After being
extremely busy at work for past months, it’s finally time for a deserved break
away from work this week. Thanks to also Hari Raya holiday, I am able to have a
10-day long stay home/Singapore vacation. Frankly, I cannot remember when was the
last I took a long leave not to have overseas tour.
extremely busy at work for past months, it’s finally time for a deserved break
away from work this week. Thanks to also Hari Raya holiday, I am able to have a
10-day long stay home/Singapore vacation. Frankly, I cannot remember when was the
last I took a long leave not to have overseas tour.
In the
past, I will think that it is a waste to take leave not to have an overseas
tour. And taking leave by staying in Singapore also means working at home too, sometimes.
past, I will think that it is a waste to take leave not to have an overseas
tour. And taking leave by staying in Singapore also means working at home too, sometimes.
Now I think differently. Taking leave is an equivalent of “recharging” of
battery. Forget entirely about work during this recharge period, focus on doing
the things you like and being with the people you enjoy with.
battery. Forget entirely about work during this recharge period, focus on doing
the things you like and being with the people you enjoy with.
The question arises. To Plan or Not to Plan for this 10-days break?
Definition of Planning
Before we dive into this topic, let us explore the formal definition of
“planning”. According to Wikipedia,
“planning”. According to Wikipedia,
“Planning (also called
forethought) is the process of thinking about and
organizing the activitiess required to achieve a
desired goal. It involves the creation and maintenance of a plan, such
as psychological aspects that require conceptual skills.
There are even a couple of tests to measure someone’s capability of planning
well. As such, planning is a fundamental property of
intelligent behavior.”
forethought) is the process of thinking about and
organizing the activitiess required to achieve a
desired goal. It involves the creation and maintenance of a plan, such
as psychological aspects that require conceptual skills.
There are even a couple of tests to measure someone’s capability of planning
well. As such, planning is a fundamental property of
intelligent behavior.”
Equally important to planning is the word “Forecasting”, commonly used
also in the investment world. Let us see what the difference between both
terms.
also in the investment world. Let us see what the difference between both
terms.
- Planning predicts what the future should look like for
multiple scenarios. - Forecasting can be described as
predicting what the future will look like.
To Plan or Not to Plan?
Now back
to the question of plan or not for my stay in SG vacation. Looking at the
definition of “Planning” and making fundamental re-arrangements as follows.
to the question of plan or not for my stay in SG vacation. Looking at the
definition of “Planning” and making fundamental re-arrangements as follows.
1) Intelligent behaviour 2) Think 3) Goal 4) Conceptual 5) Organise
So Planning
is an intelligent behaviour. Being an organise person, and since I love to be
intelligent, then I better plan. LOL.
is an intelligent behaviour. Being an organise person, and since I love to be
intelligent, then I better plan. LOL.
Don’t Plan at All
Anyhow, I
have to agree that sometimes, the most fun things happen in life when you do
not plan at all and enjoy the unexpected surprises.
have to agree that sometimes, the most fun things happen in life when you do
not plan at all and enjoy the unexpected surprises.
But maybe
not appropriate for me this time, since the main objective of this short break is
NOT themed “adventurous” or “doing nothing”! Again it relates to your
primary aim and how many people are involved.
not appropriate for me this time, since the main objective of this short break is
NOT themed “adventurous” or “doing nothing”! Again it relates to your
primary aim and how many people are involved.
Ask
yourself the below two questions underlined!
yourself the below two questions underlined!
What is My Goal?
Since I am
traveling due to work for most of the time in the last few months, my primary
goal for this week is to :
traveling due to work for most of the time in the last few months, my primary
goal for this week is to :
1) Have leisure time with my wife,
just the two of us
just the two of us
2) Spend time with kids, relatives and
friends
friends
3) Have my own time to do the things I
like
like
Who is Involves?
If it just
involves myself, then planning is of lesser significance, since I can decide
whatever I want to do, even on the day itself without being responsible to
anyone.
involves myself, then planning is of lesser significance, since I can decide
whatever I want to do, even on the day itself without being responsible to
anyone.
“I like to
walk, I walk… I like to sit…I sit, I like to run, I run.”
walk, I walk… I like to sit…I sit, I like to run, I run.”
But it’s
not the case for me! I have my family, relatives and friends to contend with.
not the case for me! I have my family, relatives and friends to contend with.
This is when planning is usually more
relevant and important when the impact is bigger and more people are involved.
relevant and important when the impact is bigger and more people are involved.
So in this case, I need to plan for this break.
Simple Plan
A good plan
is a simple plan!
is a simple plan!
Always
relate back to the fundamental goal. We do not want to achieve too many things
a day.
relate back to the fundamental goal. We do not want to achieve too many things
a day.
Plan not more than 3 main “things of satisfaction”
for a day.
for a day.
