Creating & Maintaining A Five-Year Plan

We have all heard the question: where do you see yourself in five years? While we may have an answer prepared for an interview - is the answer genuine??

Now, it may be. However, there is a chance that you are only catering to the interviewer’s needs instead of your own.?

Five-year plans require more than a 30- second elevator pitch. They involve dreaming, planning, hard work, and constant learning.?

So how does one create a five-year plan??

Well, it first requires focus. Do you see yourself in the same industry or somewhere else? These questions can influence the early years of your five-year plan.?

Next, write out your goals. You have probably heard the acronym: SMART. Your goals must be:?

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Realistic

Time-bound

By putting parameters on your goals, you will have a better idea of whether or not you achieved them.?

Are you feeling stuck on what to envision? Career assessments and working with mentors can open your eyes to a whole sea of possibilities.?

You can break your five-year plan’s goals down to each year, season, or month. We recommend thinking about how you operate. Do you need a reminder to do something each month for it to stick??

During your plan, it is important to seek knowledge. Continuing your education, formally or informally, is another way to grow and promote yourself. Seek out learning opportunities whenever you can, as they will only help your five-year plan.

With the knowledge and wisdom that comes with time, you may have to re-align your vision, and that is okay! Take note of your transferable skills, and do not let this make you feel like you are falling behind or all this planning was for nothing.?

The hardest part of the plan is not the plan itself but shifting your habits and routines to be a better version of yourself.?

Now how can you maintain this plan? Staying committed can seem daunting, but it does not have to be - the beautiful thing about plans are that they are just plans. In some extreme circumstances, plans can change in a blink of an eye. So it’s crucial to be flexible and keep others in the loop.?

Your career journey may seem like a solo ride. But your mentors and network can keep you on the right track.?

By voicing your plan to a trusted friend or mentor, you will have a form of accountability. Another way to stay on track is to remind yourself what you gained after achieving one of your goals.?

This practice stems from gratitude, which is helpful for your well-being as you continue this journey.?Remember, this journey should include rewards. Completing any part of a five-year plan deserves a celebration!?

Lastly, if you still need more of a push to create that joyful and fulfilling life, check out the following resources:

Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life (video)

Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life?(book)