Introduction: This is why you need a Life Plan now more than ever.
Even creating a life plan may be a big task, even a little overwhelming. However, it’s also to consider: If we make the time to plot out our life goals, we’re taking responsibility for our future. Life Plan is a roadmap that helps us go through each and every twist and turn in life and get us on one common track focusing on our priorities. Why not set some intentions for the future, like where to start if you’re not planning stinkin’ five, or 10 years out?
In this guide, we will tell you not only how to make a life plan , but why. There are lots of actionable templates, examples, and plenty of tips to make it easier and let’s be honest, less intimidating. But this is not simply filling out a worksheet because this is the start of a life you’ll love to live.
What Exactly is a Life Plan?
It’s your long term strategy (your plan) for living consistently with your values, goals and dreams. It’s an interesting mix of looking inward, setting goals and a little futurology. It’s like a life GPS that will still help you stay on course even if there are detours along the way.
Key Elements of a Life Plan
- Vision – A big-picture idea of what you want from life.
- Values – The guiding principles that matter most to you.
- Goals – Specific objectives that align with your vision and values.
- Action Plan – Steps you need to take to reach those goals.
- Timeline – When you want to achieve each goal, whether it’s a 5-year plan or something shorter.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Own Life Plan
Step 1: Reflect on Your Life Vision
It begins by thinking about where you’d like to be in 5, 10, or 20 years. This is not a time to hold back, it is your time to dream. Ask yourself questions like:
Well, what brings me fulfillment?
- Where do I want to live?
If I could be contributing to myself, relationships and career in anyway, what would I love to achieve?
Step 2: Define Your Core Values
Your values are the foundation on which your life plan is based; they are the reasons you have goals. How driven are you by creativity, compassion, security or adventure? Your core values help you to discover meaningful and long term goals.
Tip: Write down your top 5-10 values. Use these to shape what will happen next.
Step 3: Set Clear, Achievable Goals
Now its time to set some goals with the vision and values the business currently stands for. Break them down into different categories, like:
- Career – Skills you want to develop, promotions you’d love to earn.
- Relationships – Goals with friends, family, or a partner.
- Health – Fitness routines, dietary changes, mental well-being.
- Personal Growth – Hobbies, travel, education.
Pro Tip: For each goal, ask yourself, “Does this fit with my vision and values?”
Step 4: Develop an Actionable Plan
This is the part where ‘I want’ becomes ‘I will’ and prioritizing your life. Each goal requires some set of actions with specific steps that you can accomplish bit by bit.
For example, if you want to switch careers, your steps might look like:
Find out what jobs require and what skills are required.
You take relevant courses, or certifications.
Update your resume and linkkedin profile.
Creating Your Life Plan Template
Making it all a little more structured is a template. Here’s a simple layout you can try:
Life Plan Template: Example
- Vision Statement – Write a few sentences about your ideal life.
- Core Values – List the values that matter most to you.
- Category Goals – Break down your goals by category (career, health, relationships, etc.).
- 5-Year and 10-Year Milestones – Add specific timeframes for each goal.
- Action Steps – Detail the actions you need to take.
- Accountability – Note down ways to keep yourself accountable, like check-ins every 6 months.
Tools and Templates to Bring Your Life Plan to Life
Digital Life Planning Tools
These days, in our modern world, we have a choice of apps and online tools to arrange our life plan. Here are a few worth trying:
- Trello – Use Trello boards for a visual representation of your goals and timelines.
- Notion – Notion’s templates can be customized to suit everything from a 10-year plan to a weekly schedule.
- Google Sheets or Excel – If you’re a fan of spreadsheets, create a timeline with specific milestones.
Printable Life Planning Worksheets
If you’d rather go old school with a pen and paper, this one’s for you. Online there are plenty of printable templates. It’s as easy as searching for “life planning worksheet” and you can find everything from setting your big vision, to tracking your daily habits.
Examples of Life Plans for Different Stages of Life
To help you get started, here are some example life plans tailored to specific stages:
1. Life Plan Example for College Students
In these students, the concentration may be on personal growth, education and skill in the field of occupation.
- Vision: Earn a degree I’m passionate about and have clear path for the career.
- Core Values: The things I wanted to name: curiosity, independence, growth.
- Goals:
- Graduate with a 3.8+ GPA.
I need to gain at least two internships in my field.
A strong professional network will be built by joining two student organizations.
2. Life Plan Example for Young Professionals
You could be getting older and young professionals are more focused on career advancement and personal relationships.
- Vision: To grow into a leadership role in my industry, whilst still maintaining a work life balance.
- Core Values: Leadership, balance, personal growth are three — basic concepts in today’s bussiness world.
- Goals:
- Desire to achieve a management position in five years.
Did you are getting started on a fitness routine and even keeping that going.
- Save enough for down payment.
3. Life Plan Example for Mid-Life
People middle of life might have goals around family, stability or health.
- Vision: How to build financial security and spend more time with family and hobbies.
- Core Values: Stability, family, health.
- Goals:
It will take 5 years to pay off remaining debt. - Even take a family vacation every year.
- Try to go to three workout classes a week, as a priority for fitness.
Maintaining and Adjusting Your Life Plan
We don’t set life plans in stone. Your plan should evolve with you as your circumstances, and priorities change. Here’s how to keep it relevant:
- Regular Check-ins: Review your life plan on a 6–12 months cycle, to check what’s working & what needs adjusting.
- Celebrate Wins: Announce each goal you achieve—no matter how small. This keeps you motivated.
- Adjust for New Priorities: New opportunities or problems sometimes show up. If you find that the plan isn’t conducive to living out your values, make the plan fit the values you wish to live by.
Conclusion: Your Life Plan is Your Personal Roadmap
A life plan isn’t perfect and has no rules it must follow, it’s a roadmap to follow, to create a meaningful path forward, a vision that is exciting to follow. So, when you focus on achieving a five year or ten year, or even just the next several months goal, the steps you take today can build to a more meaningful, purposeful life.
Beginning today, make time to think about what you value, about your dreams, and the steps to meet those dreams in real time. When you take action and achieve the next goal, you are a little closer to your version of your life.
Go plan for a future that you will love, and make 2024 the year it will start to be built!
LekFex 