Create a Life Plan

The main point of Back to Basics is to set one goal a week, then focus your best energy on achieving it. This works!
Elder James E. Faust has said:
“You cannot do everything well at the same time. You cannot be a 100 percent wife, a 100 percent mother, a 100 percent church worker, a 100 percent career person, and a 100 percent public-service person at the same time. How can all of these roles be coordinated? Says Sarah Davidson: ‘The only answer I come up with is that you can have it sequentially.’” (Ensign, “A Message to My Grandaughters: Becoming ‘Great Women,’” Sep. 1986, 16). [Faithful, Fit & Fabulous, Chapter Two].
Setting one goal a week, that’s the secret. And being happy with that is the success. As you build upon those successes, week after week, you are in effect building a strong and beautiful life.
Remember, set one goal, do your best to achieve it, then refine it until you’re reaching it 100 percent each week.
All my best,
Connie

6 thoughts on “Create a Life Plan”

  1. Hello Connie,
    I enjoy your writings so much. Over the last 10 years, I have really tried to simplify my life. There is so much I would love to do, but deep inside of me, the spiritual things (scriptures, conference talks, visiting teaching….etc) are most important to me. I do find it a daily challenge to keep that focus, because there are so many other options each day. I often remember the talk of Elder Oaks, “Good, Better, Best” and refer back to that.
    Thank you again for sharing your talents.
    Diane McFarlin

    1. Thank you so much! His talk is one of my favorites, I find myself doing that too. And using Sister Beck’s “Necessary, Essential, Nice” evaluation too. I’ve found doing it in chewable chunks as it were seems to help me better than trying to do a 20-minute sit-down. It’s just not my phase of life to do that. Kudos to you for continuing to evaluate and find the better ways that work for you. Truly, I think that’s what it’s about, always adjusting:)

  2. Dear Connie,
    I have began your FF&F book several times but never seem to get past the Creating a Life Plan part. I have come to realize many things through my adult life, mainly that I am a people pleasing person. It makes me likeable, but not very happy. How do I create a life plan, when I don’t know what I want? It sounds terribly pathetic, but I have always done what others wanted to do because it made them happy, and for a time I thought it made me happy too, but I have come to realize that I have needs too and they aren’t being met. I know you are a very busy person, so I will spare you the whine (ha), do you have any tips for BEFORE the back to basics? I just turned 41, and don’t know where to start.
    Thanks

    1. Hi Sharlyn,
      So glad you posted! You are totally not alone. Many women have the same issue, mainly because the wonderful trait of wanting to help others has developed into hyper pleasing–soooo common among us women, drives us crazy. But kudos to you for recognizing that. Some great tips for moving beyond that and doing your Life Plan are found on my site right here if you put in the Search bar, “Create a Life Plan” or just “Life Plan”. Also, on my facebook page called Connie’s Corner (Back to Basics page is for general motivation and posts; Connie’s Corner is a little more intimate and book group feel) you’ll find a whole section on creating your Life Plan. That includes a vision board with tips, how-tos, and even a guest video of how to make one. That being said, begin by getting still. Have a notepad with you and answer the questions in the book honestly, from your soul. No one will see them so just be gut honest. Then, as you allow yourself to imagine, pray about which ones are right for you, and right for you at this season of your life. Then choose one to start with. Don’t overwhelm yourself with more than feels comfortable or interesting to pursue. Get the voices of other people and their opinions out of your head by focusing on God and His desires for you, and what YOU feel in your heart. Align the two and you will be back to that norm you’re wanting! Good luck and keep me posted:)

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