Planning for 2009: Monitoring your plan

Consistent, regular monitoring of your plan is critical for success. Here, I present my personal process as the model, but you can determine what works for you. My process goes like this:

1. Every January 1 and July 1, go through the entire process--all the exercises--from beginning to end. This takes most of  day. Find a quiet reflective place to work.

2. Every month, on the first, determine what you have to do for every lifetime goal this month to stay on track for the next six months.

3. Every week, on Monday morning, determine what you have to do for every lifetime goal this week to stay on track for this month. This takes about 20 minutes.

4. Every day, first thing in the morning for five to ten minutes, determine what you have to do for every lifetime goald today to stay on track for this week.

5. Act: Do the tasks you have identified.

Here is another way to look at the monitoring process:

Frequency	Every 6 Months	Every Month	Every Week	Every Day
Review and adjust the entire plan (including lifetime goals, 10-year goals, 5-year goals, 3-year goals, 1-year goals).	X
Review and adjust the next 6-months based on 1-year goals.	X
Review and adjust the next month based on 6-month goals.	X	X
Review and adjust this week based on this month's goals.	X	X	X
Create today's to-do list based on this week's goals.	X	X	X	X

In Conclusion...

Planning your life is not static. It requires constant vigilance and attention so that when opportunities present themselves, you are ready. It is also important to show gratitude for everything that comes your way, good and bad, because you learn from both. When you know your life's path and you follow it, you live an authentic life. Living an authentic life facilitates your ability to positively influence others through your example. This adds to the richness of living in the world.

May you all have a wonderful and prosperous 2009.