A wish without a plan is simply a wish, but a wish with a definite plan becomes the foundation for success. Making a plan can be a daunting task. It begins with a personal philosophy about life and the things we value. How can you come up with any kind of plan if you don’t have a vision of what you want to achieve? Also, how can you come up with a vision if you don’t know what kind of values and fundamentals you want to represent in that vision? Here is an ACTION plan that will help you develop a personal plan and philosophy to guide your life.
Open a Word, Excel, Power Point document, or just take out a notepad and pen (you have to write it down, it’s important). Write what you value in life (love, happiness, compassion, honesty, etc.). Now take those qualities and create a vision for yourself. Mentally paint a picture in your mind of the future that embodies your VALUES and write them down. Vividly describe the ideal, don’t just think that I would like a nice house, choose an exact house you want to live in, the area, the city, even the style of tiles you want in your kitchen. Take a photo of what you want and put it on your paper, the images serve as a powerful visual guide and are stored in your subconscious waiting for their realization.
Now take the time to write about your VALUES and your VISION. The good thing is that this is a personal document, although it should be unique, you can jot down ideas from other sources. Take your favorite quotes and insert them into this document. Personally, I have about three pages written on the subject of personal attitude. Some ideas about attitude I found in books I have read and others are my own. You are allowed to put whatever you want in the document that is your creation.
By setting your values, you create a beginning. By creating a vision based on those values, you create your goals. Goals must come from your vision. Here’s a (rather materialistic) example that puts it all together. Let’s say you value wealth, professional esteem, and a position of power. From there, imagine yourself at a definite point in the future living (47 years) a life that complements these values. For example, you may see yourself owning a jet for personal and business use. Your vision vividly describes some goals. First, you will need financial resources to buy the plane.
1. Goal: have $ 6,000,000 in the bank at age 47, investing a certain amount monthly and earning a huge salary.
In the following vision, you see yourself running a large company that influences many people and leads them to success. You will need to move up the corporate ladder to achieve our next goal.
2. Objective: To become CEO of XYZ Company at age 42.
These two goals should adequately satisfy our materialistic friend. However, you can see how these goals can create a variety of subgoals, beginning to form a strategy map. For example, reaching $ 6,000,000 may require investing a certain amount of money each month, as well as obtaining a certain cash flow.
The achievement of your goals should not be left to change or luck, the basis begins with the formation of a personal philosophy. Start today.