Make Fun Plans And You'll Have More Fun

I don’t know why this just clicked for me. I’m someone who is extremely intentional about how I spend my time, and carefully plans out my days so that they reflect what’s most important to me. I’ve been wanting to spend more time with people doing fun things, but the intention wasn't enough - nothing changed.

I’m late to the game but I recently realized... If I want to do more fun things and more quality time with friends, then I need to plan those things.

We live in a world where spontaneity isn’t an option like it used to be. We all have jam packed schedules where ‘dropping by’ just isn’t as feasible any more because... Who knows if someone’s going to be home, available, and interested to change plans to spend time with you. Even calling someone on the phone out of the blue can feel like you’re inconveniencing them or catching them at the wrong time.

But if you make plans to do something - whether it be a phone call, hang out, or workout - then everyone can budget their time accordingly. And guess what? It means that everyone’s much more likely to be available and interested to spend time together!

It’s obvious, I know, but that’s not to say it will happen on its own. The planning step is the bottleneck. And with a desire to get more time with people on the books, this last week I put it to the test.

I coordinated with some friends to come over for a board game night, and we had a blast. I reached out to some other friends to try a new sport. I created a group chat, got everyone’s availability, and made the reservation. It was epic! I’m even thinking ahead now for some travel that I have planned - I’m going to be in Boston and Austin in the next few months (didn't realize that rhymed!), so I’m reaching out to friends in those cities and coordinating group dinners and meet ups.

It’s so easy to do, and so valuable when it works, yet for most of my adult life I haven’t even thought to do it. And it’s representative of the larger reality that is life: Get clear on what you want, strategize how you can go about getting that, make an action plan, and execute it.

I have been accustomed to waiting to be invited to things… And fortunately enough I get invited to do a lot... But the bigger shift this represents is that we all can take the lead and design the future. We can create the experiences, happenings, and relationships that are our life. And often that involves  taking the initiative to make the effort, craft the plan, and invite others to be involved.

People are waiting to be invited to do things. Make the plans, be the connector, and watch your life fill with things you’ve been missing.