Serendipity

In my previous persona as a NJ State employee, I was responsible for project planning, among other responsibilities. The state had me trained as a "Certified Project Manager" and I knew how to develop projects, illustrate them on graphs, lay out timelines, contingencies, variables, etc. I guess my bosses saw a very organized individual in me and wanted to utilize that talent - or nobody else wanted to do it! In any case, I knew the most valuable resource - and the most unstable resource - were people. I could plot and plan tasks down to days and prepare for every contingency but my human resources would always throw me a curve. So I got good at begging, cajoling, pleading, bargaining, and anything to get the job done. I also got good at generating paper - everything looks more impressive on a long graph with critical points, etc. I discovered most people cannot really read these graphs, or they looked so complicated that they did not want to. So I would get compliments on the graph and it would be placed, carefully folded, into the back of the supervisor's notepad or briefcase - never to be seen again.


I have known many people in my life in bureaucracy who depended on plans and were sure life was better with a plan. I had one friend/supervisor who laid out her life up to when to sell her house and retire and move to Florida - and it worked out for her! She had minor setbacks, but she somehow did not let anything prevent her from her goals. She sold her house within one week (full price and a 250% profit), found a condo the next week, practically planned her retirement party and I believe is very happy with achieving the plan. I do not think she is the type to allow herself to truly relax and is probably planning her cruises, parties and possibly her funeral! I just hope she has not planned when she will 'check out.'
My life here seems to be without a plan and I tend to allow serendipity to determine what gets done each day. I still make lists of what needs to be done - I just do not put time limits on completion. Things will get done when our resources and time allow. If the day is sunny (not many of those lately), work outside. If it is too hot/rainy/buggy, work inside painting rooms, sewing, fixing whatever (something always needs fixing). Tired, not feeling well - nap. Tired of being in the house - go somewhere. The only time I need to plan ahead is when something involves another person, such as a doctor's appointment or visiting a friend. After all, just because I let serendipity rule in my life, I am sure that other people need to plan. I understand both ways.

I am still organized, just not as much with my time. And it seems things get done better now since I do not worry about completion mandates as much. At least not like I used to.