Family Planning

Today I was part of a team that presented - the topic that we were given was Family Planning. Not the kind of family planning that you might think of, but the kind that sets your family up for the next week, month, year, five years and so on.

Here's how it went.

1) Begin with the end in mind.
What a wonderful phrase - and a great reminder to start something, knowing where you wanted to go and how you were going to get there. One of the presenters used the analogy of a jigsaw puzzle. If everyone was given a single piece and they had to put it together - it would be near impossible to complete. However, if they had the big picture to refer to - it could be completed - it would have taken some time - but definitely possible. So when planning - think of the end result and use goals and short term goals to get there. Begin with the end in mind.

2) Treasure Map
I talked about a treasure map that was given by Thomas S Monson in a talk given in 2003. The map had three simple parts 1) Learn from the past, 2) Prepare for the future and 3) Live in the present. Firstly, take the good bits from the past and bring those into 2011 and try and repeat if not enhance them. Secondly, put your plans together for the future and don't look back, and lastly, live in the 'now'. Don't wait for a special occasion or a special somebody because if we keep waiting for tomorrow, we'll end up with a whole heap of wasted yesterdays.... Get your treasure map or your road map out and go for it.

3) Bruce Lee
My friend Mandy spoke. I chose her because she is a single mum of four who happens to be one of the most organised people I know on the planet! She spoke about her marriage ending when she was pregnant with her fourth child, and left with another three under five and how she not only coped but how she has to be organised to do it. When she talks about having the "end" in mind, for her it's referring to the next hour to bedtime, making it through the next day or getting through the next week without little to no money. She spoke about the need to have a house of order, one of prayer, study, love and so much more. I always learn from her, and today she shared a quote by Bruce Lee that is a keeper - "Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do." Its not enough to know all of this information, and how we are meant to do things or even tips on how to get through - we have to apply it and do it.

4) 99 Years old
Get a piece of paper. Now imagine that you have woken to a beautiful morning and you are 99 years old. Personally, I have given my friends permission to run me over when I get to 65, but that's another story..... Now write a list of all the things you wish you had done more of or less of. The answers today ranged from less growling through to sky diving.....interesting ;-) Next, write four things you would do now so that it would change your life when you get to 99 years old.... these form the base of the goals that we should have in out lives. The last thing to do is to take your current age and subtract that from 99 and that shows you how much time you to have to achieve those things you need to do to be happy... but get started now ;-)

5) SMART planning
Everyone needs a SMART plan. What's a SMART plan? SMART is a well-known acronym that is used in leadership and training sessions throughout the world and can be changed to suit the audience. Today, it was presented as follows: S is for specific - make sure it is clear and tailored to something specific, M is for measurable - make sure you will be able to measure success or room to improve, A for achieveable - don't set plans that are impossible and unlikely to be achieved, R is for realistic - make your plans real and not hollywood like - because there are no happy ever afters unless you make them... ;-) and T is for Timely - keep a timeframe so you you know when you want to have something down by.

Well, hope there was something in there for you. There was plenty for me.... and grateful that I am surrounded by people who live what they teach.

Yours in friendship,

Mxox