A client once shared a profound insight. He told me, “Alex, I want to be where you are in a few years. I know you consciously designed your life to get there.” This observation was incredibly accurate. Many of us simply wake up later in life. We then wonder how we arrived at our current circumstances. Often, it is not where we wanted to be.
In the video above, my personal process is outlined. This framework helps script your life’s direction. It details how I reinvented my own life. I consciously shaped it from ages 26 to 30.
The Three Pillars to Design Your Life
Designing your life moves it forward intentionally. It involves three distinct parts. First comes the initial design or vision. Then, daily habits play a crucial role. Finally, effective follow-through is essential. Staying on track even after setbacks is key to success.
Reaching goals often means bouncing back. You will face challenges. Getting “punched in the face” is part of the journey. What you do next truly matters. Your ability to adjust ensures progress.
Part One: Envisioning Your Future and Setting Your Trajectory
The first step is crafting a clear vision. This is the design phase itself. Imagine sitting down for a day. Pour a coffee, grab a piece of paper. Write down the coolest things possible. Consider what could happen over the next five years.
This simple act puts you ahead. Most people lack any game plan. They have no concrete vision for their future. They desire more money or a nicer car. However, deeper, conscious intention is missing. They do not think about what they truly want to build. Concrete improvements are not considered.
Tools for Conscious Creation
My approach involves regular journaling. This builds the life I envision. Every great achievement starts as a thought. New York skyscrapers began as pictures in someone’s head. Spaceships and medical breakthroughs did too. Therefore, conscious creation is vital. This happens even in thought, or through written words.
I use both print journals and a digital document. It is titled “Five Years From Today.” My yearly envisioning process is also crucial. At the start of each year, I ask a question. “What is the coolest thing that could happen?” I allow no limitations or realism. This “perfect year” vision goes on one paper. It stays on my desk. I review it twice daily.
This yearly document is comprehensive. It includes my daily habits. Unique projects for each quarter are listed. Areas needing self-improvement are noted. It is a roadmap for my growth.
Daily Reflection and Intuitive Capture
A small pocket journal is always with me. This is for recording shifts in thinking. Ideas from reading or podcasts go in there. Little intuitive hunches are also noted. If a friend says something impactful, it gets written down. A compelling book idea also finds its way there. My books often started from such notes. I capture those “wouldn’t it be cool if…” thoughts. I use a 3×5 Moleskine for this purpose. Daily review helps manifest these ideas.
A weekly journal page also aids reflection. This “strategy page” asks key questions. “Where am I now? Where do I want to be?” It also assesses daily habits. Are they sufficient for my goals? The page’s main point is reflection. Am I still on track? If not, what must change?
Lastly, my “Five Years From Today” Evernote notebook is a constant guide. While the exact timeline can shift, the direction remains. It helps visualize future states. Moving to California, marriage by 35, a private practice, a published book, and regular vacations are examples. These are put down even without a clear “how.” They establish trajectories. Regular review reinforces these aspirations. It helps translate intent into action.
Part Two: Habits and Daily Action Steps
The second pillar is developing effective habits. These are daily actions. They make your vision a reality. This philosophy is central to my book, *Master the Day*. Forget the big goal itself. Break it down into small, daily habits.
For fitness, forget losing 30 pounds. Focus on daily cooking. Go to the gym for 20 minutes each day. To write a book, disregard the finished product. Instead, write 500 words daily. Want an amazing relationship? Forget the two-year goal. Focus on going to four events. Meet like-minded people. This is your daily habit. Bring your focus back to “what must I do today?”
Tracking Progress and Mastermind Support
Habit tracking happens in several ways. The yearly envisioning document lists them. They are also recorded in Evernote. This is vital for my weekly mastermind call. I have participated in a personal mastermind for over four years. It started with my business. It then evolved into broader life goals. We ensure our “ladder is against the right wall.” Climbing the wrong ladder means you might end up in the wrong place.
Conscious goal setting needs clarity. We ensure we are on the right path. I set a maximum of three goals per year. Each goal has three supporting habits. For example, improving sleep might require multiple habits. Disconnecting from devices, limiting caffeine, and managing stress are examples. High performance at work also involves multiple habits. This could mean studying specific strategies. It might involve an extra hour of self-study.
I track these three habits weekly. A “scorecard document” helps. I mark completion from Monday to Sunday. Then, during the Thursday mastermind call, I report my progress. “I did this 50% of the time, this 90%.” We discuss what worked and what needs improvement.
Part Three: Follow-Through and Intuitive Pivoting
The third part of designing your life involves two things. First, consistent follow-through is critical. Second, it means following your intuition. This helps you know when to pivot.
Maintaining Momentum and Embracing Intuition
Daily journaling helps maintain follow-through. My *Master the Day* journal helps track actions. It highlights areas for improvement. The Thursday mastermind call is another pillar. These 45-minute calls use free tools like Uber Conference. You can create one with friends. My first mastermind involved online entrepreneurs.
Beyond these, the small Moleskine journal is essential. I record intuitions there. Sometimes, things just feel wrong. You might dislike a job or a relationship. Your subconscious often knows before your conscious mind does. While some decisions are clear (like moving to California), others are not. Should I stay in this relationship? Does this business still excite me? Am I proud of my work?
These deeper questions are often guided by intuition. I log these intuitive impressions. Then, I systematically explore them. I take time to unpack their meaning. This helps uncover the underlying truth. This process has transformed my life. I went from an average student at 24-25. Now, I actively contribute and produce. The last five years have been highly productive.
To continue designing your life, consider the first critical step. If you could consciously script your life today, what would it be?
Architecting Answers: Your Q&A Session
What does it mean to “design your life”?
Designing your life means consciously planning and shaping your future to get where you want to be, rather than just letting life happen to you. It’s about taking intentional steps to create your ideal future.
What are the three main parts of designing your life?
The process involves three key parts: first, envisioning your future and setting a clear vision; second, developing daily habits and actions; and third, consistent follow-through and knowing when to pivot based on intuition.
What is the first step when you start to design your life?
The very first step is to create a clear vision for your future. This involves imagining and writing down the coolest things you want to happen over the next five years, without any limitations.
Why are daily habits important for designing your life?
Daily habits are crucial because they are the small, consistent actions that make your long-term vision a reality. Instead of focusing on a big goal, you focus on the small, manageable steps you can take every day.
