Do you know what you want to spend your time on over the course of the next year? Do you know where you want to spend your money? Can you describe your passion and life’s work?
One of the best ways to find happiness and create wealth is to have clear goals and direction. But sometimes, you don’t know exactly what you want.
One of the best exercises I have done is to write a letter as my future self. Specifically, I imagine myself a year from now, and I write a letter to myself looking back at and reflecting on the past year.
As you finish a month of preparing for the next year, spend 30 minutes and do the following exercise.
How to Write a Letter as Your Future Self
It may feel a bit odd, but here is how the exercise works.
Get a fresh sheet of paper or open up a blank document on your computer.
Imagine yourself one year from now. Start writing.
Dear Me,
Over the past year look at all I have accomplished ___________________.
Start filling in the blanks and write in first person.
Answer the following questions:
- What have you accomplished?
- How do you feel?
- What does your health and fitness look like?
- What does your family and friends look like and feel like? What do your relationships look like?
- What is your spiritual life like
- What about work? What feels like your purpose?
- What is your financial situation?
What to Do with Your Letter
Once you’ve written the letter, set it aside. Then, come back to it the next day and edit it a bit.
Then, set it aside again. After that, return to your letter at least once a week. Spend a few minutes reading and then reflecting on what you’ve written.
If there are particular days or weeks you feel lost, like you don’t know what to do next, come come back to your letter. Doing this will provide you with the focus to know what you should be working on each day.
While this exercise may sound little challenging, or even cheesy, it is extremely powerful. Trust me. Try it. It may change your life.
