Brian Clark
These are the steps I use to plan my life. I do not separate my work and personal lives. If you approach your planning aligned with your values you will not have conflicts.
Clear your mind to accept new ideas, goals and dreams that may not be linked to what you desired in the past.
In your thoughts or a journal look back at the highs, lows, wins and losses of the year now fading.
I like to see my plans visually laid out with linkages between related goals and objectives. I use Mindjet and Mindmeister for mapping and love both. Freemind is a great open source mapping tool.
This is fun and has such a huge impact. You can do a digital one but make sure you can print it out nicely. I also like pin-boards - you can re-use them and add more images easily as you journey through your year.
You now need to post your board in places where you will see regularly. In your office, bathroom, kitchen, computer desktop - wherever. You need to have your vision board become a part of your regular environment.
You can choose not to share but if you part of your family it is really fun to share your vision board. By now the board has appeared around the house so spend some time explaining your goals and dreams. Your family will get excited about those goals that include them. Now is the time to encourage your family to do some vision boards as well. When you get this kind of energy pumping through any group of people like a family the results are astounding.
Now you get traction by drilling your goals and dreams down to tasks. You need to break them down to measurable projects with actions and next actions. You need to be specific, measurable and time based. Make sure you take account of priorities and what needs to be completed before the next project or task is commenced. Use a task management tool. Use what you are comfortable with and is readily accessible no matter where you are.
You now have your tasks identified and entered into your task management tool. Your calendar is a critical piece to your success in creating an Awesome 2014. Your year will be awesome in proportion to the time and energy you commit to making it a reality. Use time blocking to make sure you have time set aside to work on your projects and tasks. You need to defend this time and not use it as wishy washy discretionary time used on a whim or external request. Block it away and make sure you include evenings and weekends to include planning, relaxation, entertainment, relationships and other critical parts of your life. Live by your calendar. Use one you love and have with you at all times. I have some clients who still use pocket paper calendars. Who cares as long as it works.
