Reconsideration

I had a comment posted regarding the column Brevity is the soul of wit. The contributor pointed out that perhaps I was being a bit harsh on the idea of a 5 year plan. And re-reading my blog, I think that that was a correct assessment. I think that I have tried the 5 year plan to no avail because my life has gone through alot of change over the past 10 years in many ways that I could not have anticipated. Had I stuck to my five year plans, I would have missed out on some fantastic experiences. The goals of the plans did get met - I got my PhD in five years and I am on track for a job search this fall (5 years of being a post-doc and staff scientist) which is what I expected. However, none of the other things that I had in mind really came to pass - one example.

I wanted to own a house by now - but being in grad school and following science after grad school is not lucrative. However, had I stayed as a post-doc in Georgia - I could have had a house by now. Instead, I took a job up here that offered alot more opportunity for professional growth and computational experience. So no house. But I like my job and I like DC and I think that had a house been a higher priority, I would have not taken this job and I would have deeply regretted choosing a material thing (the house) over a deeply rewarding experience.

For others, the balance and rewards may be different - but in my mind - you only go around once. Five year plans can help one have a definitive set of goals. But my concern is that "the plan" can lead to a single-mindedness. So I have scrapped the 5 year plan for a general goal - once I have found my job this fall/winter (the previous goal), I will take the next 5 years to put myself in the best financial footing possible to allow a good ol' fashioned 40-year old mid-life crisis at the end of the next 5 year cycle!

Maybe the Peace Corps? Moving to Australia? Going for the gold in academics? Entering the private sector? Vanishing for a year? The possibilities are endless and completely dependent upon having a financial cushion. So there it is: my 2008-2012 5 year plan.