10 steps to create your personal development roadmap

“It is not the blow of the wind, but the direction of the sail that determines your destiny” — Jim Rohn

“If you learn to set sail well, the wind that blows will always carry you to the dreams you desire, the income you desire, and the treasures of mind, pocket, and soul you desire.” -Jim Rohn

Have you ever stopped to consider why you get the results you do? Do you wonder why some people seem “lucky” and can glide through life always achieving more, while others struggle daily just to make ends meet? Do you know where you want to go in life?

Where you end up in life is mostly the result of the small choices you make each day. Small, seemingly inconsequential decisions can have a big impact on your life later. Imagine you are on a flight from Phoenix to Chicago. If the plane deviated just 1 degree, where would you go? I don’t know exactly, but I know it wouldn’t be anywhere near Chicago!

When Jim Rohn says that it is the play in your sail that determines your destiny, he is referring to the way you live your life in each moment of each day. Setting sail means knowing exactly where you want to go and having a specific plan for getting there. When you know these things, you can factor that information into your decision-making process to ensure you’re getting closer to your goals. Without the information, you will have no way of knowing where your decisions will take you.

The key is to stay focused on your destination and flexible in your route. The “how” will change, just like the wind. When that happens, you must be willing and able to adjust your course; to put his sail back to capitalize on the change.

The following 10 steps will help you build your personal development roadmap and set sail to achieve your dreams:

• Clearly identify, in writing, the results you want to achieve (your destination).
• If possible, find photos/images that represent your destination. This helps to make the visualization of the final result more concrete.
• Identify all the reasons why you want to achieve these results (why do you want to reach the chosen destination?). The reasons must be personal and compelling; they must be yours.
• What will you need to learn or do differently? What critical information or skill are you missing that is holding you back?
• What have you done in the past that can help you get to where you want to be in the future? What skills can you develop?
• Who will you need to help you on your journey?
• When do you expect to arrive? How long will it take to achieve the results you want?
• How will you get there? What is your plan? Think about the last step you will need to take before finally reaching your destination. Then continue working backward with each step until you reach the present. Realize and accept that the plan will change and evolve as you progress, learn, and/or encounter obstacles.
• What will you do and how will you feel when you have reached your destination? Decide in advance how you will celebrate and appreciate your achievement. Use your vivid imagination to see and feel yourself achieving!
• Choose a new destination and repeat the process; always focusing on continuous improvement and designing your future.

Get started today by choosing your destination, setting sail for a successful voyage, and taking control of your personal development!