Is it better to follow a plan or to follow opportunities?

[jim schmidt]

Continuing on the luck discussion, it strikes me that there is an overall choice that most people make that has an impact on success -- whether to make and stick to a life plan or to follow emerging opportunities wherever they lead.

As I've said before, my career path was largely set by a prank phone call that opened a new world for me. Over and over, altering my path in the face of an emerging opportunity has led to greater success, both monetary and otherwise. It hasn't always worked (I once traveled cross country with nothing but a duffle bag to take a job with a juvenile delinquency rehabilitation program that was really a creepy cult) but I credit it with allowing me to retire at 51 and start the riding school.

So what's better, sticking to the plan or grabbing the passing opportunity?

[gospeed81]

have done both to some extent, but have always preffered to stick to a plan

that being said and staring down the barrel of some ridiculous finals, grabbing the coattail of some great opportunity sounds pretty good right now

I think the odds are longer with random opportunity, while most plans are nearly surefire, especially if they involve education or training, and you are willing to actually see the steps to the set goal, and put in the hard work for each of those steps

[BusaDave]

Don't mean to cop out but to me it's a combination of both. In my case the problem is being financially successful enough at the opportunities to make returning to the risk of the plan higher and more difficult. The choice to go back to being broke (potentially) is hard to overcome...hence the problem with a belief in failure blocking the effort.

[gospeed81]

Originally Posted by BusaDave

Don't mean to cop out but to me it's a combination of both. In my case the problem is being financially successful enough at the opportunities to make returning to the risk of the plan higher and more difficult. The choice to go back to being broke (potentially) is hard to overcome...hence the problem with a belief in failure blocking the effort.

yeah, what he said

[Gaolee]

I followed a plan up until I had a family. Then I followed opportunities. Draw your own conclusions.

[Mr. Whippy]

False dichotomy.

Rigidly adhering to either path is a fools game. Flexible plan to take advantage of unforseen opportunities seems to be more pragmatic.

[acalliste]

I would think that following a plan would be better. I've never tried it though, so I can't be sure.

[Gaolee]

[Friigg]

I look at it like an investment, because it is an invetment in my future.
It is Risk vs Reward.

A solid plan is moderate risk, moderate reward.
Opporotunities are higher risk, higher reward.

How you balance those depeneds on your comfort level, this generally changes over time. As people get older, they are less likely to take the risks, because there is more to lose and less time to gain it back.

[Gaolee]

Or, if you are like me, you wait until you have fewer responsibilities to people depending on you. Once I get the kid off the payroll and supporting himself, I will take a whole lot bigger risks. My wife has either been at home with him or in school since we were married, so I have not been able to take risks without putting them at risk, too. So, I don't do it. She will be reentering the workforce sometime this year, making it a whole lot easier to take risks since my setbacks won't put her in jeopardy.

[jim schmidt]

Except that you're assuming that opportunity equals risk. I'm not sure that's true. Sometimes putting all your eggs in one basket is risky. Just ask auto workers, for example. I do agree that change looks riskier. I'm just not convinced that it really is.

Anyway, I never thought of it as taking risks, so much as changing plans.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Having a general plan, or long term goal... then taking advantage of opportunities to achieve it.

In my case, the goal was to someday own a small farm out in the country and live a self-sufficient lifestyle. I achieved that by taking advantage of opportunities... such as having the chance to buy the house in Seattle I was renting, then selling it when a good offer came along. Then taking the money and buying some property out on the Peninsula, living there and improving it, then selling that and using the money to buy another property, and so on until I ended up here. If a good offer came along for this farm I'd probably do it again.

Along the way, I took advantage of opportunities to make money by running a sound (live music/PA) company and booking agency (bands/clubs) in Seattle during the booming music scene there, restoring classic vehicles and selling them for a profit, doing backhoe and bulldozer work, whatever I could do to make a buck with the equipment and skills I accumulated along the way. Now I make a decent living doing what I like when I like, where I like.

Though I worked for several large auto companies as a master mechanic and shop manager during the first half of life, I tried not to become permanently commited to being an 'employee' because I'm a cranky stubborn bastard and I like things done my way... so running my own business was another 'plan', or long-term goal. Worked out OK for me.

The most important thing I learned through it all was you have to be willing to take chances and trust your own ability to make things happen. I think a lot of people are afraid to just pull up stakes and 'go for it' when the opportunities arise, so they stay with what they're doing for so long they get 'stuck'. Especially if they have a wife and/or kids. But there's just as much risk staying put with the same job or area as there is in changing careers or locales. I've seen a lot of companies go under or people get laid off after 19 years, and they're saddled with debt and mortgage and have no choice but to keep hammering away in the same old rut. And they're afraid to 'upset' the kids by changing schools and lifestyles, but many kids grow up in military families or other migratory lifestyles, they're brought up all over the world in some cases... and they turn out just fine. Maybe even more secure and capable than kids who grow up in one place.

I don't know if being an entrepreneur or 'opportunist' (but not at the expense of others) works for everyone, but I don't see why not. I believe that fear, uncertainty, and trepidation are only obstacles to be overcome. Doesn't take a lot of brains (I'm proof of that) or even busting your ass too hard (I'm proof of that too)... just the ability to recognize good opportunities when they come along, and being willing to 'go with the flow'.

[FictionalHero]

I dunno - wouldn't the best plan be one that allows opportunity to show itself? Whats that old Japanese saying - the willow is mightier then the oak because the willow chooses to bend with the wind?

[bumblebee]

I always try to work a plan...but am always receptive to see how an emerging opportunity can work into my plan

[SXSMITH]

Opperknockity only tunes once. (rim shot)

Grab it with both hands or you'll miss a lot in life.