Why do I need a life plan? I’ve managed without it all this time, why do I need one now?
Hey there! I totally get where you’re coming from – the idea of having a life plan might seem overwhelming or unnecessary, especially if you’ve managed to get by without one so far.
But trust me, having a clear direction and purpose for your life can be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.
A life plan is like a map that helps guide us towards a more meaningful and fulfilled life. It’s one that we’ve considered and envisioned for our future. Without a clear life plan we can find ourselves drifting or meandering along with no real direction, vision or purpose.
So how do I do it?
So let’s break it down – developing a life plan doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In fact, it can be a fun and enlightening process!
Step 1: Take stock of where you are now
The first step is to take stock of where you are right now. Think about the key areas of your life that are important to you. Write these down as it’s handy to have list for the next stage.
As a guiding example, when I’m doing my life plan review, I list my key areas for review under my holistic mind, body, life, soul framework.
So my key areas are:
MIND
– Mental health
– Personal growth
– Emotional wellbeing
BODY
– Physical health
– Fitness
– Nutrition
– Personal style & brand
LIFE
– Career & business
– Finances
– Connection & belonging
– Where I live
SOUL
– Spirituality
– Life purpose
– Personal life plan
– Daily practice
Everyone’s key areas are different, so it’s important that you choose what’s relevant and meaningful to you.
* Rate each of these areas how they currently are on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best possible life.
* List the realities of your life such as your responsibilities, available finances, things that really make you happy or things that make you unhappy.
* Start to consider how you would like them to be. What would a 10 look like?
Step 2: Create a snapshot in your mind of your ideal life
Next, take a moment to dream big and create a snapshot in your mind of your ideal life.
Don’t hold back – think about everything that excites you, from hobbies to family time to early retirement. Notice any recurring themes or passions that emerge. Remember to dream big! The sky’s the limit so don’t be afraid to be bold.
Then, envision what a 10 in each area would look like – this will give you a clear idea of what you’re aiming for. Use your list from Step 1 as a starting point then add anything and everything that gets you excited about your life like hobbies, early retirement, family time, charity work etc…
Details are good here as it will help you visualise later. Think about those things that you really love to do and notice any themes that might be recurring.
Step 3: Take an inventory of your skills and talents, listing all of your professional and personal accomplishments, achievements and strengths
Once you have a clear idea of what you want, it’s time to take stock of your skills and talents. This will help you identify what you’re already good at and what you might need to work on in order to achieve your goals.
My post 15 ways to discover your natural skills and talents shares tips on how to do this.
Step 4: Create a manifesto or personal vision statement, so you can boldly proclaim your wants, needs and desires
With all of this in mind, it’s time to create a manifesto or personal vision statement. This is a powerful tool that will help you clarify your wants, needs, and desires, and give you a clear direction for your life.
It should be all-encompassing and include everything you’ve discovered about yourself and your dreams. Review it regularly to make sure it still aligns with your goals. This personal vision statement post shows you how to really get creative with this. Take into consideration your snapshot of your life (Step 2) and what you’ve discovered is important to you.
This statement should be all encompassing and it should include everything you have already discovered about yourself and your dreams, bringing it all together in one clear statement.
This enables you to make commitments to yourself and stand for something. It should capture the value you create and who you’re creating for, including yourself!
As an example, here is my personal vision statement:
“Live in a way that leaves no regrets. Be the best I can be. Use my enthusiasm and optimism to inspire growth and bring out the best in people. Have fun in my journey, keep learning. Open up, let people in, be brave enough to wear my scars on the outside. Maintain a sense of wellbeing and calm, be kind to myself and believe I deserve it.”
I used to review my statement every 6 months or so to make sure it still aligns but after tweaking my first few drafts, it hasn’t changed in over 5 years, which shows that the initial time I spent in contemplation really got me thinking deeply and helped me create my personal guiding roadmap.
Step 5: Hold this vision in your mind by contemplating it for a few moments, each and every day
This is a vital step in the process because you are essentially reprogramming your mind towards this new way of life.
The more you imprint this image in your mind, the more your mind will guide you towards it and help you stay focused and motivated.
Step 6: Take small, actionable steps so you can begin moving towards this new goal
And remember, taking small, actionable steps towards your goals every day will help you achieve them faster than you ever thought possible.
If you take time to focus on your new way of life every day, your mind (and the Universe) will begin to create ways for you to get there.
I hope this helps you see the value of having a life plan!
Remember, you don’t have to do it all at once – take it one step at a time and enjoy the journey.
You’ve got this!