Quick question: What is a life path? simple right? Anybody can answer it easily. However, some of us may not know what our life paths will be, especially for a young person raised in Asian culture like myself. In an Asian household, a good kid must listen to their parents and do as they say, especially when it comes to their life journey. We got no option, no proper reason; all they said was, “We knew what was best for you because we had been there before you." Like, come on, we are living in a different generation.
Planning our own life path allows us to make decisions that reflect our own goals and values. With the right plan in place, we can achieve our ambitions and create a life for ourselves that we are proud of. Remember that life is short, so make the most of it.
Steps to Plan Your Life Path
A. Identify Your Goals
Ask yourself these questions:
1. What is your goal in life?
2. Where do you want to see yourself in three, five, and ten years?
3. What story do you want to tell your next generation?
B. Set a Timeline
Set a timer for each goal you wrote down after answering those three questions. Time is important because we don’t have much of it in our lives.
There are some quotes that say, “How many ten years do each of us have?”
C. Research and Gather Information
Gather as much information as possible. But where can you find this useful information? Well, the answer is your surrounding environment. You can ask people around you or look it up on the internet. It will be easier when you have a question in mind. However, if you don’t have any, just ask a simple question that comes to mind. The deeper question will naturally arise as you gain more information.
D. Develop an Action Plan
After knowing what your goal is and how much time you need to achieve it, as well as having enough information, it is time to develop an action plan. An action plan is a step-by-step daily, weekly, or even monthly plan that you need to complete in order to reach your goal. This plan should include tasks that need to be completed and their respective deadlines. List down a step-by-step plan that you can achieve in that period of time, so that it will keep you motivated.
E. Take Action
The last step is taking action toward your goal. Noted that most people cannot reach their goal because they fail to take action. And others may also fail because of a lack of commitment. The first step is undoubtedly the most difficult, but keep in mind that it will change your life. And believe in yourself, because no one is going to believe in you when you don’t even believe in yourself. Taking action necessitates the willingness to make mistakes, take risks, and learn from your mistakes. If you want to reach your goal, you must be willing to put in the hard work and effort required. Boost your confidence, commitment, and hard work.
I hope that these steps will assist you in planning for 2023. And if you already had a plan for your own life, congratulations! You made it.
Keep going, never give up, and believe in yourself.