I’ve been using the same life planning framework for the past 10 years.

And it’s changed my life.

Not in a big “one decision changed everything” kind of way.

But in the slower, quieter way—year after year, decision after decision—this system helped me build a life that feels more like mine.

I started using it when I was 21.

At the time, I was living in Canada, studying business, trying to figure out how to break into product management.

I didn’t know anyone in tech. I didn’t have the “right” background.

But I had a dream: move to San Francisco, work in product, and build a career that gave me both freedom and purpose.

Every December, I’d sit down with a notebook and ask myself:

• Where am I now?
• What’s working? What’s not?
• And what do I want my life to look like next year?

Over time, that notebook turned into a full system.

And now, I use it every year—to reflect, reset, and realign.

To check in with the version of myself I’m becoming.

To notice what needs to shift, and what still feels true.

If you’re ready to design your next year with more intention—this post will walk you through the exact steps.

PART 1: Look Back and Brainstorm

Before you plan ahead, look back.

Step 1: Reflect on 2023 (30 min)

Ask yourself:

• What went well? What felt energizing, expansive, or deeply aligned?
• What felt slightly off? What drained you or left you feeling stuck?

Use any categories that feel true to your life.

Here are the ones I use:

1. Health – mind, body, spirit
2. Finances
3. Purpose / Work
4. Personal growth – education, spirituality, learning
5. Relationships – family, friends, dating, community
6. Environment – home, travel, physical space
7. Creativity – art, self-expression, writing
8. Fun – hobbies, adventure, lifestyle
9. Giving back – service, mentorship, contribution

Write 2–4 sentences for each. Keep it honest. This isn’t a performance—it’s a check-in.

Step 2: Big-Picture Questions (10 min)

Answer these quickly—don’t overthink:

• If I had all the money in the world, what would I be doing (life + work)?
• What will I most regret not doing at the end of my life?
• What does my ideal day, week, or month look like?
• Where do I see myself two to five years from now?

Let this part be a little dreamy. Don’t worry about how realistic it is yet.

PART 2: Your Ideal Life Vision

This part is about defining your vision—not forever, just for the next two years.

Step 1: “My Life Is Ideal When…” (1 hour)

Go category by category. For each one, write a sentence or two answering:

“My life is ideal when…”

Be specific, but flexible. You’re not locking yourself into anything. You’re just getting honest about what alignment looks like right now.

Examples from my own past:

• Purpose / Work: I’m building programs, content, and teams that help people navigate life’s pivots through healing, education, and creative design.
• Health: I prioritize physical, emotional, and spiritual health every day through food, sleep, nature, rituals, and slowing down.
• Environment: I live in a bright, peaceful home surrounded by nature and community—where I can create, rest, and invite others in.

Don’t skip this. Your vision becomes your compass.

PART 3: The Gap

Step 1: Rate Each Category (15 min)

Look at your “ideal life” statements.

For each category, rate from 1–5:

👉🏽 How closely am I living this version of my life right now?

This will show you where your biggest gaps are.

Step 2: What Will It Take? (30 min)

For each category that’s below a 4, ask:

👉🏽 What would it take to move closer?

Write a few ideas. It doesn’t need to be a full strategy—just a starting point.

PART 4: Your Core Priorities

This is where a lot of people get stuck.

Because once you see all the areas of your life clearly, it’s tempting to want to fix everything all at once.

But clarity without focus leads to overwhelm.

Step 1: Pick Your 3–5 Priorities for the Next 6 Months (15 min)

Ask yourself:

• What do I need most right now?
• What would change everything if it improved—even a little?

Then rank your top categories. Not forever. Just for the next 6 months.

Example:

1. Health – I need to feel more grounded and stable to create anything else.
2. Financial Stability – I want to feel secure so I can take creative risks.
3. Creativity – I want to experiment again. Write, build, create for myself—not just work.

Use these priorities to filter decisions. Every yes or no should point toward this list.

PART 5: Options and Goals

This part is especially helpful if you’re in a career pivot or life transition.

Step 1: Map Your Options

Based on your priorities, brainstorm 2–5 different paths or options.

Example:

• Founding a creative studio
• Doing consulting for wellness brands
• Building a product in the healing or education space
• Taking a remote product job that gives you space to focus on art or courses
• Freelancing part-time while launching your coaching business

Now, gut-check each option against your ideal life vision.

➡️ What would this option give me in terms of money, flexibility, and fulfillment?

➡️ What trade-offs would I need to make?

➡️ Which ones make me feel clear vs. compressed?

Step 2: Set Tangible Goals for Q1 or Q2

Make the goals small enough to complete in the next 3–6 months.

Examples:

• Health: Sleep by 11 pm 4 nights a week.
• Work: Apply to 5 jobs that match my ideal role and company values.
• Creativity: Share one piece of writing or art each week.
• Relationships: Host one dinner or connection ritual each month.
• Finances: Save $2,000 towards travel or a creative sabbatical.

Make it practical. Make it doable.

Then build systems that support them—so you don’t need motivation to carry you every day.

Final Thoughts

The version of me who first did this process was 21 years old, living in Toronto, dreaming about San Francisco.

I had no money. No contacts. No roadmap.

Just this weird sense that if I got clear on what I wanted—and took consistent action toward it, I could build something real.

And I did.

I moved to the States. Switched careers. Built a seven-figure SaaS company.

Then left it all behind to heal. To reset. To reconnect with the deeper version of myself.

This framework has evolved with me.

It helped me pivot from tech to spirituality. From performance to presence. From proving myself to choosing myself.

I’m still figuring it out.

But every year, I sit down and ask the same thing:

Who am I becoming?

And what kind of life will help me meet her?

That’s all this is.

A reset. A mirror. A map.

Your life doesn’t have to look perfect.

It just has to feel true.