ROADMAP

Your roadmap is a written summary for achieving the Utopia you designed in the second stage of the FUTURE process. The roadmap you produce should include everything you have considered so far.

However, it should not be long, one or two pages at the most. You can pin it to a board or carry it with you. Importantly, it is easily accessible, and you can easily refer to it. Indeed, you should read it daily to remind yourself of where you are going, as you would (or should) refer to your map regularly if you were climbing a mountain or trekking in unknown territory.

You cannot fit your work on just one or two pages, so you will want to develop secondary plans. An obvious one is a financial plan, in which you will include present and projected figures and actions to address the weaknesses you identified in your key ratios assessment.

Similarly, you might have a secondary plan for your health, work, connections, children, parents, hobbies, interests, etc.

You will want to include goals and objectives in each secondary plan. However, remember these are not separate plans; their achievement will be part of your main roadmap towards a fulfilled life of purpose and wellbeing.

Write it down!

What are words worth? The lyrics to Wordy Rappinghood make great reading (and listening) as they identify so many types of words:

Words in paper, words in books
Words on TV, words for crooks
Words of comfort, words of peace
Words to make the fighting cease
Words to tell you what to do
Words are working hard for you.

Words have power, written words especially so.

In the financial services sector where I used to hang out, we had a mantra: If it wasn’t written down, it didn’t happen. It is a mantra that helped me to deal with the compliance burden, and on one occasion, the only time someone made a complaint, enabled me to prove to the Ombudsman that I had no case to answer.

Don’t keep your plans in your head. We can all imagine the life we want, but writing down your roadmap and plans brings them to life and helps make them happen. Importantly, the practice will encourage you to take the actions you set out in your roadmap and achieve the lifestyle you seek.

TAKE IT FURTHER

Reflect

Here are questions on which to reflect. Think of stories relating to the question and ask yourself what happened, so what and what next.

• What role do words and language play in shaping my actions and beliefs?
  Reflect on the power of the language you use in your roadmap. Are your words energising or limiting? Do they reflect who you are becoming, not just who you’ve been?
• How do I currently use writing to support my goals, and what could I improve?
  Explore your relationship with writing: Are your plans and goals written down clearly and regularly updated? Could journaling or documenting progress help more?
• What would be the most helpful format and place to keep my roadmap visible?
  Consider where and how you can make your roadmap accessible—whether it’s a physical pinboard, a journal, a phone lock screen, or a daily reminder in your calendar.

Comment

You can make your reflections real and actionable by recording them in writing, video or audio; if you want, share them using the link below.

Share

Share your thoughts, comments, and reflections in the comments section below and forward the post to a friend or colleague.

Discover

Your goals determine who you want to be, have, and do

https://wordsnotdeeds.co.uk/goals/
The deep work of setting your goals and aspirations will improve your well-being and light your torch.

Two years after ChatGPT, your words remain vital

https://wordsnotdeeds.co.uk/words/

Your written words create change and foster the long-term human relationships essential to a flourishing business and personal life.

Attributions and references

Photo attribution

Photo by N. on Unsplash

Audio link

https://audio.com/jeremy_deedes/audio/roadmap/

References

Wordy Rappinghood, Tom Tom Club

ABOUT

I work with ambitious, family-oriented professionals transitioning to independent consultants to create a 3 to 5-year holistic plan so that they grow wealthy, make a difference and find meaning.

My clients are aged 35-50. They are in a long-term relationship with family and parents who are supportive but ageing. They wrestle with personal and financial responsibilities and dream of more control, wealth, time and purpose.

If this excites you, you are coachable, willing to change, and want to stop going around in circles, then find out more at jeremydeedes.com

Then, take your next step and explore your way forward with a Mapmaker, a one-off online coaching gig to help you decide your options, assess our compatibility, and determine whether we are the right fit. Mapmaker is excellent value, held in confidence and without further commitment.

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so share your thoughts in the comments box below, and thank you for your time and generosity.

What do you think?

Your views are important, and your fellow readers would love to hear your opinion, so share your thoughts in the comments box below, and thank you for your time and generosity.