Ready For The Leap

You have a plan written down that you review on a regular basis, that sets the course for where and what you want to be in 2015, 2020 or even 2030, you can stop reading now and skip to the crossword puzzle. However, if you haven't figured out what you want to be when you grow up, read on. It will change your life dramatically for the better. In fact if you have not written down what your life is going to look like and what is on your "to do" list for the next 10 years, how in the heck do you know where you're going? If you are stumbling along trying to satisfy short term objectives (less than 3 years) and do not have a grip on the big picture, I.e. core values, 5 and 10 year objectives, you are less likely to feel fulfilled than those that have a plan and stick to it.

You Will Always Operate To A Plan

The rule is; you will always operate to a plan. If you don't have one of your own, you will follow or fall into, someone else's plan. When you arrive at those various forks in the road and you don't have a plan, there is a high likelihood that you will make a decision as to which road to take based on someone Else's plan. However, if you have your own long range plan, you will make those incremental decisions base on where you want to be - your plan.

Now there are people who enjoy being led and have no problem following someone Else's agenda. However, I believe the vast majority of you would like your life to turn out the way you want it to turn out and not be left to the discretion of those around you.

Four Step Program

There are several organizations that can help you with a structured process to help you lay out targets for the long-range future. You can also accomplish this on your own or with your significant other if you are disciplined enough to put aside several hours and take on this endeavor with serious abandon. However, before you sign up or begin on your own, make sure the following four areas are addressed:

First, figure out what your core values are. These are the values that are truly the most important to you. They are not tangible, material things. They consist of wonderful thoughts and values that you live and would die for. There are dozens of values that can be identified, but some of the popular ones are, family, spirit, integrity, honesty, wealth, security, power, etc. The list goes on. Don't limit yourself. Take a lot of time with this first part. Make a list of those core values that are the most important to you. Now identify those top three values that you would die for (this isserious stuff). Keep these uppermost in your mind throughout your planning process. These are the values that will have the most impact on motivating and driving your life decisions.

Second, figure out where you want to be and what you want to be, 10 years from now. Keep in mind your core values. If you died 10 years from now, what would you want on your tombstone (besides pepperoni and cheese)? What do you want someone to say about you in your eulogy? Write your own eulogy.

Third, lay out your personal goals that will make this eulogy accurate. For those of you in the business world, the eulogy is like a mission statement that your company has. Your short term goals (1 month - 1 year) and your long term goals (1 year - 5 years) are then developed to support your mission statement or eulogy.

Fourth, establish goals within your career (short term and long term), that support your personal goals. These most likely will contain many material goals. That's okay. I know Mom said, "Money is the root of all evil", she may be right if you don't have legitimate core values that are the basis for earning that money. The bottom line is; now is the perfect time to plan the rest of your life. The next millennium will be exciting and successful for you if you operate to your plan.

Dave Fischer is the founder of Chartwell Seventeen Advisory Group and currently serves as President. He is a licensed trainer of the Sandler Selling System which has helped thousands of sales professionals, worldwide. With a passion for selling, training and coaching, Dave seeks to help individuals and organizations achieve their professional goals in the fields of sales and sales management. Dave holds a B.A. from the University at Albany: State University of New York as well as an MBA from Columbia Business School.