Carpe Mentality: 12 Days to Seizing Your Best Life in ChristНамуна

Blueprint: Framework for Realizing Success

Question—How many people do you know who put together a blueprint, or business plan, for their own life? I have realized over the decades that this is a missing element with people who are trying to create authentic habits. I would highly recommend getting something to take notes with and start right now the process of creating your blueprint. Here we go!

Step 1) Foundation—Purpose of Existence, in General

Mine is completely personal. It goes like this: “Jesus Christ is the one true God. He is my number one in this life. He is my personal Savior and best friend.” It is important that whatever you decide is your foundation, it must be your everything. Start your blueprint based on a foundation that shakes you to your core.

Step 2) Mission—Your Calling

You need to put in the work to discover your mission. There is no time like the present: start journaling daily; write down all your thoughts. Then, vocalize aloud those thoughts in a prayer. Finally, spend time meditating. Try to dig deep inside yourself and answer the questions that frustrate you most. Answering those questions will allow you to discover a new side of yourself.

Step 3) Slogan—Mission Motivator

Think of a slogan that is an abbreviated version of your mission. I came up with my slogan nearly a decade ago for myself: “Carpe NOW.” My slogan motivates me to seize the day right NOW. It reminds me to stay on course. When thinking of your slogan, allow it to be short and sweet. The words must be impactful to you.

Step 4) Vision—Short- & Long-Term Goals

My recommendation is to reverse-engineer your goals. Start with the very end of your life. Visualize every little detail. Visualize exactly who you want to be and what you will look like at every stage of your life. Ask yourself hard questions. Use your foundation, mission, and slogan as a starting point to cultivate your goals.

Step 5) Service—Mission Field

Regardless of your mission, you have a mission field. We all do! In this step, it is important to know exactly who or what that is. Go to school on your mission field. Prepare yourself for every possible circumstance. Plan out your strategy for success.

Step 6) Support System

Who is in your corner? Who has your back? Know who these people are. Identify these people and stay connected with them. It is easier to disconnect than to connect with people. It requires diligent effort to have close relationships. Put the right people in your community.

Step 7) Marketing—Building the Mission

In this step you will put together a simple, precise marketing plan. Yes, I said a marketing plan for your mission. Why not? Even if your mission is to be an outstanding parent, you will need to market that to your children. Think of clever ways to promote your mission to your audience.

Step 8) Income—Financial Life Support

How will you support your life? How will you support those around you? Answer these two questions: What am I most passionate about? How much money do I need to make to support my mission? Answer those two questions, and you will discover your financial life support. Spend some time journaling, praying, and meditating to help you find the answers you seek.

Step 9) SWOT—Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, & Threats

It is a normal component for most business plans. Yet it is highly effective for personal growth. First, list all your personal strengths, then list all of your personal weaknesses. List all of the opportunities you can accomplish using your strengths. Next, list every realistic threat that can happen if you fall into your weaknesses.

Step 10) Implementation

Practically apply your blueprint by integrating it into your calendar. Whether your calendar is physical in nature or, as with most people, digital on your personal device, litter it throughout with reminders of your blueprint—making sure you keep the task at hand front and center. It is really that simple.

You will not accomplish your mission by chance. It is too easy to slip into the abyss of complacency. Be excited about your blueprint! Know that with the right strategies you will accomplish your mission. Your authentic self is waiting for you to step into who you really are, who God designed you to be: perfectly created, yet broken in nature, but authentically and perfectly you.