Projecting into the Future

It is the norm to project into the future the ideas which one holds most dear, especially what one desires to accomplish. But is this the most efficient way to construct a mental and emotions game plan? After consuming much psychological energy, can this method fail? What about the saying of Robert Burns that:

The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

Do you feel that Burns was just not New Age, was just antiquated and missed the boat about our ability to manipulate this creation?

Seeing only the positive possibilities which you can design in the privacy of your heart and mind, is that the most efficient way to expend psychological energy?

What happens when you invest in such possibilities and then it does go awry to use Burns’ terminology?

Should your imaginative thinking which is meant to influence the course of destiny be accompanied by healthy realistic doubts and an open mind, just in case, nature refuses to service such grand ideas?