Foundation for Moving Forward

Creating the next rendition of ourselves involves thoughtful reflection and deliberate planning. In my framework, which I call the "Foundation for Moving Forward," I've identified five essential criteria for defining your next rendition and setting goals. To begin, consider this process as a change process. You will be identifying what you believe is necessary for your next version—whatever that might be. This involves asking yourself critical questions: What direction am I heading? What do I feel I need for my life? The five criteria help you answer the crucial question: How will I know when I've arrived at my next rendition? These criteria serve as tangible indicators of progress, helping you identify specific outcomes that signify you are on the right path.?

Defining criteria involves making an educated guess about what you want your future to include. You envision aspects like how you'll look, how you'll behave, and how you'll show up in various situations. By envisioning and embodying these criteria, you create a tangible path towards your next version, making it easier to track and celebrate your achievements along the way.

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Organizing Criteria Topics

When determining your five criteria for success, it’s important to consider how you organize them. Some of the clients I work with find it easiest to organize by the 'Ws' - Who, What, Where, Why, When. You could also organize them by categories like lifestyle, the value and dynamics of the people you will be with, your role and what you want to contribute or deliver next, and so forth. Remember, the five criteria are your best guess at what your ideal professional and personal life looks like. They help you visualize and define what success means to you, and they guide you in recognizing when you’ve arrived at your next rendition. We have found that people can keep right around five top of mind. More than that tends to be too complex.?

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How to develop your own 5 criteria

Balance is key when developing your criteria. Separate them into purpose-driven and practical categories. Purpose-driven criteria focus on your values and the broader impact you want to have, while practical criteria include factors like salary, benefits, travel requirements, and work-life balance.

To guide your reflection, ask yourself key questions: What do you need to feel fulfilled in your next role? What kind of work environment and culture do you thrive in? What lifestyle changes or considerations are important for your well-being? By clearly defining your top five criteria, you create a solid foundation for evaluating potential life changes. This helps you stay true to your goals and avoid being swayed by appealing but misaligned opportunities. Your criteria keep you accountable to your future self, ensuring that your life choices support your long-term vision and purpose.

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One of my own personal five criteria is freedom - being able to organize my time so that my life remains balanced. I would love to hear from you! Please share your own criteria in the comments.