Life is full of hopes, dreams, and aspirations for each of us. However, how many of us are able to achieve them? We often spend a considerable amount of time thinking about what we want. It is not achieved, however, because we do not take the necessary steps.
There is no reason for this. It is due to the fact that we do not know where to begin. There is no plan in place. However, life planning can provide a roadmap or guide to assist in achieving those dreams.
You can use life planning if:
- You feel as if your life is out of control
- It is difficult for you to make decisions
- You feel lost and directionless in your life
To assist you in the process of life planning, use this step-by-step guide.
Life planning as a concept
The purpose of a life plan is to guide as well as to remind you of what you wish to accomplish in your life. In addition to helping you attain your personal and professional goals, it also helps you realize your dreams.
If your goals are realistic, there is no reason why you cannot achieve them. However, we are often held back by our fear of failure.
By designing a life plan, you will be able to overcome this fear and achieve your goals.
It does not need to be extremely detailed. The purpose of the document is to serve as a general guide and should be flexible in nature.
There is nothing predictable about life. Life plans should allow for unforeseen possibilities, changes, and crises.
The benefits of life planning
The psychologist Emily van Sonnenberg conducted a case study at UCLA in which students were asked to keep an “Intention Journal”. It was customary for them to write down their intentions for the day each morning.
According to Sonnenberg, students who write down their goals are 92% more likely to achieve them.
There is no doubt that planning plays an important role in achieving this result. In order to achieve your goals, let us take a closer look at the benefits of life planning.
- You can achieve your dreams by developing a life plan. When you have a life plan, you will be able to take action and overcome your fears with confidence.
- The purpose of a life plan is to help you prioritize. The process of creating a life plan assists you in identifying your priorities. Consequently, you will only be focusing on those things that lead you toward the realization of your dreams.
- By developing a life plan, you will be able to make better decisions. You can guide your decision-making process by knowing your goals and values. As a result, you are able to make decisions that are in line with their expectations.
- Motivating yourself is made easier by having a life plan. Staying focused on your goals requires that you write them down. In order to stay motivated, you should place your life plan in a place where you can see it every day and read it.
- You feel empowered when you have a life plan. You have a sense of control over your destiny when you have a life plan. As a result, you are reminded that you are in control of achieving your dreams.
Creating a life plan:
Plan your life in seven steps.
- Set a vision for the future
Start by imagining your ideal life. Please be as specific as possible when describing the details. Create a vision of yourself as if you were already there. Here are some questions to get you started:
- Can you describe what you see, smell, or hear?
- Could you describe how the light looks?
- Is there anyone with you?
- What is your daily routine like?
- Can you tell me where you live?
- What is your current state of mind?
- What is your profession?
- What is your annual income?
- How do you spend your day?
As soon as you have written your vision, consider what you need to do in order to achieve it. List your goals, such as gaining a new certification or reaching a certain income level.
It is important to be realistic, but do not stop yourself from dreaming big at the same time.
2. Assess yourself
You can begin your life plan by self-assessing your achievements so far. Take note of your successes as well as your failures. Make a note of the lessons learned and the experiences you do not wish to repeat. Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses.
As part of your self-assessment, consider the following areas:
- Relationships
- Psychological growth
- Income & Finances
- Health & Habits
Please rate each area on a scale of one to five. As a result, you will be able to determine your strengths as well as your areas for improvement.
3. Decide what is most important to you
As soon as you have determined your vision and areas for growth, it is time to prioritize your efforts. At this stage, it is not necessary to set detailed goals. During this step, you will determine what is essential and what can be discarded.
You should invest your time wisely since it is precious. You will be able to accomplish this by prioritizing.
4. Identify your core values
It is possible to identify your values by analyzing your past. If you examine the motivations behind past decisions, you can gain a better understanding of why they were made.
When your income has steadily increased over the course of your career, it indicates that money is one of your most important values.
However, if you have chosen fewer responsibilities at work for less money, you may value less stress and more free time.
We can also learn about our values from our negative past experiences. As a result, they help us avoid experiencing the same things in the future.
You will be able to make decisions in line with your dreams if you keep your values in mind.
5. Make sure your goals are SMART
Having identified your vision and taken stock of your priorities and values, the next step is to establish effective goals.
Ensure that both medium and long-term goals are realistic and attainable.
Determine different goals for each area of your life that you evaluated in your self-assessment. Ensure that they are aligned with your priorities and values.
To set effective goals, follow the SMART method.
SMART stands for:
- Be Specific: It is important to be specific when setting goals. As an example, rather than aiming to lose weight, you should aim to lose 10 kgs.
- Make it Measurable: Set measurable goals and determine how you will measure them.
- They must be Achievable: Ensure your goals are realistic and achievable.
- Must be Relevant: Goals should be relevant to your long-term vision and compatible with your priorities and values.
- Knot it with Time: Set an achievable but ambitious deadline for achieving your goal.
6. Plan a course of action
Describe the steps you will take to achieve your intermediate goals in your action plan.
Develop a list of daily actions that will add up over time and help you build momentum. Take action every day by scheduling them in your calendar.
You should place your action plan in a location where you will see it regularly, such as above your desk.
Do not forget to celebrate every milestone and reward yourself for your accomplishments.
7. If necessary, adjust
It is important to keep in mind that your life plan serves as a guide to help you reach your goals. In spite of this, we all experience setbacks at some point in our lives.
Never give up even if you miss a goal or take longer than expected to achieve it.
You should review your life plan and make any necessary adjustments.
Ask (Right) Questions:
Ask yourself the following questions, and keep your answers in mind as you write your life plan:
- Is there anything you want to accomplish?
- In order to achieve those results, what actions will be taken?
- What will you do to stay motivated?
- Is there a way you will measure progress?
Why you need a Life Plan:
I have listed five of the most common areas that can be included in a life plan to provide you with some inspiration:
- A healthy and happy life
- A relationship
- The career path
- Finance and Affluence
- Social community
Life’s challenges can be challenging but staying motivated is possible. In the long run, small daily actions can have a significant impact. In order to accomplish your goals, you will need to keep going forward. Creating a life plan will help you do just that.
