Should ones life be lived by careful planning or letting things happen naturally?

I pretty much let everything happen as it does. It seems to work out more often than not. I seem to be doing ok.

It was John Lennon who said “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” That pretty much says it all for me.

I have found that no matter how well I plan, some things are just going to happen and there is nothing I can do about that. Not only will some things just happen no matter what, but usually those things happen for the best – at least in the long run. So I plan what I can, let go of the rest, and try to be prepared for whatever comes my way.

If you’re gonna plan things to the T, then think of Murphy’s Law.

In my personal experience, there are some things that I cannot let happen naturally. It’s up to you to decide what those things are.

It’s never good to live by an extreme point of view. Balance is key.

May I simply answer ‘yes’? Shouldn’t it be a mix?

If you try to live by a plan all the time you will be disappointed/frustrated when things don’t work out.

If you try to live by no plan, very little will ever be accomplished.

Thus… I answer a mix ^_^

I agree with jcs007, “Balance is key”

I think it’s a good combination of both. We planned and saved and bought our first home when we were young. I think planning for your future is important financially. When we retire, our home will be paid for. We will be able to travel. All personal things can’t be planned. I could not have planned on meeting my husband the way I did. I couldn’t have imagined how great my life would be, filled with love and experiences I never could dream of.

@TheBox – yes is an answer.

I think a little of both.

Be careful what you wish for, your life experience is a result of both concious intention and subconcious needs, wants, desires, and thoughts. It’s not healthy to try to dominate your subconcious mind, it’s best to cooperate with it. It’s like a magic child that can make the impossible happen. Accept yourself, don’t regret or criticize yourself. Be who you are and enjoy the consequences. Events in life are more often created by subconcious musings than by well-planned projects.

If you don’t make a map, you won’t get to a place you want to go. But be ready to revise the map fairly often.

Little of both – me too!

greylady, how often should one revise the map?

At least once a year, more often the younger you are. You don’t have to revise it each time, just review it to make sure the destination you are working towards is still where you want to get to.

Even the most meticulous plans can be thrown off track easily. But if you don’t have an idea of where you want to go, how will you know when you’ve gotten there? Set goals, strive for success, keep your hand on the reign of life but don’t hold it too tight.

A thoughtful combination. An underlying outline—written down, so there’s no fudging it—and an open heart to ride the raucous roller-coaster and not miss opportunities that pop up unexpectedly. Too slavish adherence to the outline, and you’ll fall asleep at the wheel and/or lose your spark of joyous spontaneity. Lack of an outline means you flop around like seaweed, again, missing opportunities because your internal navigation was empty. Take a few minutes. Write down your short range and long-range goals. Get that outline down. Set yourself a reminder to look at that outline next year. How well did you do? Balance, my dear, balance.