Dream BIG! Envision where you want to go and what you want to be!

Sound familiar?

But have you ever missed achieving those dreams? I have.

Being honest with yourself as to why you didn’t achieve your goals can be downright hard. At times, it might even feel like it is the end of the world.

Oh, it is easy to come up with excuses and justifications. It is easy to get distracted and deviate from your plans. Let’s be honest with one another. Life is complicated. Things happen that side rail dreams.

I’m also sure you’ve heard bromides such as “put it behind you,” “refocus,” and “move on.” But what if I said that there is a technique that might help you remain on track so that your dreams are met?

That technique: A Letter to Your Future Self.

So, don’t hesitate to dream BIG and envision where you want to be in a year or even five years. Then, step back and ask yourself “where do you want to be” in 90 days, personally and professionally. Be realistic.

But just don’t ask yourself where you want to be, write A Letter to Your Future Self. Write the letter as if you have already achieved your goals and your dreams have been met.

Your life is up to you. Just like your support team that is there to help you, so is this letter. This letter is another tool to help you SOAR!

You have the wisdom within you. Challenge yourself to use your wisdom, think ahead, and focus on the future.

Read the letter every day to help build your confidence level and provide the guidance you need. Remind yourself of where you want to be in 90 days. After 90 days, write another letter.

Studies have shown the better you can articulate where you want to be in the future, the greater the chance of achieving that future.

You might be saying, wait a minute. I have a business plan and the business plan keeps me on target. For you, your business plan might be enough. But what I’ve found is that I need more than the business plan because the business plan focuses on the business aspects of my life and there is more to live than business.

Your goals, professionally and personally, are included in A Letter to Your Future Self.

Life is not only work and everyone needs balance to enjoy life. It is easy to get busy and focus on the business forgetting about what a person needs to enjoy life.

My letter to my future self, even if not written with perfection, adds an additional level of support and helps keep me focused on what is important to me.

How do you write a 90-day letter? An internet search reveals several different approaches and although they are similar, they are also different. Many say write the letter, put it aside, and come back to it at a designated future date.

My approach is slightly different. I use the letter by reading it daily and then evaluating where I am in 90 days. Then, I write another letter.

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START

I start with a list of professional and personal questions that force me to reflect and evaluate myself objectively.

Here are a few of my questions.

• Who do I want to be and what do I want to be known for?
• Am I living life according to my core values and personal standards?
• What is preventing me from moving ahead?
• If I’m not moving forward, how will I conquer the obstacles?
• What is the one thing I would like to achieve in my business in the next 90 days?
• Is there one business action that if I complete it over the next 90 days will have huge impact on the business and my life?
• How much do I want to increase my income over the next 90 days?
• Is there something in my personal life that needs improvement within the next 90 days?
• Are there habits that need to be changed?
• What professional and personal relationships need more attention?
• Are there any professional and personal relationships that need to be dissolved?
• Is there anything that I need to stop doing or start doing?
• What do I want more of in my life right now?

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CONTINUE

Next, I add my feelings and emotions to my answers and comments. Tangible metrics are great but it is how you feel that has the biggest impact on your success.

For example, I’ve struggled my entire life with my weight. Actually, the only time I was able to keep my weight under control was when I was in my 30’s. At the time I was writing a 90-day letter to myself. The letter wasn’t pretty and the sentences weren’t well written, but it was a letter. The thing is, I can’t tell you is why I stopped the 90-day letter activity.

I went back to writing a 90-day letter to my future self as the world was emerging from the COVID crisis. One of the first comments, even before I thought about professional goals, related to my weight and physical well-being.

You lost XX pounds! Tracking what you eat has definitely helped you remain on course. You went off track a few times, but you jumped right back on and didn’t give up. You feel physically great and your confidence has increased. You feel better about you.

Another comment is...

Your business has grown by $$$ over the last 90 days. Good job on remaining focused and working your strategic networking and targeted outreach plans.

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FINISH

Finally, write the letter to you in a positive and encouraging format. I ditch perfection because this letter is for me, no one else. I focus on small realistic goals and goals that will have the biggest bang for me personally and professionally.

My letter starts by reminding me that growth occurs by “laying one brick at a time” and it ends with a CELEBRATION.

Hi Laura,

Slow down. Be Patient. So, you still have more to do. Let’s look at what you have accomplished.

• Insert Your Comments Here

Now, go out and celebrate. Take advantage of the fall weather before it turns cold. Grab Dave, a bottle of wine, cheese, fruit, and bread. Retreat to one of your quiet places for one of you cherished picnics.

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One last point, keep this letter with you. Read it every day. Use this letter to help support you and your dreams. DREAM BIG and SOAR! I like to see people SOAR and see their dreams come through.

Have a great day and until next week.

Laura Burford

(610)429-3122

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