Turn your passion into an action plan: How to create a 5-year life action plan?
A quick review
Before you start developing a life plan, let’s see what you’ve learned from the Life Coaching for Teens guide:
1. In the first section, you discovered the fundamental cornerstones necessary for your life’s journey; mainly discovering its identity and purpose.
2. Then you learned the Top 12 Virtues for Teens, foundational virtues that build strong character for the journey ahead.
3. Finally, you have discovered and defined your life mission, now you can grasp your future and live with courage.
What is a life plan?
A life plan is simply a roadmap that shows “where” you are going during a specific period of time, so that you can get there with a minimal amount of stress. Many people take life for granted, thinking that “luck” and “destiny” will guide them safely to fulfill their dreams of life. Although, you may have heard of “lucky” stories in the past, or of people who have succeeded by winning the lottery; These stories are few and far between and not worth betting on. It would be wise to invest a strategy for your life.
Before starting your life plan
What should you consider before starting a life plan? The virtual world of the Internet is full of advice. You can Google the words “Life Plan” and you will find diverse opinions on the subject. Here are some general guidelines to consider:
1. Identity: Do you have clarity of purpose? Do you know the “why” of your life? Example: Who am I? What am I doing here? What am I called to do in life?
2. Character: Have you cultivated (or are you cultivating) the character necessary to run the race with confidence? Do you have the moral qualities to endure difficulties? In other words, can you believe in yourself and your life mission even when there is contradiction?
3. Innate Gifts: Since your gifts and passions are road signs that direct you, consider them in planning your life. For example, if you are good at math and science, then getting a degree in “literature” may not be a good choice.
4. Passion: Does your life reflect consistency of attitude and vigor? Remember that passion is a strong belief in yourself and what you are doing; it is “broadcasting” even in difficult times.
When these four pillars are evident in your life … then life planning becomes easy. In fact, a person who shows these four pillars is already moving forward and knows with confidence where they are going. Then life planning can begin.
Life planning
Consider a 5-year plan instead of a longer version. At first, I recommend a short planning cycle. The reason for this is that you are just starting out, so the foundation of your life is critical. College, career, where you live and who you marry are all important options that need deep thought. Here’s the common roadmap students choose after high school:
to. Wait for college
B. Work
vs. Join the Armed Forces
D. Traveling the world for a year
me. A combination of the above. For example, some young people join the military because they can travel the world … others go to a university in another country for a year to experience the culture first-hand.
A life planning path
A 5-year plan will take you through a critical stage in your life. If you are fourteen years old, a life plan will take you through your high school years. If you are 18 years old, a five-year life plan will get you through college. Do you feel you have the direction you need for these crucial five years of your life?
Components of a life plan:
1. Get a vision for your future – What does the future look like to you?
A vision can include your dreams, hopes, and aspirations. You have to know your destiny. A vision is to see the horizon of the mountain in the distance. Although weak in appearance, you know where you are going. The vision is the “big picture”, like earning a business degree and starting your own business after college, which takes about 5 years.
2. Set goals to achieve your vision: steps to reach your destination.
A goal is slightly different from your vision. A goal is a big step in fulfilling your vision, just like which business school to attend, how many years it will take to complete your degree. A goal is the steps you take to complete a goal, visit three campuses so you can make a better decision, fill out your application, and how many classes to take per quarter.
to. First, set long-term goals: You must first set long-term goals. In other words, keep the “big picture” of your life in mind and then short-term goals will follow.
B. The short-term objectives are as follows: methodical steps are essential. Example: You attend a high school and then transfer to a major college or university.
3. Follow a timetable – you will need a visual roadmap.
You have to be an expert in “calendars” and use it as a “roadmap” to guide you through your 5-year life plan.
4. Allocation of money and resources: You will need funds and tools for the trip.
Where does your money come from? Your money can come from a combination of your savings, a part-time job, student loans, federal or state grants, scholarships, parents, transportation, budgets, etc. A resource is something like a laptop and a mentor / guide.
5. Faith, commitment and responsibility: You must believe in yourself and recruit others to do the same.
Do you have someone, a mentor, who can advise you and hold you accountable? I recommend someone mature and out of college. A partner is often not the best partner for accountability when fulfilling a life plan. It has to be someone who is committed to your life, like a parent, an older brother or sister, a mentor, a teacher, a pastor; someone you trust deeply to remind you of your mission. You have to believe in yourself and your plan. Don’t give up, persevere!
6. Refine your life plan: Evaluate and refine your plan throughout the journey.
Life plans should be reviewed several times a year to make adjustments. During your journey within those five years, other things will come up that will be advantageous for your life. During this time, you will discover more about yourself (remember the “40% undiscovered” part of your life), so adjustments are necessary.