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Original poster

Do you have a five year plan? Is that a thing in real life? That real people do?

53 replies

MsCunk · 04/03/2023 20:29

If I went back in time to speak to my 2018 self, there's simply no way she would believe the 2023 reality. Too many changes to list, but include big ones like leaving a religion, divorcing, and coming out as lesbian.

I've no intentions of making any drastic changes within the next 5 years, but who knows really. My plans include getting a house in the country and possibly chickens. Ageing gracefully. Potentially more sleep, but this is never a certainty.

Do you have any firm plans you'd like to execute in your life during the next 5 years, or is this merely a terrible interview question and not worth one's time considering?

OP posts:

Aftjbtibg · 04/03/2023 21:17

I had a plan 5 years ago that included a baby, getting married, another baby and a house. Now that I have those things I have no idea what I want in the next 5 years, maybe to survive with my sanity intact…..

carriedout · 04/03/2023 21:19

Yes, sort of feels natural to me to look ahead that sort of timescale. It is not detailed like a project plan, but I have ideas of what I'm hoping to do. Things usually change though!

dudsville · 04/03/2023 21:19

I used to, though not as formal as that. If i realised something wasn't working then I'd simply decide that it would change, that it would somehow be different in so many years, and that alone opened me up to possibilities i wouldn't otherwise have considered. I'm now at a time of life where all my ducks are snuggled into their happy places and I'm coasting, but it's a good idea.

Aphrathestorm · 04/03/2023 21:20

I've always had them. Also did the letter to myself in 10 years sealed and opened on zero birthdays.

If I hadn't I don't think I'd have got on with and achieved my goals.

Now I've done the big things like family, career, house the things on the list seem frivolous or narcissistic maybe like countries to visit or do a phd.

Ginger1982 · 04/03/2023 21:24

chipsandpeas · 04/03/2023 20:39

i only have a 3-5 year plan when it comes to holidays

This! 😂

HippeePrincess · 04/03/2023 21:25

I did do and I managed to complete it and more, one element took 6 months longer than 5 years. I don’t have a current one other than doing up our house, I’d like to just enjoy my achievements for a bit.

Coffeaddict · 04/03/2023 21:26

I do but I'm also aware that any plan can be destroyed by a variety of factors. For example plan to convert attic by freeing up some equity when we remortage in 3 years to give each of the kids their own rooms. However there are now so many factors to consider, ie house prices and interest rates that it is a vague concept rather then a plan.

I also have an idea of how to get next promotion which will take 4-5 years but I work in higher education and given how everything is going with the unions at the moment who knows if that promotion route will still be an option.

museumum · 04/03/2023 21:33

I’ve never had one. I tend to go with the flow. But I do grab opportunities that arise and I’m also not adverse to change so if I find something not working for me I look to change it.

Girasoli · 04/03/2023 21:33

Me! I love a plan.

museumum · 04/03/2023 21:33

*averse!

Wednesdaysotherchild · 04/03/2023 21:37

I used to be then ttc and infertility hit and after 10+ miscarriages in 3 years I no longer have any sense of control over my own life any more. I hope to still be alive in 5 years time. I hope that things are better than they are right now.

WorkCleanRepeat · 04/03/2023 21:47

Yes I do and I know a couple of other people that do too.

MyMachineAndMe · 04/03/2023 21:54

I don't have one. Any time I've ever had a plan something's come up and made it all go to shit so now I don't bother. Instead, we just live and see what happens.

ssd · 04/03/2023 21:56

Oh christ who really has a plan? I couldn't tell you what im having for dinner tomorrow never mind a life plan.

Honestly

AtseneGatnalp · 04/03/2023 21:58

I basically live from day to day and deal with things as they happen. Though I can do that more easily now that my children have left home. Until then, my sole aim was to find ways to pay school fees and keep them at their schools. Now that this is over, I'm happy to have no plan at all.

CrapBucket · 04/03/2023 21:59

I'm amazed at the people saying 'yes of course' - I definitely don't have a plan. I mean I know I want to get divorced from my ex and I want to change my career. But I don't have a plan for the next 5 years. My plan has always been to raise my kids I suppose.

HashBrownandBeans · 04/03/2023 22:00

I started my 5 year plan to increase my earning potential about 3 years ago by changing career. I took a pay cut to jump sector. I’ve gone up 10k in that time(still on a lower wage than most though). Determined to earn 40k a year in my 40s(I’ve a way to go yet). I was in minimum wage jobs for years and years. It’s been a hard slog and I’ve changed jobs three times to climb the ladder. I started a new role 4 weeks ago and I feel a bit lost at the moment but I’m planning on staying here for a good few years.

Mutabiliss · 04/03/2023 22:02

Christ no, I'm quite content as I am.

The furthest I'll go is that I intend to find a new job in the next 2-3 years, and I'd like to move to a bigger house in about 5-6 years. But there's no plan, if it's meant to happen I'll work towards those changes naturally and if not something else will happen instead.

gohomeroger1 · 04/03/2023 22:04

Yep I had a 5 year plan when I met my now husband which I told him.
Within those 5 years, we moved in, got engaged, got married and had a baby. The next 5 year plan was to have a 2nd baby, do extension and for me to get a job that has prospects.

Have 2 years left and 2nd baby is 18 months old, just done extension and have started job applications the past month or so.

I love a list though and function better with a plan or goals to focus on.

PacificallyRequested · 04/03/2023 22:05

I started to make a three year plan once, but I lost the notebook I wrote it in so that was that.
I just coast along really. There's stuff I'd like to do, if it happens great, if not no loss I'll be off doing something else instead.

CandleInTheStorm · 04/03/2023 22:06

I have goals I'd like to achieve but I don't believe in 5 year plans because I grow so much as a person. The person I am now isn't who I was 5 years ago so how could I possibly make a plan!

Rowthe · 04/03/2023 22:07

Yes.

Mine include where I expect to be with my mortgage.
Work situation and holidays

SquirrelSoShiny · 04/03/2023 22:09

I know I need one but at the minute I can't see the word for the trees!

MissyB1 · 04/03/2023 22:10

Dh and I are mid 50s we definitely have a 5 year plan. Dh will officially retire at 60 from the NHS, but go back part time probably. I will retire also but do a bit of voluntary work. We will downsize our house and live closer to town.

ItsRainingCatsAndDogsAgain · 04/03/2023 22:11

No, more of a 5 minute plan, if I'm lucky.

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