Each month in 2019 this space is focusing on how to take strategic steps to make this the year of YOU. It doesn’t matter if your New Year’s Resolutions are a thing of the past. Each morning you get a new day to accomplish something. So instead of focusing on what you haven’t done, let’s stay on track and set a goal for today.

Last month we laid out a roadmap putting behaviors in place to clear a path to your destination. But as Yogi Berra once said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’re never going to get there.” Setting goals sounds easy; you can likely rattle off a list of things you’d like to accomplish. The key to success is having a vision and then taking the strategic steps to making that vision a reality.

Part of figuring out where you’re going is knowing exactly where you are.

Write down the answers to these questions on a sheet of paper or in a computer file that you can keep handy.

1. What are three words I would use to describe my life as it is now?

2. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would I rate my overall life satisfaction?

3. What is one adjective describing how I feel in this moment?

Think of future you, five years from now and take a few moments to imagine the answers to these eight questions, adding as much detail as you can.

1. What do you look like? (Clothes, hair style, etc.)

2. What is the expression on your face?

3. What setting are you in and what does it look like?

4. What do you do with your free time?

5. How are you giving back to the world/your community?

6. What or who are you going home to?

7. What three words would you use to describe the person you see?

8. What words would you use to describe your life satisfaction?

Make Your Own Future

Was there a dramatic contrast between current you and future you? Are you excited? Frustrated? Revved up? Exhausted? A mixture of all and a few others? Pay attention to what you’re feeling and stay in the moment. If you’re jazzed up, let’s get to work. If you’re sad or disappointed, let’s get to work!

Future you is hopefully a more developed, fulfilled, content version of current you. With five years of life experience that’s to be expected and life experience can’t be rushed. But there are plenty of other things you can do today and strategic steps you can take rather than wait.

If future you dresses differently or has a new hair style, why not make those changes now? If future you has more expensive taste and presumably the means to support a more costly lifestyle, that’s no reason not to get a power jacket, killer shoes; whatever is in your imagination that you associate with success, and wear it when you want a boost of confidence. Between online sites that sell brand names for less, consignment shops and good old-fashioned bargain hunting, you can make a small goal to put a predetermined amount of money aside and get that power item now. Please keep in mind that it’s who you are and how you treat others that defines you, but for the purpose of giving you self confidence a boost give yourself permission to dress the part.

As for hairstyle: as long as future you doesn’t have longer hair, why not get a new look this weekend? Again, future you is waiting. Let’s get the process started. Remember, if you step into your vision, you make it more real which is the beginning of momentum. Why wait on making small adjustments? The first strategic step is the most important.

The vision of the future you hold the answers to your five-year goal. In March we’ll take another strategic step towards achieving it. Between now and then, send me a photo of the new hairstyle, outfit, earrings or shoes; whatever you did to begin to evolve into future you. I’d love to see it!