What’s Your Life Plan?

Entrepreneurs have many wonderful qualities; one is that we’re dreamers. Some may prefer the term visionaries. Whatever your preference, this quality is at the heart of nearly everything we do and is the heartbeat in a growing and changing company.It’s probable that you see your company growing beyond where it is today, financially at least. I wonder if you see your life outside of work growing and changing as well? It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day work as well as the company dream, but do you dream for YOU? I know it’s difficult to separate from the company and that our work is a part of our dream, but how do they support one another and where do we separate?

During a conversation with a friend this weekend, I realized that my dream is missing some important key elements. I know that my life purpose includes helping others achieve their dreams; it’s what makes me happy and it brings joy to my heart. Goals and targets for my company are in place and there are some things I’d like to do outside of work, but what about 5-10 years from now? Where do I want to be personally? Sure, I have a vision of the future, but suddenly I see that there are some pieces missing.

So, I’ve decided to devote the month of January to identifying those missing pieces. After all, a part of what makes us tick is the dream, right?

I’ve put together this list questions as a partial guideline for getting in touch with the bigger picture of my personal life. For the purpose of this blog, I’ve added some more global questions. I hope you find them helpful. Please contribute any helpful thoughts and insights as you explore your big dreams.

• At what age do I wish to retire?
• What does retirement mean to me?
• Will I engage in any revenue-generating activity after retirement?
• Is there anything I can do now to ensure a passive revenue stream for my retirement?
• Do I want to be in the same house in 3, 5, 10 years from now (or beyond?)
• If I move, do I know where I’d like to be and what my surroundings will look like? What’s most important to me about my physical surroundings?
• What kind of people would I like to meet this next year?
• Am I surrounded by people who support me? Where else in my life would I like additional support and what could I do to meet the right person/people?
• Am I happy with my health and weight? If not, what small and manageable steps could I take to change that?
• Am I happy with the way I spend my “free” time? If I don’t have enough free time, am I avoiding something? How can I achieve greater balance in my life in the New Year?
• Are there any new hobbies or activities I’d like to explore in the New Year?
• Do I plan on changing my career focus someday? If I don’t want to do this “forever” when is the right time to begin laying the groundwork for change? Can I identify those steps and a time frame for them?
• If money were no object and I had all the support I need, where would I like to be in ______ years from now? What steps can I take to begin visualizing and embracing that dream? What can I do to increase my belief that I will bring that dream to fruition?
• Currently, I’m single: Do I want to change that? If so, what qualities would I look for in a mate? What could I begin to do now to increase the odds of meeting that person? Hummmmm.
• If you’re married or in a committed relationship, is there anything you’d like to change or improve in the relationship?
• As my revenue grows, I could possibly find more free time on my hands.  How would I like to spend that time?
• What feeds me the most? Am I satisfying that hunger? If not, why not? What steps can I take to change that or increase my level of satisfaction?
• At the end of a typical day, do I feel satisfied with what I’ve done/achieved? If not, what can I do differently each day?
• What charities, causes, organizations, might I feel passionate about and how would I like to contribute?
• Helping others is important to me. How can I continue to do that if and when I am no longer coaching?
• I would like to travel more. When and where will I go?
• If you have small children, do you have enough time of your own? If not, how can you change that?
• What are my material goals? Is it time for a new mattress, computer, yacht?
• Is my relationship with my kids where I would like it to be? If not, what can I do to change it?
• How far have I gone on my spiritual path? How would I like to change/enhance my spirituality or religious commitment?
• If I had to describe my frame of mind, as it is on most days, what word would I use? Is that who I want to be? If not, what steps can I take to shift my frame of mind to a more desirable state?