Let’s plan and strategize

WE cannot overemphasize this basic need of ours to make

plans and strategies. If we have to develop ourselves as we should, if

we have to be truly productive and fruitful, if we have to take

advantage of everything in life, whether good or bad, to attain our

ultimate goal, then we have to plan and strategize our moves.

            Especially for the youth of today, this skill is very

necessary. We have to help them in developing this skill. We have to

rescue them from the state of being just at the mercy of

circumstances. They have to be taught how to shape their life by

having a clear vision of their goals and means, and instilling in them

a sense of direction and purpose.

            Sad to say, many times we allow ourselves to drift away

and to be carried away by external forces in our environment, leaving

us completely at their mercy. We obviously are conditioned by certain

elements, both inside and outside us, but we are meant to direct our

own lives too, since we are the captains of our own ships.

            Of course, it is God who is the main shaper of our life.

But we have to do our part. So we have to make sure that God’s

directions are adequately corresponded to not only with the

appropriate attitudes and virtues, but also with the appropriate

structures, plans and strategies that vary according to changing

circumstances.

            We should have some clear vision of our goals and means

and timetables involved. That way, we would have a better grasp of how

to identify and handle issues, problems and challenges. That way, we

would have a good sense of priority, especially nowadays when we are

faced with many competing options.

            Making plans and strategies may require some time and

effort, but it’s an investment that is all worth it. The little time

and effort required can actually multiply our time and make our

efforts more productive at the end of the day. It’s like the little

rudder that St. James talked about in his letter. (cfr. 3,4) Our plans

and strategies can have the power to accomplish great things, like a

rudder giving direction to a big boat.

            In these complicated times of ours with so many issues,

problems and challenges spewing out, the need for plans and strategies

have become more indispensable so that we can study them better and

know exactly what to do with them. The way things are now, these

issues, problems and challenges really need to be studied well, making

due consultations when necessary.

            What can help in this regard is to cultivate the practice

of making daily examinations of conscience so we can make a review of

what happened during the day and come up with the appropriate plan and

strategies for the following day.

            Since these examinations of conscience are usually done at

the end of the day when we most likely would already be tired and

exhausted, we really would need to motivate ourselves to give due

attention to this practice. That little investment of effort and

sacrifice will surely give back a tremendous return.

            We have to be wary of our tendency to simply fall into

routine, not making the appropriate offense-and-defense moves so

necessary in our life. These plans and strategies will greatly help us

to stay on the right track toward our true ultimate goal in life with

as little a distraction and deviation as possible.

            We need to have the proper plans and strategies to cope

with our need to grow in the virtues and to handle our weaknesses and

the temptations and sins that are proliferating around.

            To be sure, with plans and strategies, we would have a

greater chance not only to be clear with our goals but also and more

importantly with God himself. And that is the only thing necessary in

life in the end.