Most people move through life without a clear roadmap, reacting to events as they happen and hoping things turn out well. Unfortunately, this reactive approach often leads to disappointment, frustration, and a nagging sense that life could be more fulfilling if only we knew how to guide it. Recognizing this widespread struggle, Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy co-authored the bestselling book Living Forward, offering readers a method to design intentional and purpose-driven lives.
Yet, even as Living Forward resonated with many, Hyatt later admitted there were challenges that the book didn’t fully address. First, not everyone feels comfortable writing out a life plan. Even seasoned writers can find it intimidating, fearing that they won’t express their deepest aspirations accurately. Second, confronting the idea of our mortality, a key exercise in the book, can be emotionally daunting for many.
Determined to refine the life planning process and make it more accessible, Hyatt and his team developed LifeFocus, a gamified system that simplifies and energizes the process of creating a life plan. Rather than staring at a blank page, users engage with eleven thoughtfully designed card decks that guide them through each step, helping to clarify their values, mission, and vision for the future.
Begin with Self-Discovery
The first step in LifeFocus emphasizes understanding who you are at your core. This involves identifying your values—the fundamental beliefs that shape your decisions and behavior. While we all possess values, few of us take the time to articulate them explicitly. LifeFocus encourages users to select five to seven key values using its values deck, providing clear definitions to help users connect with what truly matters.
For example, one of Hyatt’s own values is growth, which he defines as a commitment to continually learn and develop to fulfill his potential. By articulating values, individuals create a strong foundation that informs every other part of their life plan.
Once values are clarified, the next step is defining a personal mission. LifeFocus breaks this down into three components: roles, impact, and activities. Roles reflect the different positions we occupy, such as parent, leader, or mentor. Impact refers to the positive change we aim to make in the world. Activities are the specific actions we take to fulfill our roles and achieve our desired impact. LifeFocus even provides a simple mission statement template: “I am a(n) [ROLE(S)]. I exist to [IMPACT(S)]. I do this by [ACTIVITIES].”
Envision Your Future
With a firm grasp of who you are, the next step is to define where you want to go. LifeFocus encourages users to consider nine distinct domains: body, mind, spirit, love, family, community, money, work, and hobbies. The card decks offer prompts and sample statements to spark ideas for each area, making the process feel approachable and inspiring.
For instance, in the domain of love, prompts might include, “We have worked through significant pain and built a relationship we both love,” or “Everything is talkaboutable, making space for deep and open communication.” These aspirational statements help individuals envision thriving relationships, regardless of past experiences.
When considering the mind, prompts like “My mind is a place of order and peace,” or “I keep a clear head by limiting my social media and news consumption,” encourage users to reflect on their mental well-being and cognitive habits. Even the work domain is addressed, with prompts such as, “I’m working fewer than ___ hours a week without compromising my results,” or “I have hired team members, allowing me to focus on my highest contribution.”
Anchor Your Vision with Purpose
A vision, no matter how inspiring, needs a strong emotional and logical foundation. This is where understanding your “why” becomes crucial. By connecting their vision to their core values and mission, individuals reinforce the significance of their goals. Hyatt emphasizes asking questions like: What’s at stake? What opportunities open up if this vision becomes reality? This emotional resonance increases the likelihood of sustained motivation and commitment.
Create a Path Forward
Once the destination is clear and the motivation solidified, it’s time to chart a course. LifeFocus guides users in setting specific milestones for one, three, and five years, alongside establishing consistent habits that support long-term progress. These milestones are then translated into SMARTER goals (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Risky, Time-keyed, Exciting, and Relevant), ensuring that ambitions are both practical and inspiring.
For those seeking even more structure, Hyatt recommends integrating these goals into the Full Focus Planner, creating a comprehensive system that ties daily actions to long-term aspirations.
The Power of Life Planning
By systematically uncovering who you are, envisioning a compelling future, grounding your vision with personal significance, and breaking it down into achievable steps, life planning transforms vague hopes into tangible realities. LifeFocus brings this process to life in a way that feels not only accessible but also enjoyable.
Ultimately, the future isn’t something that simply happens to us. It’s something we actively shape through intention and action. With tools like LifeFocus, anyone can craft a future filled with purpose, balance, and fulfillment. The question that remains is: What will you make of your life?
