In Part I I talked about the fact that I actually want to work for myself. I find this super frightening, scary, and invigorating. The idea of this makes me feel so ALIVE, ALIVE, ALIVE. In a way that I haven’t felt like in awhile. The challenge of making something that is completely mine gives me a rush. In Part I I also began talking about a timeline of benchmarks that I would like to achieve. I ended with January 1, 2014 beginning to make accelerated payments on my student loans. Let’s continue with my life timeline…understanding that I understand that life will happen and things will change.
My timeline continues:
January 1, 2014-Make at least $500 a month via online endeavors. Finished losing the 20 freaking pounds!
February 2, 2014-Run the ING Miami 1/2 Marathon
Sometime at the end of the Spring of 2014-Engaged! I have to send out my intention
Sometime during the Spring of 2014-SEE MY GRANDMA!! This is a priority. Every 3-4 months now.
April 1, 2014-End of my No Shop Challenge.
Summer 2014-SEE MY GRANDMA!
June 2014-Fulbright trip!! I hope I will win a Fulbright!
July 11-13, 2014-World Domination Summit
Fall 2014-SEE MY GRANDMA!!
FALL 2014-Take Mom to Europe-off season. I would like to fly via Iceland air so that we can do the free layover in Iceland. Then direct to London visit my bestie, then to France-mom really dreams about France. If enough time Spain and Portugal too.
September 2014-Still working my job and kicking ass!!
October 2014-FinCon14! I would like to run a session at FinCon14 and I would like to win a Plutus Award for best new blog.
December 2014-Student Loan #1 Paid off-this one is a stretch! And making more than my current monthly earned income via online endeavors!
January-May 2015-Married and expecting-can’t lie…I want to get this done.
January 16-January 29, 2015-Australian Open….Honeymoon???
Spring/Summer/Fall 2015-SEE GRANDMA-Priority!
Fall 2015-Shortie (that would be adorable small person/child arrives!) Finish my current job…
***5 Years***
- Buy a condo in NYC-Part of “passive income” plan. Am already looking at listings, formulating a game plane
- Buy a condo in Miami-same as above
- Live in Colombia for a year-Have looked at schools, thought of a budget.
- A year traveling around the world..3,3,3,3, (basically 3 months in Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa)
- Pay of my tiny condo
- Ultra Festival, Iceland Airwaves, Tomorrowland
- Australian Tennis Open, Wimbledon, and Roland Garros. I went to the U.S. Tennis Open this year. I was sooo happy!
- Petra!! Tel Aviv, Dubai, Qatar, and Oman-I know people in all of these places!
- Alaska, Portland, Seattle, and Hawaii-I know people in all of these places!
Phew! That’s a lot of plans, dreams, and things to focus on. It’s also a lot of money! This type of list or vision for the future is not an unusual process for me to embark upon. In fact, I normally I have a 1-3-5 year list of goals/dreams/things I would like to achieve. It’s amazing how many things I’ve done because I’ve written it down on my list. Past goals include:
- Auditioning for professional cheer/dance squads
- Being in a music video
- Studying abroad in France-twice and studying in Argentina for a short program!
- Buying a home
I should mention that I have a lot of paid vacation time because of the length of time I’ve worked for the state. Some of the trips I’ve listed I will try to work the vacation time/bank holidays so that I can get my trips in. I am also working on my frequent flyer points and figuring out ways to grow those points.
I am fully aware that I won’t meet all of these goals…but, anything is possible. So, I am going to set a high bar for myself and see what happens. If I reach 1/4-1/2 of the goals I’ve set for myself I think that would be pretty damn amazing!
What do you dream about? Do you create a 1, 3, 5 year plan? Have you done this in the past? Where you successful in meeting some of the goals that you set for yourself? How did you go about meeting these goals.
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Budget & the Beach says
I LOVE this!!! I need to do one of my own. I’ve never been a big fan of goals, but I do like intentions and envisioning my future! Hey, what bout LA by the way!!! You know someone there too!
Michelle says
I love making lists! I don’t always do everything, but I find that the years where I’m not working a list are a lot less productive. I might be in L.A. in November…will keep you posted!
Budget and the Beach says
I hope so!! That would be great!
Michelle says
Love this post! I have a 5-year plan but I haven’t looked at it in a long time. Having a fun wedding, having baby #1 and paying off the mortgage are at the top of my list.
Michelle says
My lists keep me super focused. To some people it seems a bit much, but the list IS flexible. Except for the marriage and baby. Am ready for that now!
Hayley @ A Disease Called Debt says
I’ve never made a plan like this – I need to though, I think it’s a great motivator! Can’t wait to read more about your progress!
Michelle says
I find plans like these a lot of fun to do because you are only limited by your imagination. So, I just dream BIG and see where I land. If you write a list like this I def. would like to see it.
stayingonbudget says
Australian Open would be so much fun to go to! I have 5 year plans–debt free and house projects done!
Michelle says
I have friends who live in Australia so I would have a free place to stay. The big issue is money for the plane ticket. I want to see all 4 of the tennis opens. I have three more to go!
Dear Debt says
I love this list! Ambitious and amazing. I really want to go to Iceland Airwaves for my 30th in just 13 months! I went to Iceland this past January and it was amazing. I want to go to Portugal, France, Spain (again), Croatia, Japan, Thailand and more. It’s weird, I don’t really have any dreams of marriage, kids, or houses. I just want to pay off my debt, live abroad for a while and I would also like to work for myself at some point.
Michelle says
This weekend I’m going to the Iceland Naturally festival http://www.icelandnaturally.com I’m going to the dinner with friends on Friday and the free concert that they will be holding.I LOOOOOVEE traveling! My plan is to travel with the husband and shorty. Croatia, Iceland, Portugal, Australia, Colombia, Morocco, Namibia, Tanzania, and South Africa. Basically, I want to go everywhere!
Erin @ My Alternate Life says
Yes! Definitely come to Portland!
I absolutely love this. I’m inspired to work on my own :).
Michelle says
I’m hoping that next year’s FinCon will be in Portland or Austin!! Cross your fingers. Please share your list.
Erin @ Red Debted Stepchild says
I will definitely share! And I’d be fine with either of those cities! I’ve always wanted to visit Austin :).
Michelle says
Austin it is! I want to go to SXSW…but, that will cost a lot of money and I’m really looking to cut expenses going into 2014. Can’t believe this year is almost over.
lisavstheloans says
I’ve been avoiding making a 5-year plan because I just get overwhelmed by all that I want to accomplish and then I get intimidated by the thought of actually going for my dreams. I need to sit down and force myself to at least write them all down!
Michelle says
Instead of feeling intimidated, consider it a call to action. Once you have the list written down you can help but begin working towards some of your goals. If you write them down let me know!
Marissa@Financetriggers says
Love love love your list! I enjoy doing one for myself too. Just keep it at it. Remember progress is progress. Even if you don’t get to do everything, just being inspired and motivated with the thought of accomplishing these goals are worth it!
Michelle says
I like to dream big!LOL. My idea is to do at least 25% of the list within the first year and a half. The biggest for me would be to pay off the debt which would then jumpstart all of the other goals because I would have money to finance those dreams. I’ve had a lot of fun creating lists like this throughout my life so I can’t wait to see what I end up achieving.