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Ever feel like you could be better than your current self, that you’re more than this?
But somehow, even though you know you can do better, you struggle to break through.
I have good news for you: with the right tool, you can and will break through.
In this article, I’ll show you practical steps you can take using my Long-Range View principle to crack that exam, get out of debt, or solve any problem holding you back right now.
The Long-Range View principle has three core pillars that operate in a circular continuum:
Foresight > Planning > Execution
Here are practical ways to apply these three pillars to solve any problem:
Step 1: Start with Foresight
Start building a picture (in your mind) of what it will look like to overcome the problem.
This may sound simple, but it is a very powerful first step.
When you see that debt paid in full, see yourself pass that exam, or have that difficult conversation you’ve been procrastinating—you will be surprised how that suddenly builds a powerful motivation to act.
Not so fast, though, we’re not jumping to acting yet!
For some problems, it is easy to envision the outcome. However, for others, you may need to research what the end may look like.
As a matter of fact, as you’ll see later in this article, research is a very good tool for developing foresight.
Why? Because you don’t know what you don’t know. Sometimes, it is difficult to “see” what you have never experienced.
Take paying off your debt, for example. If you’ve always been in debt—or have been for a long time—you’re so used to it that seeing the end is blurry.
So, to help you with that vision, do a Google search of “what it feels like to pay off my debt.”
Now, write down the foresight. Take a pen and paper and write it down.
Alternatively, open a Microsoft Word or Google Docs document and write down:
- What it will feel like to be out of debt (or whatever problem you’re trying to solve)
- One benefit of solving this problem
Once you have written down—as clear as day—what the end of the problem will look like, proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Develop a Meticulous Plan
Having a vision or foresight of the solution without developing a plan—a set of actions—to tackle the problem is like wishful thinking.
But the Long-Range View is NOT wishful thinking. It is practical.
So, start writing things you need to do to resolve the problem.
Continuing with the debt example, your first step may be to make a budget. After that, you may want to contact all your creditors and agree on a repayment plan.
Once again, research will be handy. Google “how to do ABC” or “steps I need to take to do XYZ.”
Ensure that the actions you’re writing down are things you can actually do. There is no need to include impractical actions, as it will become wishful thinking.
It is essential to say that, for some types of problems—for example, getting a new job, passing an interview, or an exam—preparation forms an integral part of your plan.
If the problem you’re trying to crack requires preparation, write down how you would prepare.
For example, when I interviewed for my current job, I wrote down potential questions based on the job description and prepared answers to them.
Before you proceed to the final step of the Long-Range View principle—Flawless Execution—write down this plan in the same document where you wrote your foresight.
Step 3: Execute the Actions
Having developed a vision of the end of the problem and created a set of actions you must take to achieve that foresight, you must now ACT.
Without action—obvious as it sounds—you cannot achieve that end goal!
I intentionally call this step ‘flawless execution‘ because it is crucial to implement your plan step by step, without missing any step.
If you’re someone who procrastinates, maybe you can start by developing a Long-Range View for solving that problem first!
This is because, as I said before, and obviously, if you do not act or execute your plan, you cannot achieve that exciting end you envisioned.
Speaking of envisioning, at the stage of execution, I find that continuously painting that picture acts as a motivator.
For me, I stay motivated during this phase by thinking about the end result. This is a powerful tool I encourage you to use.
If some of the actions are boring—as in real life, some will be—continuously painting a picture of the end result will spur and jolt you to act.
Step 4: Circle Back, Refine, and Repeat
Earlier, I said that the Long-Range View principle has three core pillars that operate in a circular continuum.
This is a very important element of this principle.
Whenever I have applied this principle to solve a problem, I find that while implementing my plan in the execution phase, the outcome could be better.
When this happens, I go back and refine my foresight.
This makes the Long-Range View principle such a powerful tool. It allows you to—and you should—refine your foresight.
Once I refine what the end looks like, I find that I now need to adjust my planning.
Finally, I return to execution.
This process continues until I achieve my final result.
For you, continue with Foresight > Planning > Execution until you pay off that debt, pass that exam, or get that job.
Conclusion
Mediocrity is being average, underachieving, or operating sub-optimally.
Some people may not even know they’re living a mediocre life.
But if you’ve read this article to this point, you do not belong to that camp.
Fortunately for you, you acknowledge that your life can be better and you want to do something about it.
As you have seen, I developed the Long-Range View principle for you. A principle with three core pillars: Foresight > Planning > Execution.
If you apply these pillars to any problem in the way I have described in this article, I’m confident that you—just like I have on so many occasions—can crack any problem.
I hope this will help you move from mediocrity to excellence and become the best version of yourself.
The choice is yours—settle for mediocrity, or take the Long-Range View and win.
