Life Balance & Planning Guide

The following guide is a practical guide to designing an amazing life, adapted from the excellent book Born To Succeed by Steve Turner, which has been tested repeatedly by me, hundreds of times since 1995.  The purpose is simple to examine what you are doing well for yourself, what you are missing for perfect contentment, and how you want your own life to play out.  Call it manifestation, call it cutting out the bullshit, call it planning, it matters not. It is simple, and incredibly effective.

In short, you simply score yourself from 1-10 points, over the past 3 months, in all the major areas of your life (social, physical, professional, financial, health, spiritual and if you prefer, other categories also. You identify the good, the bad & the absent aspects.  Armed with that knowledge, for the first time in your life, you will understand what 10/10 looks like according to your unique personal journey through life.

Once you understand your personal 10/10 lifestyle, you simply write a statement for each of the areas of your life, in the present tense, but set 20-25 years from now. I am ABC, I do ABC, I don't do ABC, I look/ act/ feel like ABC, and so forth.,

Step 1: Self-Assessment for the Last 90 Days

Rate yourself from 1 to 10 in each area below, then complete the three lists:

1. Social (Friendships, networking, time with others)

2. Professional (career or job performance, skill development, career progress)

3. Financial (Income, savings, investments, spending control)

4. Health (Physical fitness, mental well-being, nutrition, sleep)

5. Family (Quality time, communication, relationships)

6. Spiritual (Personal beliefs, mindfulness, sense of purpose)

Make Three Lists for Each Area

What went well? (Achievements, improvements, good habits)

What got missed? (What suffered due to neglect, and what needs improvement?)

What would be needed for a perfect 10/10? (Your ideal vision for this area)

EXAMPLE

• Social 6/10 in the past 90 days, but why?
  • What went well? I socialised, went dancing, took dance classes, saw my friends a few times, and went to the cinema once.
  • What got missed? too much work, forgot birthdays, neglected family, under-relaxed, under-travelled
  • What is needed for 10/10? more focus on friendships & family, stark hiking, dance more, read more, travel nationally & internationally, make a bucket list and start gym (list action-specific steps to do these)

 

Repeat this for Professional, Financial, Health, Family, and Spiritual in the past 90 days.  In this example, the person wanted to examine 7, not 5 categories. For each 7, you see +, - and missing elements of their life.

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Step 2: Long-Term Vision: 20 Years from Now

Now that you fully understand what your personal 10 would look like, craft a short statement describing each area as if you were 20 years older, incorporating what went well and what is needed for a 10/10.

Example Statement for Social Life at Age 60

"I am 60 years old, and my social life is rich with deep connections. Over the years, I maintained strong friendships by prioritizing meetups and engaging in meaningful conversations. I made time to attend networking events, which helped me build a trusted circle of career contacts and mentors. To achieve this, I consistently scheduled social activities, stayed active in my community, and nurtured relationships, ensuring I never felt isolated."

Now, repeat this for the other five areas (professional, financial, health, family, spiritual)

 

Step 3: Medium-Term Vision: 5 Years from Today

Repeat the same process in step 2, but envision yourself 5 years from now instead of 20.

Example Statement for Professional Life in 5 Years

"I am [current age + 5], and my professional life is thriving. I have honed my job strategies, achieving consistent results while managing tasks effectively. I expanded my knowledge through continuous education and surrounded myself with successful peers who challenge and inspire me. I maintain balance, ensuring that work does not consume my personal life. I reached this level by tracking my progress, refining my routines, and seeking mentorship from those ahead of me."

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Action Plan: Steps to Reach Your Ideal Life in 5 Years

1. Social

For example, schedule weekly or monthly meetups with friends and peers

Attend one networking event per quarter

Initiate meaningful conversations with at least one new person per week

Set reminders to check in with distant friends

2. Professional

Dedicate X hours per week to develop my professional knowledge/ skills and strategies

Read one career-related book per quarter

Join a mentorship program or career-related group for accountability

Keep a journal of wins, losses, and lessons learned

3. Financial

Define clear profit & loss targets for the next 5 years

Automate X% of earnings into savings & investments

Reduce unnecessary expenses and reinvest profits wisely

Diversify income with secondary streams (investments, courses, side business, etc.)

4. Health

Follow a structured workout routine (3–5x per week)

Prioritize healthy eating & sleep hygiene

Implement stress management techniques (meditation, journaling)

Get annual health check-ups

5. Family

Schedule dedicated family time (weekly dinners, calls, trips)

Communicate openly about personal & professional life

Be present by setting boundaries on work and screen time

6. Spiritual

Engage in daily meditation or reflection

Pursue personal development & self-awareness

Contribute to a cause or community initiative

Align career success with a deeper life purpose

By following this structured approach, you create a roadmap for growth and balance while ensuring that job success aligns with a fulfilling life.