How To Plan the Sh!t Out of the New Year
The Ultimate Cheatsheet To Achieving Your Dreams
As we approach the end of 2023 we must recognize the power and importance of proper planning in turning our dreams into reality over time.
For me, the old saying “failing to plan means planning to fail” is spot on.
I regularly plan the actual sh!t out of things, sometimes together with my wife and even with my family.
We’ve planned the most crazy things into existance:
- my marriage was planned with spreadsheets
- raising trilingual kids between three countries
- achieving financial independence and retiring early
- assisting our kids to go after their dreams with the best of our abilities
And please, I know how many similar motivational stories float around this time of the year: Trust me when I say, it’s not just “worth it”, but I it actually does work!
I know it.
A well-thought-out plan doesn’t just give us a sense of control over our lives, it also helps us set achievable goals by breaking big dreams down into manageable pieces and tasks.
In today’s article, I’ll share how you can too utilize planning as your secret weapon towards achieving your dreams and offer my tips and tricks based on my experience on overcoming barriers and staying motivated on your own journey.
The Transformative Power of Proper Planning
Way way back, when I first embarked on my money and wealth-building journey in 1995, I started with a simple Excel sheet on my 486 DXII computer.
Little did I know this would be the one thing to keep me going through the years.
You could argue that I “planned myself rich”.
Today, some 28 years later, I’m still using that very same spreadsheet file.
Of course, I’ve amended and updated it for new things such as real estate, debt and more.
This simple planning tool has been instrumental in organizing my finances, setting goals, and tracking progress: The impact of proper planning has been immeasurable in my own life!
It was due to this habit of mine I reached financial independence at age 37.
Some of my best friends keep telling me repeatedly they believe “planning” to be my superpower.
It can be your superpower too!
That’s why I thought I’d like share some essential key points here with you.
I firmly believe I’m not the only one on this planet who might achieve great things through careful planning and an unwavering commitment to their goals!
You can too!
And there’s no better time to go about this than exactly now, between Christmas and New Year.
There’s so much magic in new beginnings and planning for your dreams to become reality!
So go ahead and start creating your own magic through strategic planning today!
Don’t worry about the time — it’s “the time” now!
The time will pass anyways…
Success Stories
I keep thinking of how one of the greatest planning success stories is that of Elon Musk.
As CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk is renowned for his ambitious plans to reshape industries.
His vision of electric cars, renewable energy, and space exploration are built on strategic plans spanning decades.
Through tenacity and strategic planning, Musk has been able to achieve groundbreaking success in challenging industries and to overcome countless barriers.
I bet for him small and boring plans are not inspiring at all, hence he’s dreaming and planning literal Moon- or even Mars-shots!
That’s what I think more people shold be doing for themselves.
You know what’s the most scary part about aiming too low?
The most scary thing is: You might actually achieve your low ambitions!
There lies great power and even magic in planning for big dreams to become reality!
Planning Strategies and Techniques
So how do you plan effectively to turn your dreams into reality?
Here are five key strategies and techniques:
- Think about your dream as the end goal: Begin with a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Having a clearly defined end goal helps guide the planning process and keeps you focused on your priorities.
- Break it down: Divide your dream/ plan into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes it easier to stay organized and track your progress.
- Know your “Why”: Understand the reasons behind your goals. Knowing why you are working towards something makes you more committed to accomplishing your objectives. Your “Why” is your rocket fuel to let your dreams take flight and keep going especially when the going gets tough — higher, further and longer!
- Figure out your “How”: Determine the best approach for reaching your goals. This may involve researching different methodologies, seeking guidance from mentors, or simply brainstorming and experimenting until you find your winning strategy. There’s no right or wrong, the best way is “your way”!
- Just do it: Once you have a plan in place, take action. Start working towards your goals by tackling tasks one at a time, build momentum and make adjustments as you learn and grow. From a certain point onwards, doing trumps planning further.
Overcoming Challenges and Staying Motivated
As you embark on your planning journey, you may encounter obstacles and setbacks. They are “to be expected and accounted for” as well, of course!
Adopt these strategies to overcome hurdles and maintain motivation:
- Create systems: Instead of relying solely on willpower, create systems and habits that can help keep you on track. For example, if your goal is to save money, set up automatic transfers to a savings account each month.
- Stay accountable: Share your goals with someone who will hold you accountable, or find a like-minded individual or group to offer support and encouragement.
- Celebrate progress: Take time to acknowledge your accomplishments and celebrate milestones along the way. This can help boost motivation and keep you driven towards your ultimate goal.
- Seek support: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals, people who have achieved what you try to achieve or mentors who support and encourage you on your journey.
- Be flexible: Plans will change as circumstances shift, and that’s okay. Be prepared to adapt and modify your plans when needed. But keep the big end-goal in mind! Have your moral and value-compass with you!
The Magic of New Beginnings
As we enter a new year or embark on new chapters in our lives, it’s important to embrace the magic that comes with fresh starts.
Take this time to reflect on your dreams and set clear, actionable goals.
Remember, proper planning is key to turning these dreams into reality.
Don’t wait for the perfect moment or opportunity, create it through careful planning and unwavering commitment.
It’s time!
Your time!
No dream is too big or impossible if you have a plan in place and the determination to see it through.
Embrace the transformative power of proper planning, and watch as your dreams unfold before your very eyes.
Here’s to a year filled with magic, success, and achieving our wildest dreams!
Let’s make it happen together!
Today is the first day of the rest of your life.
So let’s get started and don’t forget to give me a follow if you’d like to read more about planning and turning your dreams into reality!
Matt