"Plan the Event. Don't Plan the Outcome."

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What if you knew that the thing you will be doing in 10 years hasn’t even been invented yet?

Consider how this might shape your life and career path now…

When I was recently asked by the Sacramento Business Journal to share more about the leadership lessons I’ve learned in my life, this exact truth came to mind: How it’s more important to learn, try, risk, and grow than it is to know exactly what you’ll be doing now and next.

“Plan the event. Don’t plan the outcome.”

As a multi-passionate entrepreneur and business owner, I had never even heard of "coworking” when I was in college.

SIDEBAR: isn’t that what we all did at coffee shops, dorm lounges, or the library back then??

And while I always have loved kids, I definitely didn’t plan on owning and operating a childcare program and serving as a Preschool Director!

Now, over six years into launching The Makers Place™ with remote work becoming the norm rather than the exception, it all feels rather relevant and almost like I planned it all along.

Our slogan in 2018 rings truer than ever after living through the last few years…

#Truth Busy, working parents need affordable and reliable childcare.

And you get #BonusPoints if there is an onsite workspace where you can escape laundry and dirty dishes, and instead be welcomed with fast wifi, free parking, and an endless supply of (good) local coffee and snacks!

“Plan the event. Don’t plan the outcome.”

I’ve always loved creating and cultivating community. Intentionally bringing people together around a common purpose or goal to create good and positive change in the world.

Yet my future self could not have predicted the need for such a community space, especially as society recovered from a Global Pandemic that left us isolated and in desperate need of sustainable childcare options.

Instead, she followed her passion for Broadcast Journalism down to Los Angeles at the bright-eyed age of 18. Realizing quickly that she was on the wrong side of the camera, as she was craving to be part of the action rather than reporting on it after it happened. Something had to shift…

So she studied education and leadership development, getting involved in residential life and serving as a peer counselor to other students struggling with anxiety and the fear of failure.

When she realized she needed to fill more units to keep her campus job (and housing!) as a Resident Assistant, she took classes in Early Childhood Education, knowing that one day she could apply these skills to her own parenting (and never knowing the rest).

She went on to study social justice and diversity education, earning her Master’s Degree while working full-time managing the same residence hall she lived in as an undergrad at UCLA.

She honed her skills as a Research Analyst on a longitudinal study analyzing the impact attending college has on students’ beliefs and values and co-authored a guidebook to help others navigate their spiritual growth.

After graduation, she moved across the country (twice) as a young professional seeking a fulfilling career: First to the Midwest to work at the Illinois Leadership Center and then to the Pacific Northwest where she launched her coaching practice.

Along the way, she never quite knew how it all would come together. She just kept showing up and following the path, creating meaning and purpose and finding joy (and some heartache) along the way.

“Plan the event. Don’t plan the outcome.”

While I’ve been aptly labeled a “hopeful romantic,” my 20-year-old-self had no clue she would one day be married to her first kiss and prom date over a decade later. Sure, she always thought he was cute (then and now), but to now have three (equally cute) children and building a dynamic life together seemed like a dream.

A dream I couldn’t have planned, even if I had tried.

One of my favorite verses that hangs on my bedroom wall shares “Their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

And just a few verse above, the recipe for success is shared: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3).

Timeless wisdom that still rings true today.

So plan your course.

Work, play, and pray hard.

Look ahead, while staying present and grounded.

Notice opportunities and take them as far as you choose.

Don’t be afraid to stop and walk away from what’s not serving you any longer.

Learn from it all as you become your next best thing.

Now go out there and make your 20-year-old self proud!

#YOURTURN What advice would you share with your past self? Add it in the comments below!

And if you’re curious to hear more of my story, you can check it out here.