Monday, June 12, 2006

Finding Your Future Groove

It's hard to think ahead, to plan for the future. We often hear, 'enjoy today, be in the moment, but be responsible, plan ahead.' How do we accomplish all of this? I'll give you an outline for a way to find your future groove. Once you've completed the outline, it's important to revisit it often. Maybe once a month, maybe once a week depending on how detailed you get. Set goals for the future that are rewarding and achievable. You'll only get frustrated if you can't reach your goals because they were set too lofty.

Now, sit back and think about how you'd like to be in 20 years. I do mean how. What type of person do you want to be? Are you still working? Retired? Volunteering? Are you happy and relaxed or are you busy and challenged? Who is around you? Where are you living? Give this some serious thought. Just daydream for a little bit. Again, make sure you are being realistic. Would you really be happy on a 50 foot schooner? Do you even know how to navigate one? Be realistic...it's your groove!

It's time to write these dreams down. Take out a piece of paper and separate it into four quandrants. In the first, write Relationships. Fill that section in with all you hope to have in 20 years regarding a mate, friends and family.

Once you are done, go to the next quandrant and write Finances. Fill it up with all that you want financially (realistically) in 20 years. Any savings, stocks, bonds, IRA's. The works. Write it all out. Is there any money you want to give away? Charity? College funds? Vacation?

Next is Personal. Here, write down what you would personally like to achieve in the next 20 years. Education, hobbies, travel, etc. Get it down on paper.

The last quandrant is Career. What job will you hold in 20 years? President of the company or might you have started your own company? Are you retired and working part time somewhere? Are you firmly planted in a job you love? Have you made a name for yourself? Write it all down.

Now, you have your visual tool for your future. How are you feeling about it? Are these tasks that you really want? If so, wonderful. Writing them down has released them. Before they were just thoughts in your head. Now, they are afiirmations on paper. Revisit this often as you start to take steps toward achieving your goals. Soon, you'll find that some of the items will happen on their own.

Enjoy this time of creation in your life!
Coach Katie