> Skip to content

Article  •  30 January 2017

 

Create your future map

Get the ball rolling towards a future that excites you.

‘So what’s the secret to reaching your goals and living the dream life you’ve always imagined?’ Ask Shannah Kennedy and Lyndall Mitchell in their book Chaos to Calm. ‘The answer is simple: it is all about choices. We make choices every day that affect, guide and steer us towards success.’

But how do we ensure we make the right decisions? A good healthy vision, based on your values, of what a fantastic future could look like is a great place to start. With a plan in place, it’s easier to make informed decisions based on creating pathways to your ideal future self.

From the pages of Chaos to Calm, here Kennedy and Mitchell offer some suggestions for how to start a three-year plan.

 

CREATE YOUR OWN CONFIDENT THREE-YEAR VISION

Start thinking about who you want to evolve into and how you see yourself living. Be bold! Decide what you want most in life, so you can plan how to obtain it or feel it.

Where will you be three years from today?

My age in three years is:

My partner’s, children’s, parents’ and pets’ ages in three years’ time are:

 

My Three-Year Vision Is . . .

Write down whatever comes to mind, without being held back by fears. Imagine you’re not limited by lack of money, skills or time. This is a list of the hopes and dreams you’re carrying for the next three years of your life. Remember to focus also on how you feel, not just what you think. For example: ‘I will feel confident when I am in control of my money, with a system that supports me and I understand my decisions in spending, saving and wealth creation.’

 

Powerful Thought Starters

• Who inspires you and why?

• What and who are most important to you?

• How do you want to be remembered?

• If you were mindful of the golden moments in your life, what would you see?

• What kind of work do you want to be doing? How do you feel about this work?

• How much money will you be earning? What are you doing with it?

• What’s your health like? How are you getting these outcomes?

• Who brings you joy in your life? How do you spend your time together?

• What are you learning? What difference is this making in your life?

• What do you do for fun? Do you have a hobby or a passion project? Are you travelling?

• Where do you want to live? What makes this feel like a haven?

• What do you want your living environment to look like?

• Who do you want in your social circle? Who inspires and supports you?

• How will your core values be fulfilled?

• What will your purpose in life be?

• How will your finances be managed?

• What do you need to keep doing to keep your confidence at a healthy level?

• Who do you want to be in the family? How do you want to act and be around them?

 

Now you have some knowledge of what you want to create. You have ideas, inspirations and statements that excite you. Write a few paragraphs to capture this knowledge, exploring how you want to feel, look and act. Write as if it is actually happening, in the present tense. This will con­nect you emotionally with where you want to go. Watch the world open up to you after you do this activity. Your efforts will no doubt be rewarded as your decisions, in alignment with your values, will get you there.

Feature Title

Chaos to Calm
<h2>Clear your path to success and wellbeing.</h2>
Read more

More features

See all
Article
Pause, breathe, relax

Chaos to Calm: breathing exercises to help you take control with confidence.

Article
Staff recommendations: Books we've been loving

Want to know what books the Penguin NZ team have been reading and loving recently? Read on for our recommendations!

Article
5 of the hottest YA books right now (2025)

Check out some of the hottest YA books in stores now, from epic romantasy to sweet, unexpected romance.

Article
Best historical fiction books to read in 2025

From tales of Ancient Greece to epics set in the Second World War, these are the historical novels at the top of our reading piles this year.

Article
How to save money on groceries: 6 innovative budget tips

Food shopping on a budget? These tips from Money-Saving Meal Plans With Chelsea will help you spend less on food.

Article
Mother's Day Memories: Penguin Authors

For Mother's Day 2025 we're celebrating the power of books to bring us closer.

Article
Mother's Day Memories: Penguin Staff

For Mother's Day 2025 we're celebrating the power of books to bring us closer.

Article
Win mum her favourite books this Mother’s Day!

Let us know below which three of our fantastic Mother’s Day books mum would love, and we’ll send them to you in time for Mother’s Day!

Article
Our Favourite Film & TV Tie-Ins for 2025

Read on for some of the Film and TV tie-ins we're most excited about at the moment!

Article
Real Readers Review: Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

A star-crossed lovers romance that spans a millennia, what do readers really think about The Favourites?

Article
Pick a Patterson

Find your next thrill with these new James Patterson books!

Article
DK Catalogue 2025

Knowledge is adventure.

Looking for more articles?

See all articles