Planning Ahead

So many plans, so little time. Here are some things I notice about “planning ahead.”

1.)    When trying to “plan ahead” in the fantasy playoffs, just forget it. I’ve never succeeded in doing that, especially with injury risk (can you be certain a guy will still be healthy 3 weeks from now? No…you can never be certain.) Guys can become really really bad,

2.)    Setting a “price point” to buy/sell a stock: can be nullified by the stock never dropping/rising to that point. However, this type of planning gives you an idea of how much intrinsic value you put in the stock, gets you thinking about the stock, makes you plan your personal finances. Not a bad idea; just make sure you make the proper adjustment if it doesn’t get there.

3.)    Planning trips: tough. Wish I had done it more law school/college, when obligations to go to class are a bit “looser” than going to work. How long can you really take off? Will something come at work that forces you to miss that vacation? Which holiday to plan it around? I’m facing this very dilemma right now: How can I maximize my (deserved) vacation time to best get the most time out of it while not losing too much work time? I’m thinking November around Thanksgiving time (already gather around with my family too much as it is, not exactly my favorite holiday anyway.)

4.)    Planning 3-day weekends: Much easier. Easier in my position as it is to take just a day off work (lop off the Monday, Friday and stretch it into Saturday/Sunday.) 3-day weekends are compact weekends that can be planned pretty spontaneously, especially for someone with me with no kids, no significant other, no pets (Sorry people who have all of those, you’re missing out).

5.)    How early to plan? Also a legitimate concern. If you plan too early, things might happen between then and now that get in the way (maybe something better comes along that weekend) that gives you buyer’s remorse. Plan too late, and things get more expensive (think airline tickets). Southwest Airlines, for example, has like a magical cut-off date when their low, low rates go from attractively low to mundanely normal. There’s always Kayak.com, but even they get pretty expensive closer to the date. It’s also a fine line between “committing” to the trip v. still leaving it open. You want to be as flexible as possible, but if that’s the case you might never come to a decision and pull the trigger. This must be what marriage is like.

6.)    Planning around fantasy playoffs: Should never be a concern, but just came up recently. If I’m in the fantasy playoffs, I want to be at home watching the games/adjusting my lineup, ESPECIALLY in fantasy baseball. Sure there’s more important things than fantasy baseball, but if you can work your schedule around an awkward time, it’s probably better to do so.

7.)    Coordinating with friends. O man this could be dreadful; So many different people with different agendas, different schedules, different requirements. The more people the harder it is. The more people there are the earlier you have to plan it. Also have to expect unexpected dropouts, unexpected and uninvited “plus-ones,” etc. etc. It was so much easier back when I was a kid, just go outside and grab people playing outside or knock on their doors. (“Can Jimmy play?”)

8.)    Structure: overall, though planning ahead gives you structure in your life and something to look forward to. It makes life seem more organized, like you have more control of what’s going to happen to you, and usually it’s exciting to do something new, go out a whim, escape from the rat race for awhile.

Planning ahead note: I’m “planning ahead” to write way more for the rest of this year. The procrastination, neglect, and sheer laziness of this particular blogger has become ridiculous and unacceptable, and I will not stand for it. Later this week is Fantasy Football preview. I have a few fantasy football league titles to defend. Be here. Plan on it.

Fantasize on,

Robert Yan