Recently, while listening to Rob Dial Jr. on the "Mindset Mentor" podcast, a particular episode made me pause and deeply consider my future. He challenged listeners to envision their ideal life in 10 years—where they want to live, who they want to be, and how much money they want in the bank.

Although his focus was broad, my attention quickly turned to my professional life. I realized that in 10 years, I could retire from my current job. Since I never envisioned myself fully retiring, I started to think about what my next chapter might look like. The business I own is something I plan to expand, but until now, I hadn’t clearly visualized what that expansion could involve.

Inspired by the podcast, I began to consider the future phase of my business. Where will I be working? Will my ideal office be in an urban center, my current home, or perhaps at a remote location? I also thought about the quality of my professional relationships, considering the depth of my connections and the state of my network. Financial goals are also important, so I imagined a bank account that reflects both my future success and my priorities.

Next, I considered the characteristics of a person living this ideal professional life. How do they manage their time, master skills, or communicate with clients?

To align more closely with this envisioned professional self, I began to think about my habits and mindset. There are practices I should continue, such as creating quality content and providing excellent service to my clients. However, I also identified areas needing improvement, such as increasing my attendance at networking events and overcoming my hesitation to market my services or wait for my product to be "perfect."

I can’t achieve my ideal life unless I make a dedicated effort every day.

So, each morning I’ve started to remind myself of who I aspire to become. When faced with choices, I ask, "What would my future self do?" This question acts as a compass, steering my actions towards my goals. It is a work in progress, but I am moving forward. I also encourage you to try this strategy too.

As a challenge this week, I invite you to consider where you want to be in 10 years. Envision your future - where you are, and who you want to be. Then, develop a simple "Start, Stop, and Continue" strategy to clearly articulate your goals. When faced with a choice, imagine what your ideal future self would do.

Transforming into your ideal self involves more than just changing activities; it's about evolving who you are. By focusing on personal development and stepping out of our comfort zone, the milestones we envision will naturally unfold. This journey will require discipline, dedication, and self-reflection, but with a clear vision, we can shape our lives to fulfill our highest aspirations.