Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business manager or employee—or currently unemployed—you need a plan in order to achieve your goals. As the saying goes, “Failure to plan means planning to fail.”

That’s not to say that plans are carved in granite and can’t be changed. In the chaotic situation that affects most of the world today—from the global view down to issues faced by our own local communities—change and unpredictability have become the norm. This might tempt you to put your life “on hold” until things stabilize somewhat, and that temptation is understandable.

Understandable, but not a good idea. As we used to say around home, “When things get back to normal, we’ll … But, wait …What if this is normal?”

Flexible planning makes excellent sense if you hope to obtain and maintain a stable source of income and a satisfying work life. If you’re good at planning and have the time and objectivity to work through the issues that might come up, you can do it on your own. Otherwise, you might want to consult a professional who provides career and/or life coaching. Either way, the sooner you initiate the process, the sooner you’ll see progress toward your goals and increase your sense of being in control of at least part of your life!

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when getting started on your plan: What do I really want? Do I believe I can have it? What do I think might stand in my way, and what can I do about that? Who might be willing and able to help me?