Planning

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

How this was put together

If you only read a few

  1. Recap your day around 4 PM to plan tomorrow and judge how far you have progressed.

    This helps in planning the next day and seeing progress.

    one person who lived it

  2. Observe what holds you back, write down motivations/goals, and keep them accessible as reminders.

    This helps take back control of your life.

    • Finding motivation can be tricky if you don't know how to reach the goal.

    one person who lived it

  3. Create a plan to avoid failure.

    Lacking a plan is equated with planning to fail.

    one person who lived it

  4. Use a planner with self-discovery sections to visualize your dreams, goals, and the steps needed to get them.

    It helps to see your dreams, goals, and steps clearly.

    one person who lived it

  5. Daydream about how to reach your goals rather than what could have been.

    It helps in planning.

    one person who lived it

  1. Break down issues you want to change into smaller parts and focus on them one by one.

    It may help you start making necessary changes.

    one person who lived it

  2. Plan your goals in detail to avoid wondering what to do next after waking up early.

    Well-planned goals prevent the 'what's next' question.

    one person who lived it

    • Explicitly plan your days and goals.1
  3. Write down a plan and execute it, as words alone are insufficient.

    one person who lived it

    • Create a concrete execution plan for your goals to ensure you act rather than just talk.1
  4. Write down clear steps for your day and prepare everything the night before.

    It stops overthinking.

    one person who lived it

23 more on this
  1. Start today by writing down what you want, then reverse engineer the steps from the end goal to guide your actions.

    5 people, independently

  2. Know your goal, break it into smaller executable tasks, and distribute those tasks throughout your day based on what moves the needle.

    To plan your days properly.

    one person who lived it

  3. Adopt a long-term focus instead of the short-term view most people hold.

    3 people, independently

  4. Let your life plan develop naturally over time rather than forcing it.

    Forcing a plan may lead to regret later in life.

    one person who lived it

  5. Create a short to-do list for the next day the night before.

    Keeping the list short maintains motivation to finish tasks.

    one person who lived it

  6. Set a goal with a deadline and aim for a level of ambition that requires effort but remains doable.

    so you'll know whether you made it

    one person who lived it

  7. Write down a few minor daily tasks, such as taking a shower or taking out the trash.

    It makes obligations feel finite and doable rather than existing in a ceaseless void.

    one person who lived it

  8. Write down specific plans for different areas of your life, such as gym, eating, and well-being.

    3 people, independently

    • Create a timetable that catalogs your desired activities and assigns them to their best times.3
  9. Review yearly goals across five life areas every evening.

    Knowing exactly what matters today brings calm and sharpness.

    one person who lived it

  10. Make a plan and execute it to get out of difficult situations.

    It requires truly wanting the outcome.

    one person who lived it

  11. Draft a plan spanning several years and carry it out without quitting.

    3 people, independently

  12. Specify action items with precise details, such as exact times or specific foods.

    Vague lists are less effective.

    one person who lived it

  13. Break changes into small, regular steps and review them daily to avoid overwhelm and self-beating if you slip.

    It is a must for sanity

    one person who lived it

  14. Schedule one peak productivity day per week rather than trying to maintain high intensity daily.

    Doing so every day is exhausting and leads to burnout.

    one person who lived it

  15. Plan ahead for failure by recognizing it when it comes.

    This moves you from ignorance to enlightenment.

    one person who lived it

  16. Create a flexible plan for when tasks will be completed to avoid guessing and feel secure.

    Having a plan reduces uncertainty and provides security.

    one person who lived it

  17. Plan properly to prevent poor performance.

    Proper Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

    one person who lived it

  18. Choose only a limited number of specific areas for self-improvement to avoid being overwhelmed.

    Choosing too many areas leads to overwhelm.

    one person who lived it

  19. Create a detailed plan to reduce disadvantages and overcome barriers.

    A plan helps reduce and overcome disadvantages better than simply creating a dream.

    one person who lived it

  20. If your self-improvement efforts feel messy or unstructured, try organizing them using a growth hacking framework.

    It removes obstacles and speeds up personal growth by providing structure.

    one person who lived it

  21. Design a schedule that explicitly includes time for socializing and creativity.

    Planning everything can make you feel stale.

    one person who lived it

  22. Establish structure and discipline in your daily life.

    one person who lived it

  23. Add a reward for achieving your goal, ensuring the reward does not contradict the purpose of the goal.

    one person who lived it

Close