"To plan or not to plan?" That is the question we often ask ourselves. The future is a concept that appears to be constantly out of reach, a mirage that forms the core of our hopes, dreams and fears. Understanding this concept is a crucial step towards planning our future effectively.

It's important to understand that the future is essentially an illusion created by our minds. It's us in the present moment, recalling a memory and projecting it into the future. This mental activity always happens in the now. So, if the future is an illusion, then what is the purpose of planning for it?

Well, the act of planning is one of the main reasons why our mind generates this illusion of the future. We all have to map out our future actions if we want to have control over our lives - our movements, relationships, meals, projects and more. Planning, coupled with memory and past experiences, aids us in steering our lives in the direction we desire.

Your reasons for planning may vary. You might plan for survival or strive for something greater. Regardless, planning serves to give you direction. It's important to remember though, that conscious daily decisions are the real driving force behind making things happen. Planning does not guarantee that things will happen as per your blueprint. The illusion of the future might not always align with your current reality. This means that planning, being part of the illusion, is not always synonymous with reality. So, how do we use planning properly when we know it’s only an illusion?

The secret lies in flexibility. The more adaptable you are to changing your plans when they no longer align with your objectives or when your environment can't provide what you need to execute your plan, the better. Always plan, but be aware that only short-term plans may come to fruition. Long-term plans only work for those who are devoted to their objectives. This devotion requires rigorous discipline, consistency, focused attention, and other skills. Mastering the process of short-term planning will create the habits needed to excel at long-term planning.

It's crucial to recognize that reality can sync with your plan, but it can also be totally out of sync with your plans, and there's nothing you can do about it except adapt your plans.

Consider this example: when a couple plans for their wedding day, they really don’t know what reality will present to them. The day might be beautiful and sunny, exactly as they desired, or it could rain, be windy or even a storm could occur. When the conditions change, they must adapt their plans accordingly.

So, plan only to adapt, never assume your plan is the absolute reality. Be prepared for change and remain flexible. This is the key to correctly planning for the future.

As we conclude, we recommend you watch a video on how to not fear the future. This resource will provide the foundational understanding needed to fully comprehend the concept of the future and will reinforce the ideas discussed in this post. Remember, the future isn't something to fear, but rather an idea to understand and adapt to.