The Gap Map: Personal Mastery Plan

I have an RPM Planner.  It's a huge filofax style planner, that requires almost an A4 size hole in my suitcase.  It is incredibly inconvenient to carry, and often makes me feel like a wander when I carry it around.

However, it does keep everything in one place, and has pages like The Gap Map: Personal Mastery Plan.

Today I filled it out again, looking at what I reckon refection would be like in different parts of my life:
Physical, Emotional/Spiritual, Relationships, Time management, Career, Finances, and Contribution.  I reckon that most of the things we do in our lives will fit into one or more of those categories.  Firstly you look at what you want, why you want it, how to get there, and possible traps, and then where you are now.  It really works.  I first did it at Unleash The Power Within in 2007, and update it regularly.  It really helps me when planning my days/weeks/years.

Using your time wisely has all to do with making sure that you are heading in the right direction with your actions - Steven Covey said that the compass is more important than the clock.  His Book "First Things First" is a brilliant explanation of this, and Robbins' "Time of Your Life" is further explanation.

Well worth a read (an implementation) for anyone wanting to achieve their dreams.

30 Day Goals

Although the time of 30 days is arbitrary (let's face it January has 31 days), I find it helpful to make specific dates.  Having said that, if something will happen on Feb 2, then avoiding the 30 day milestones seems silly.

By the end of this month I envisage:

Having a BMI of 25,
Being able to run hard on my achilles tendon
Having a healthy Iron level
Having resolved my gastritis issues
Knowing my financial net worth (done)
Knowing My cashflow, and where there might be shortcomings
Having planned my 3, and 12 month milestone goals for all areas of my life.

That Should do it!

Progress

I managed to workout yesterday, and slowly but surely my achilles tendon is healing.  I have been running for 50 minutes preceded by 5BX, which is a great form of calisthenics.   Still running very slowly, but feeling better every day.  I have 4 weeks until my next race, and hope to be running at full speed by then.

Today I plan to look at where I am (and that means we) regarding finances.  It is easy for me to let things slide, because there is no immediate pain - we are financially pretty secure, being free of debt, own our home, and have some money in savings.  I have realised with true certainty that leverage is needed for serious wealth creation, and have not yet come across the formula that fits for me.  I also think that in the past I have always wanted the drama of big wins + losses (futures trading), rather than some (perhaps less thrilling) steadier methods, with less drama.

I have also managed to blow money on things as soon as I get a next egg together - usually courses on how to become wealthy! I get the feeling that learning how to get wealthy, along with the vicarious thrill of the success stories, has more appeal than the hard work (and patience) required.  Wealth creation is simple:

1. Spend less than you earn.
2. Invest The Difference.
3. Reinvest the profits(income).

But simple is often not easy!

Because I;

1. Hate to tell my family I don't have the ready money for anything.
2. Do not invest properly.
3. And usually have very little to reinvest.

I have a study groaning with books on wealth creation - the above message in every one - and am far wealthier than ever before (often from expected and unexpected sources), so some of it must be sticking!

A Great Start to the week

My week started early.

Yesterday (sunday), I actually planned out my week, or at least what I wanted to achieve from it. I use a product called the Rapid Planning Method. I basically have an old manual planner that looks like a preacher's bible, but on closer inspection is a zippered up ring binder.

Each week (well theoretically each week), I look at my long term goals, list what I need to do in the week, and then gather these action items around whatever the outcomes I am aiming to achieve for the week. I first learnt to do something very close to this from the Steven Covey Book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and have changed the methodology thanks to Anthony Robbins "Time of Your Life" course.

Although not perfect, I find that when I plan my week, with an eye on my long term goals, I have a week of achievement and fulfilment, and get about twice as much done compared to when I bumble through the week.