Until recently, I would happily describe myself as a planner. My whole day was listed out by hour in my agenda making it set in stone. Spontaneity was not in my vocabulary. My planning even went as far as to drive my direction in life. I had a goal, a vision, a dream of what my life would look like in five, ten, or even fifteen years from now and it was not something I was willing to change. I knew exactly where I wanted to live, exactly when I wanted to be engaged, and exactly the job I wanted.

Well, guess what--things don’t always go as you plan. Sometimes, the vision of the life you have wanted for as long as you can remember changes and there is nothing you can do about it but scrap the old and dream of something new.

Life is all about learning lessons and I have recently been taught to not have an end goal. Don’t over-analyze every aspect of your future and plan it to a T because all that will do is limit your options.

Now I’m not saying to not be ambitious and not have dreams because those are so important. Have your hopes and aspirations but do not let them define you. Don’t let them change the direction of your life or keep you from taking opportunities that don’t pertain to them.

If something does not work out in the way you had once wanted it to, don’t let it stop you from moving on with life and remember that certain things don’t work out because you are meant for something much bigger and better.

Have a dream job, but don’t make that your only option. Let life take you where it may and trust that things will work out how they are supposed to. What is meant to be will be and life will work out for the best, whether it seems like it right now or not.

Having an end-goal will only ensure that once you reach that peak, you will be left without direction. Keep your ambitions but get rid of the ultimatums. Don’t let yourself plateau because you attained this objective you had been holding onto for so long. Keep reaching for something bigger and better than your last achievement. Be open to new opportunities and enjoy the spontaneous journey that is life.

Of course, I won't completely change over night. I will continue to make my daily to-do lists, make weekend plans months in advance, and dream about what my future might hold, but I refuse to let these plans limit me. I refuse to pigeon-hole myself in a life that while it may seem great at the time, is not meant for me. I refuse to have an end-goal.