I first started trying to plan my future after reading an article on how to do annual reviews. You’re much more likely to achieve your goals if you track yourself. Most of the world’s biggest companies rate themselves and release results every three months. Let’s give it a shot.
The three questions
Take a bit of time to be honest with yourself when you answer these questions. This isn’t about today or this week but how you want to change your entire life.
1. What is bothering me right now?
The question is straight-forward. We’re talking about your life’s direction. If there’s nothing bothering you, ask yourself if there’s anything you would really like to accomplish or change.
Now you know what your real issues are so that you can tackle them.
2. What will I do in the next three months to solve it?
Jot down any possible ideas that you may have. You may not complete all of them but you’ll have a game plan and know how to attack each problem.
Now you have solutions so that you know where to start.
3. Where do you see these problems in three months’ time?
If you completed everything you set out to do in the last answer would these problems disappear or diminish? How would things be different from what they are now? Your answers to this question will provide you with the impetus to get started and keep going. Check back often to re-read what you write here.
Now you have enough motivation so that you won’t give up.
I’ll share some of the things I’ve been able to do and not do over the last three months by answering these three questions.
Goals achieved or on track
- New experiences: I have been able to visit Los Angeles, San Diego, New York City and go skiing outside Toronto. My goals were to face my fears and to broaden my mind. It’s working. I’m heading to Houston and Las Vegas in two weeks.
- Improve my social connections: I was able to stick to my plans for creating new relationships and fixing up others. So far, so good.
- Repair my finances: When it comes to saving and investing I have been able to become more disciplined. I’ve gone from red to being in the black in more than one project.
- Getting in shape: Over the last two months I became much more serious in exercising and tracking what I eat. Those body-fat numbers continue to drop.
Where I slipped
- Releasing my second song: Late by 2 weeks! I expect this to be out by April 9th. Update: Slipped again! Now changed target date to the end of April
- Learning a language: I tried to learn 10 words of Arabic every day. I’ve only made it to 25 out of 90 days (28%). Boo.
- Creating a music video: I thought I’d be able to make something by the end of March but this has gone nowhere. I’m still fiddling with 3D software. I’ve pushed this goal to the end of the year.
Don’t forget to check out the large map where I make plans on a larger scale.
