Why do we plan?
Can anybody make a good decision without enough information? No way! When you plan, you gather the information necessary to make a thoughtful, well-rounded decision. You’re aware of the challenges and possible problems. That helps you make better decisions each step of the way. We plan to talk about your strengths and talents, and to decide how you want to live your life; to assist you with choice making; to listen to what you want to communicate; and to acknowledge your choices, interests, dreams, and visions.
1. To talk about your strengths and talents, and to decide how you want to live your life
No one’s good at everything, but everyone’s good at SOMETHING!
Person-centered planning is one way of figuring out where you’re going and what kinds of support you need to get there. Part of it is asking you, your family and friends and people who work with you about the things you like to do and can do well. It is also finding out what things get in the way of doing the things you like to do.
2. To assist you with choice making
You have a right to make choices. Many problems or goals in your life will be complicated, but the right plan will help break those problems down into smaller, more doable choices. A plan will also make it easier to say “no” to things that are not as important to you. If something is not aligned with your plan, then it’s not worth your time right now and you can feel free to say “no” to it.
3. To listen to what you want to communicate
The plan is all about you! Coming together to plan is a great way to make sure the focus is on you. Planning your life gives you control. If you create a plan then you get to make choices and decisions, rather than leaving things up to chance, or worse yet, letting others make decisions for you. What’s keeping you from doing the things you want? And what can your team do to help you with them?
4. To acknowledge your choices, interests, dreams, and visions
It not only gives you permission to live your life according to how you want, but it also gives you the tools to do it. No one can predict the future and there will always be surprises, but planning gives you a much clearer idea about what lies ahead. What would be your best future? What do you want to do? What do you want in life? Remember, there are no right or wrong answers!
Come to the table with dreams, and through planning, we’ll turn them into concrete steps. Person-centered planning is as adaptable as the person at the center. Instead of pretending there are no bumps in the road, let’s prepare to roll with the punches.
Ready to get started? Register for a person-centered planning training session today.