If my
priority is time with my wife, focus on time with my wife and ignore on all the
fanciful additions to that day.
priority is time with my wife, focus on time with my wife and ignore on all the
fanciful additions to that day.
For e.g. a
simple movie and dinner will just do very well at a relaxed pace. DO NOT EVER
RUSH, and try to squeeze as many things as possible in that day. It will
backfire because you will be tired. You are not in a competition to see who can
finish the most number of different things in a day.
simple movie and dinner will just do very well at a relaxed pace. DO NOT EVER
RUSH, and try to squeeze as many things as possible in that day. It will
backfire because you will be tired. You are not in a competition to see who can
finish the most number of different things in a day.
If it is
time with kids, a swim or jog or walk in the park together with them more than
enough. You probably do not even need to bring them to the most sophisticated
water theme park, because your ultimate objective is to spend time with them. Unless
your aim is you want your kids to experience the “new theme park” then it is
different.
time with kids, a swim or jog or walk in the park together with them more than
enough. You probably do not even need to bring them to the most sophisticated
water theme park, because your ultimate objective is to spend time with them. Unless
your aim is you want your kids to experience the “new theme park” then it is
different.
Furthermore,
if it is just 2 to 3 things to achieve in a day, it is definitely easier to attain
to provide you a good sense of satisfaction.
if it is just 2 to 3 things to achieve in a day, it is definitely easier to attain
to provide you a good sense of satisfaction.
Remember: “Focus, Prioritise and Keep it
simple.”
simple.”
Don’t Over Plan
Do not
over-plan such as drafting a detail time table with hourly time slots for what
I am going to do for each day throughout the week.
over-plan such as drafting a detail time table with hourly time slots for what
I am going to do for each day throughout the week.
It is
going to be stressful to meet all targets, since things can change to disrupt
the schedules. The weather, your health, the traffic etc all can be unpredictable.
It will also be too time
consuming to set up an excel spreadsheet to include all the time slots too. It
is NOT Necessary Really!.
going to be stressful to meet all targets, since things can change to disrupt
the schedules. The weather, your health, the traffic etc all can be unpredictable.
It will also be too time
consuming to set up an excel spreadsheet to include all the time slots too. It
is NOT Necessary Really!.
Similarly
as Parents, we should not give our kids a rigid and compact time-table to adhere
or one enrichment class after another during weekends or holidays. It will not do
your kids any good.
as Parents, we should not give our kids a rigid and compact time-table to adhere
or one enrichment class after another during weekends or holidays. It will not do
your kids any good.
Backup Plan – It is in the Mind
Some
people says, it is important to have a backup plan. I totally agree. But backup plan is only as useful
as a positive mind.
people says, it is important to have a backup plan. I totally agree. But backup plan is only as useful
as a positive mind.
For
instance, you have planned for an Outdoor Sentosa Island getaway. Unfortunately
it rains before you left your house. Or
maybe even worst, the moment you reach Sentosa, it started to rain. Then the traffic
starts to get massively heavy, your kids start to whine….moods turn bad and you
start blaming your partner that he or she should have check the weather
earlier, or should have had backup plan that if it rains we should go to
another indoor escapade immediately. You were fuming that everything just goes
wrong.
instance, you have planned for an Outdoor Sentosa Island getaway. Unfortunately
it rains before you left your house. Or
maybe even worst, the moment you reach Sentosa, it started to rain. Then the traffic
starts to get massively heavy, your kids start to whine….moods turn bad and you
start blaming your partner that he or she should have check the weather
earlier, or should have had backup plan that if it rains we should go to
another indoor escapade immediately. You were fuming that everything just goes
wrong.
In most cases, whatever backup plans you have is
not going to help if it is the mind is controlling all the emotions.
not going to help if it is the mind is controlling all the emotions.
If you
have a positive mind, you will think “so what if it rains? As long as the
family is together!” or “this is even more fun as we brave the rain like never
before” or “whole family starts singing in the car during a traffic jam!”
have a positive mind, you will think “so what if it rains? As long as the
family is together!” or “this is even more fun as we brave the rain like never
before” or “whole family starts singing in the car during a traffic jam!”
My Simple & Focus Plan
Ok, enough
of long-windedness, below is my plan for the week.
of long-windedness, below is my plan for the week.
Fri (Hari Raya) – Family Eat Eat Eat
– Dim sum
breakfast for my whole family. Mother in law love dim sum. She had been working
hard while the helper is not around.
breakfast for my whole family. Mother in law love dim sum. She had been working
hard while the helper is not around.
– Shopping
for my kids’ stuffs
for my kids’ stuffs
–
Steamboat dinner at home!
Steamboat dinner at home!
Sat – Relatives Gathering
–
Housework
Housework
– Bring mum,
aunties, cousins, and family for Zi Char dinner. Then drop by my aunt place.
aunties, cousins, and family for Zi Char dinner. Then drop by my aunt place.
