Who do you plan on being?

Abraham Maslow said that if we plan on being anything less than we are capable of being, we will very likely be unhappy all the days of our lives. I couldn’t agree more!

So who do you plan on being? And what exactly is your plan for becoming that person? Do you have a growth plan? Is it written down? How often do you review it? What are the actions you’re taking and how are you measuring them?

It’s funny that so many business owners have written business plans, and how few of us actually have written growth plans. Let’s change that. We know that what gets measured gets managed, so let’s do that for our growth.

Who do you admire that possesses the qualities you want to possess? Write down the names of a few people you admire. Now write down the qualities they have that you admire. Take a look at those qualities and decide how you can access them for yourself. If any of the names you wrote down represent public figures, can you read what they’ve written or listen to their talks? Who else can you read, listen to or watch that exhibits the qualities you desire or can teach you how to embody them yourself?

Beyond that, what should you be reading, listening to or watching on a daily basis to help you become all that you want to be? With whom should you be spending your precious time? What health and fitness, relationship, financial, and spiritual goals should you set to help you continue to grow and evolve? What are the things you want to accomplish in each of these areas and what does success in each area look like to you?

Ask yourself these important questions: What will it mean for me to become all that I am capable of becoming? What will it mean for the people I love? What will it mean for my community? My country? The world? And also ask, what will happen if I don’t become all that I am capable of becoming? What will it cost me and those I love? What will be the cost to my community, my country, my world if I don’t become the fullest version of ME?

And finally, come up with a short, one page growth plan. It might start with a broad statement of who you want to become. Then you might list 12 things you can do over the next 12 months to move you closer to your goal of becoming all that you are meant to become. Set a date with yourself to check in monthly to see if you’re making progress. Remember, we’re all works in progress, and progress = happiness. Consistency compounds! And be prepared to revise your plan along the way. As you grow your vision for yourself will expand and so will your growth plan. Keep it simple and take the first step. You’ll be glad you did!