After months of self-reflection, deep dives into values, and dreaming up a career vision that actually feels aligned—you’re probably asking: Now what?

This is the moment where dreaming meets design.

And if you’re anything like me, the idea of designing your next chapter feels both empowering and a little overwhelming. I remember staring at a blank page, trying to map out what I wanted the next two years to look like while juggling uncertainty, imposter syndrome, and a tiny voice whispering, “What if it doesn’t work?”

But here’s what I’ve learned: clarity builds with momentum. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need to take the first few aligned steps.

Why Two Years?

Two years is a powerful window of time. It’s long enough to build something meaningful and short enough to experiment, pivot, and reflect. In both Eastern and Western frameworks, transformation unfolds in cycles—whether it’s the two-year Saturn return integration in astrology or the behavioral psychology principle that it takes months (not weeks) to reshape deep habits.

According to goal-setting theory in psychology (Locke & Latham, 2002), people are more likely to achieve their goals when they are specific, time-bound, and broken into manageable steps. Two years gives you a tangible timeline to design around, without the paralysis that comes with 10-year forecasting.

Step One: Change

Start with what’s not working. Your anti-vision is just as important as your vision. For me, this looked like letting go of “performative productivity,” over-giving in workspaces that didn’t nourish me, and pretending I had it all figured out.

🔹 What patterns are you ready to leave behind?

🔹 What habits or mindsets do you want to release?

🔹 What boundaries do you need to strengthen?

Journal Prompt: “In two years, I no longer want to…”

Step Two: Learn

Your vision likely includes new territory. Maybe it’s a new industry, a skill you haven’t mastered yet, or a role you’ve never held.

When I transitioned into product leadership, I had to learn not just frameworks—but how to speak the language of influence, build stakeholder trust, and manage energy like a CEO.

📚 Consider:

• What books, courses, or certifications would deepen your growth?

• Who can mentor or coach you?

• What feedback loops will help you improve?

Eastern Insight: In Zen tradition, this is the beginner’s mind (shoshin)—staying open, curious, and non-attached to the ego of already knowing.

Step Three: Experience

Life isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how you feel doing it. What moments will make you feel alive over the next two years?

For me, that meant co-creating in the community, traveling slowly, and finally starting the healing program I kept putting off.

Make a list:

• Personal experiences you want to create (travel, rest, family time, spiritual learning)

• Professional experiences (building a product, launching a brand, leading a team, mentoring others)

Western Backing: Research from Dr. Laurie Santos and the Yale “Science of Wellbeing” course shows that experiences, not achievements, fuel lasting happiness.

Step Four: Accomplish

Yes, we want to live deeply. But we also want to build things that matter.

🔹 What do you want to say you’ve created, contributed to, or completed two years from now?

🔹 What metrics or milestones would show you’re on track?

🔹 What do you want your portfolio, business, or resume to reflect?

 Think in terms of:

• Creative outputs

• Revenue goals

• Client impact

• Speaking or publishing

• Leadership roles

Ritual Tip: On the new moon each month, revisit your top 1-3 priorities and reflect: “What moved forward this month?”

Step Five: Accept What’s Still Fuzzy

Not knowing is part of the path.

There were chapters where my vision was blurry, but I still made moves. I trusted the tiny breadcrumb moments: the conversations that sparked something, the books that made me cry, the jobs I said no to even though I was scared.

✨ Ask yourself:

• What am I still unclear about?

• What feels tender, scary, or unresolved?

• What am I willing to explore without needing a full answer?

This is where faith meets design. In Eastern traditions, surrender (Ishvara Pranidhana in yoga philosophy) isn’t about giving up—it’s about trusting life while showing up fully.

The Vision in Action

I recommend setting up a biweekly ritual to check in with your 2-Year Vision:

👉🏽 Are your actions aligned?

👉🏽 Are your emotions supporting or sabotaging your direction?

👉🏽 What’s shifting, and how can you revise the path?

Even when you’re not sure where it’s all leading, remember: every choice you make from your truth is a vote for your future.

Final Reflection: Your Personal 2-Year Blueprint

What do I want to change?
What do I want to learn?
What do I want to experience (personally + professionally)?
What do I want to accomplish?
What am I still unsure of or holding doubt around?

You don’t need to know the whole path. You just need the next few steps and a heart open enough to take them.