How to plan your future

How to plan your future

　The future yawns before you like a vast land. But with so much open space, so many different potential paths to take, how do you know where to go? Future planning may seem intimidating¹, but if you slow down and consider your ultimate goal, then take small steps to get there, you’ll find the life you were meant to live is right there, waiting for you on the other side of the fog.

　Planning for the future requires careful thought and reflection to figure out what you really want. Find somewhere you can be alone and undistracted while you contemplate your future. When you imagine your ideal future, what do you see? Maybe your goal is to own a home, have a family, thrive in a certain career field, or move to a specific place. Maybe it’s all of these or none of these. Defining what you want as best as you can will help you begin to build a plan for your future.

　Plan out realistic short-term and long-term goals and record your progress in a journal. Long-term goals might be goals you’re unlikely to accomplish within the next 10, 20, or more years, like retiring. Rather than shoot directly for your long-term goals, identify short-term goals you must achieve as stepping stones towards your big goals. Write this all in your journal, and try to stick to the plan.

　Try to center your life around your passion—something you’re good at which gives you a sense of meaning and purpose. Figuring out your passion can seem daunting, but it’s usually something you’re naturally drawn to, excited by, or skilled at—something that aligns with your values and makes you feel like you’re making a difference in the world. If you’re not sure what it is right off the bat, consider your life so far—what activities have you participated in that gave you a sense of meaning and purpose? What did those activities have in common? That’s likely to be your passion.

　Make a clear plan, but be flexible². You can plan for the future, but you can’t predict it.

Notes:

1. intimidate v. 威胁 2. flexible adj. 灵活的