Planning for an Unpredictable Future
In the time of COVID-19 it can seem nearly impossible to imagine what the next few months to a year will bring. This can cause some concern around making plans for the future, short or long term. How do we plan for an unpredictable future? The first thing is to accept what we cannot control. COVID-19 has taught us a lot: how to be flexible, how to surrender, and how to prioritize what truly matters.
I’m sure we all had expectations for what this year would bring us. Perhaps you had an exciting trip planned, or were saving up for a new car, or intended to move across the country. Or maybe you just wanted to be able to pay your bills without worry. Obviously, 2020 had different plans in mind. It’s important to understand that it is quite alright to grieve for the future you had planned for. Though it’s not a death, the loss of what you were planning for, hoping for, and excited for is in itself a loss. The disappointment is real.
So how can we navigate this unpredictable future? First, we can accept there is only so much we can control and that is where our focus lies. Then, identify what it is you want or need moving forward. Now you can identify the steps you can take right now in order to move towards accomplishing what you seek. Then take action and repeat the process as necessary. By placing your attention on what you can control you are empowering yourself to make it happen. Surrender to the rest.