Planning beats wishing … all the time!
Human beings have a natural desire to make wishes. We have always been fascinated by the idea of wishing and the possibility of our wishes being fulfilled. Throughout history, people from all walks of life have always made wishes. Myths, stories and legends have been created about wishing. My favorite one as a little boy was that of Aladdin and the lamp. As I grew up, my parents introduced me to the idea of making a wish as I blew out the candles on my birthday. I remember wishing for many different things: secret power, heroic talents, world peace, fast horses, global travel, sleek cars, more intelligence, eternal life, more friends, perfect health for all the people I knew, .. I mean, I was a kid and my wishes were unlimited!
As I have grown older, I have come to the understanding that planning beats wishing. Most of the things I wished for never came to pass but almost all the things I planned for became reality. When I planned my studies with the goal of making it to the university, it happened. When I planned to get a visa and come to the United States, it happened. When I planned to go to graduate school and get my Masters degree, it happened. When I planned to go to my first NBA basketball game, my first broadway performance, my first opera night, all these things happened. When I planned to learn how to drive and buy an SUV, it happened. When I planned to grow spiritually, mentally and professionally, it happened. When I planned to teach at a University, it happened. Planning, therefore, beats wishing… all the time!
My English friends say that if wishes were horses then beggars would ride. If wishing could make things happen, then even the most destitute people would have everything they wanted. In order to get what you want you’ve got to go beyond wishing to planning. Henry Ford said that if you fail to plan you plan to fail. Bring out your planner today and make some concrete plans. Planning beats wishing… all the time!
