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?

About�Marla Tabaka