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 look at what you’ve learned from the Life Coaching for Teens guide:
1. In the first section, you discovered the fundamental building blocks necessary for your life’s journey; mainly to discover his 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 take charge of your future and live boldly.
What is a Life Plan?
A life plan is simply a road map 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 “fate” will safely guide them to fulfill their life dreams. Although you may have heard of “lucky” stories in the past, or of people who have succeeded in winning the lottery; these stories are few and are not worth betting your life on. It would be wise to have a strategy for your life as your motto.
Before starting your life plan
What should you keep in mind before starting a life plan? The virtual world of the Internet is full of advice. You can search Google for the words “Life Plan” and you will find different opinions on the subject. Here are some general guidelines for you 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 developed (or are you developing) 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 to direct you, consider them in your life planning. For example, if you’re good at math and science, getting a degree in “literature” may not be a good choice.
4. Passion: Does your life reflect consistency of attitude and vigour? Remember that passion is a strong belief in yourself and what you are doing; it is to “move on” even in difficult times.
When these four cornerstones are evident in your life… then life planning is easy. In fact, a person who shows these four pillars is already moving forward and confidently knows where he is going. Then he can start life planning.
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 important choices that require deep thought. Here is the common roadmap that students choose after high school:
has. Attending school
b. Worked
vs. Join the Military
d. Travel 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 university in another country for a year to experience the culture firsthand.
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 project will take you through your high school years. If you’re 18, a five-year life plan will see you through college. Do you feel that you have the direction you need for these five crucial years of your life?
Components of a Life Plan:
1. Get a vision for your future: what does the future look like for you?
A vision can include your dreams, hopes, and aspirations. You have to know your destiny. A vision is to see the horizon on the distant mountain. Although weak in appearance, you know where you are going. The vision is the “big picture” like getting 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 than 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 you to complete your degree. A goal is the steps you take to complete a goal, three campuses visited so you can make a better decision, complete your application, and how many classes to take per quarter.
has. Set Long-Term Goals First: You need to set long-term goals first. In other words, keep the “big” picture of your life in mind, and then follow the short-term goals.
b. The short-term goals are as follows: Methodical steps are essential. Example: Attend a community college and then transfer to a major college or university.
3. Follow a schedule – You’ll need a visual roadmap.
You have to be an expert in “calendar” and use it as a “map” to guide you through your 5 year life plan.
4. Money and Resource Allocation – 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 not usually the best accountability partner when it comes to fulfilling a life plan. It has to be someone who is involved in 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. Refining 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 to your life. During this time, you will discover more about yourself (remember the “40% yet to discover” part of your life), so adjustments are necessary.