If you have a written plan that you review regularly, setting the course for where and what you want to be in 2015, 2020, or even 2030, you can stop reading now and move on to the crossword puzzle. However, if you haven’t figured out what you want to be when you grow up, keep reading. It will change your life dramatically for the better. In fact, if you haven’t written down what your life will be like and what’s on your “to do” list for the next 10 years, how the hell do you know where you’re going? If you are stumbling trying to meet short-term goals (less than 3 years) and you don’t have control over the big picture, i.e., core values, 5-year and 10-year goals, you are less likely to feel fulfilled than those who have a plan and stick to it.
Will always operate with a plan
The rule is; It will always operate according to a plan. If you don’t have one of your own, you will follow or fall into someone else’s plan. When you get to those various forks in the road and you don’t have a plan, chances are you’ll make a decision about which way to go based on someone else’s plan. However, if you have your own long-term plan, you’ll make those incremental decisions based on where you want to be – your plan.
Now there are people who enjoy being led and have no problem following someone else’s agenda. However, I think the vast majority of you would like your life to be the way you want it to be and not be left to the discretion of those around you.
Four step program
There are several organizations that can help you with a structured process to help you set goals for the long-term future. You can also accomplish this alone or with your partner if you are disciplined enough to put in several hours and take on this effort with serious abandon. However, before signing up or getting started on your own, make sure the following four areas are addressed:
First, find out what your core values are. These are the values that really are the most important to you. They are not material or tangible things. They consist of wonderful thoughts and values that you live for and that you would die for. There are dozens of identifiable values, but some of the most popular are family, spirit, integrity, honesty, wealth, security, power, etc. The list goes on. Don’t limit yourself. Spend a lot of time on this first part. Make a list of the core values that are most important to you. Now identify those top three values that you would die for (this is serious stuff). Keep this in mind throughout your planning process. These are the values that will have the greatest impact in motivating and driving your life decisions.
Second, find out where you want to be and what you want to be 10 years from now. Consider your core values. If you died 10 years from now, what would you want on your tombstone (besides pepperoni and cheese)? What do you want someone to say about you in your eulogy? Write your own eulogy.
Third, set your personal goals that will make this compliment accurate. For those of you in the business world, praise is like a mission statement that your company has. Next, your short-term goals (1 month – 1 year) and your long-term goals (1 year – 5 years) are developed to support your mission statement or commendation.
Fourth, set career goals (short and long term) that support your personal goals. Most likely they contain many material objectives. It’s fine. I know Mom said, “Money is the root of all evil,” she may be right if you don’t have legitimate core values that are the foundation for making that money. The conclusion is; now is the perfect time to plan for the rest of your life. The next millennium will be exciting and successful for you if you operate according to your plan.
