Essay 39 (Planning for the future)

Some people consider thinking about and planning for the future to be a waste of time.  They argue that people should simply live in the moment.  Do you agree or disagree?  Use at least one personal example in your response.

Many people believe that setting goals for the future and making plans to achieve them is beneficial for succeeding in life.  However, there is another line of thought which advices people to lead a meaningful and effective life in the present and not bother much about the future.  I reckon that a close examination of both the perspectives is necessary to decide the better view of life.

On the one hand, having a definite plan for the future is a great motivating factor for people to work harder and achieve their goals.  To be precise, it would prompt people to think about their own abilities and make an extra effort to realise their dreams.  For example, if a high school student dreams of becoming a doctor he may have to work harder than other students to qualify for a medical school.  The plan for his future would prompt him to go an extra mile to attain his aim.  This would mean that planning for the future is not an unreasonable idea.

On the other hand, in many instances planning for the future, some believe, is not very sensible and many unforeseen events in life can turn things against one’s plan.  For instance, people often plan their future and make huge investments in terms of money and other resources.  It is likely that many of these plans do not work according to people’s designs and, as a result, they can feel distressed.

An analysis of both the views seems to present elements of practical points for a meaningful life.  Nonetheless, I am inclined to favour the idea that it is unnecessary to bother much about the future because of the uncertainties life can offer.  Although planning for the future can motivate people, failure to realise their dreams can seriously affect their morale.

In short, making the most out of the opportunities available each day is the ideal way to safeguard people from being overly anxious about the future.