Sun – Time for Inner Peace
– Wife and
kids go church, while I go for a haircut.
kids go church, while I go for a haircut.
– Family
jogging to nearby park
jogging to nearby park
– Family
dinner nearby
dinner nearby
Mon – Romantic Time for Me and Wife
– Movie
time. Me and wife only.
time. Me and wife only.
– Catch up
with my ex-boss – a retiree who is active in church work. Wife is
joining.
with my ex-boss – a retiree who is active in church work. Wife is
joining.
– Japanese
dinner with wife
dinner with wife
Tue – Time for Myself and Friends
– Wife
working. Time alone for myself to relax.
working. Time alone for myself to relax.
– Catch up
with my ex-boss and his son.
with my ex-boss and his son.
Wed – Family Adventure
– River
Safari!
Safari!
Thu – Nostalgic Hobbies for Me & Wife
– KTV
– Shopping
Fri – Relax Mind and Body
– Massage
session with wife
session with wife
Sat – No plans yet
Sun – Go to airport to fetch our helper
For flexibility
sake, in between daily schedules, I will slot in the below-mentioned
activities, as and when I like, or as and when time permits.
sake, in between daily schedules, I will slot in the below-mentioned
activities, as and when I like, or as and when time permits.
–
Exercising (gym, swim or jog)
Exercising (gym, swim or jog)
– Reading
& Coffee
& Coffee
–
Blogging
Blogging
–
Listening to music
Listening to music
– Talking
to my kids
to my kids
– Dinner,
groceries and “Walk Walk” at nearby mall
groceries and “Walk Walk” at nearby mall
Rolf’s Summary
So to plan
or not, in my opinion, we can probably consider:
or not, in my opinion, we can probably consider:
- What are our objectives?
- Who are involved?
- Simple plan – focus on less
than 3 main things daily that can bring satisfaction - Positive mind is most important
- Have flexibility in the
schedules
Essentially, this post is also
for us to reflect if sometimes our investments, career or even in our life, did we
actually over plan so much that we are forgetting what our fundamental
objectives or priorities are.
for us to reflect if sometimes our investments, career or even in our life, did we
actually over plan so much that we are forgetting what our fundamental
objectives or priorities are.
Below some
pictures from River Safari.
pictures from River Safari.
Hi Rolf,
Sounds like a good plan for me 🙂 Usually me and wife have a lot of impromptu arrangements, but I think that will be harder once we have kids. It'll take a whole village to raise a kid, so they say, haha
Enjoy your well deserved break!
Hi LP,
Haha … a village to raise a kid. Not really lar, it's not that scary. Singapore really need more local bred children.
Since u r financial savvy, I will use another way to encourage u on children.
For every effort u invested to raise a kid, the return is (I guaranteed) more than what u r going to get from ur best stock performer.
Impromptu arrangements are the best! I love it and use to have it already for many years. But then again it's more difficult now when more people are involved. It just different stages of life.
Hi Rolf
Looks like you had an enjoyable family time today in river safari. Im sure the kids are all having fun and tired.
Im also currently thinking how to utilize my leftover leave for the year. I know its still early days but I better start planning because the first half of the year was packed. Its time to wind up heading to national day and christmas.
Hi B,
Yes, it's relaxing for the mind. Considering Sg is so warm, I like River Safari better than Zoo bcos of more shelters and ac areas. Haha. Nah.. Zoo's animals are more interesting.
Hope you can have a wonderful break if not overseas but in SG. Ur family deserves it. Better to spend here more to inject our economy also. haha..
If ur boss object to the leave, just tell him that u really need this so as to perform better when u r back (even when u r not!).
Hi Rolf
Good idea to have an unplanned plan, or a plan with no plan but a simple plan…Wait, am I confused? 🙂
Positive mind indeed is important.
So nice to see you enjoying your family time. Cheers!
Hi FD,
U r crystal clear to come up with a confused statement! 🙂
I enjoy simple and yet sophisticated somehow.
Ya… If mind not positive, then better have a positive balance sheet.. Haha
Thanks and I hope you can enjoy some wonderful time during the coming National Holiday break too!
Stay Frugal, Fun and Fabulous!
We can ask Jim Rogers at his next public seminar what is his greatest investment return that brings him great joy. LOL!
Renowned investment guru Jim Rogers has said it before and he will say it again: His best investments are his two daughters, Hilton Augusta and Beeland Anderson.
"You can ask me in 30 years if it's a good investment but so far it's the best investment I've ever made.
"They make me very happy and if you can find anything makes you happy, it's priceless. I don't know of many things like that.
"I could buy a diamond or stock but it wouldn't make me happy all day long, every day."
Mr Rogers says his daughters, who are 12 and seven, have taught him more than any other investment could have, about life, people and even his parents.
This post is special one for the students.By reading best research paper reviews they will know the importance of plan in the life and I am sure that they will also plan some small goals for success in the life.