Creating a life plan can help you better enter, engage, and experience the life you were created for.
Picture yourself riding a bike and that you have been riding it for some time. You have had to push to keep moving forward, you have had to overcome obstacles, and you at times feel winded. Where do you want to be in 5, 10, 30 kilometers? Likewise in life, where do you want to be in 5, 10, 30 years? One of the questions I will often ask University Students is, “What is your hope when you are done?” For many, they do not know. I understand that they just want to get through their studies, but it is important they know what they want otherwise they will just bounce around in life.
Another man I know is looking ahead to retirement and trying to figure out what he wants for that stage of life. Currently he is working through where he wants to be with work and finances, while also drawing an overall picture of that season of life.
Creating a plan will help you get from the dream to the practical. A life plan can help you accomplish what you desire and steward the resources God has given you.
Recently in a post, I shared that the first step in creating a life plan is identifying the life spokes that are important to you. On a bike wheel you have spokes and the spokes work together to transfer power and weight so that you may get to where you want to go.
Once you identify the life spokes that are important in your life, the second step is to ask yourself what you want to accomplish in those areas. Where do you want to ride your bike to?
What is the vision for each spoke of life?
What is the story you want written?
Where do you want to be in ___(fill years in) years?
What do you want to see in the future?
Here is an exercise to help:
Step one: Know your life spokes
(Example) Financial
Step two: Vision
(Example) Life Spoke : Financial
My Vision: I want to be financially stable while also generous to others
Step three: Define purpose- What is one sentence that would clearly define the end result you want.
(Example) Life spoke: Financial
- In 30 years I want to be financially stable for retirement. This means owning a home mortgage free and living in my means.
As you work through each of the areas, there will be some cross over as each spoke works together in your wheel of life.
In developing a life plan, when you create a vision for your life, you can leave a lasting impact upon those you care for.