Let’s be honest. When people have estimates and plans, it is guessing. We are terrible estimators. How many times do we say a task will take 2 hours and it takes 8? The further out the plans become, the more inaccurate they are. Instead of going guns blazing with our original plan, we need to recognize it’s an uncertain world and be flexible to change.
When setting a goal, set it to the smallest amount of time possible. Also, break it up into multiple sub-tasks. A reasonable period would be 2-6 weeks. Work on the tasks in that period, then adjust after you have completed the tasks or better gauge the progress. The time and tasks will depend on what the larger goal is. Don’t focus on the plan, which can cause you to have blinders. Be flexible and change it along the way.
We cannot control the world. Plans make us feel you are in control when you are not. Recognize this and adjust to what the world throws at you.