The future you

“The future you are going to live is the one you are creating right now at this very moment.” This quote is from The 12 Week Year. The decisions you make today will impact each day from here on out. Look at the date today. In exactly one year from now will you wish you had started today? Deciding to take the leap and making that first step towards something new is often the hardest part. You have to bet on yourself, invest in yourself in order to see the returns. I know I say it all the time but it really is important to know where you are now, where you are starting before you decide where you will go. Figure out what you want, who you want to be and work backwards to this starting point. Map out the action items to get there. What resources do you need? Who will support you? If it feels overwhelming thinking about the future you will live, pick one area of life to start. Maybe it’s health and more specifically physical fitness. You might set certain goals relating to physical fitness which is great, but it’s much more important to attach an identity to it. If your goal is to run a half marathon, you want to focus on the identity of being a runner. What does that look like for you? Does being a runner mean that you run every single day? Two days a week? Is it the ability to run a certain distance? Yes, you are working towards that half marathon, but who will you be if you complete it? Who will you be if you don’t? Focus on the identity of being a runner and the action items will easily follow. Decide first who you want to be, then decide what you need to do. Ok, but knowing and doing are not the same things. So, now you need to commit to the decision which means taking action. Each action you take is building your identity one brick at a time. The identity doesn’t really have an “end” to it. It just becomes a part of who you are. Remember, what works for someone else might not work for you. And different seasons will require a different level of effort from you depending on your goals and the identity you are creating. As you are setting your goals, make time to reflect on your current habits, behaviors and who you desire to become. Do something today to make your future self proud. I’m giving you ten journal prompts to help you get started. Take the time each month to track your progress, redirect when you need to and create a plan going forward. Download the Monthly Reflection Questions here!   -CS