The Mirror - PPO Plan
We all have goals, correct?! We all have dreams and aspirations for a fulfilling life, right!? Even though our goals and dreams may be as different as the stars in the sky, we all can accomplish the our goals. We put in the work, show up when we don't want to, we make sacrifices, and we remain committed - We achieve our goals! Your goals and dreams do not come true by just sitting there and wishing things would change. Your dreams come true by taking a small step daily to work towards the life you want and CAN create. Each day REQUIRES you to show up for yourself and work towards that goal. And the best time to start is today, not tomorrow or the next day, but right now - make yourself feel motivated and ready to take action.
Think of your goals and dreams as your future home. You will not build a sturdy, well-built home that can outlast difficult times in a day. You must build the quality of your home one brick at a time. Lay the foundation brick by brick, day by day.
What can you do today to lay a brick to start building your foundation?
For example, if you plan to run a 26.2-mile marathon, you will not or should not wait until the day before the marathon to start running. You build on your momentum. You give yourself a plan. You begin running 1 mile, then 2 miles, then complete a 5k (3.1 miles). After that, you may run 8 miles, then a 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles), and so on as you progress towards your goal. James Clear also uses running as an example in his book Atomic Habits. James and I both encourage you to have a strong foundation. We must start even before our shoes hit the pavement. In this example, running a marathon, the first brick laid could be you set out your running shoes for the next day. Or you could identify a running route that you can run this week. Or you could set an alarm to get up to run. The point is that you can take a step or lay a brick each day that helps you work towards your goal. Other examples of small steps could be researching training plans, joining a running group, or even just visualizing yourself crossing the finish line.
I refer to this blueprint as your PPO PLAN - Persistent PayOff Plan. The PPO Plan is a specific plan of actions you can take each day that will pay off in the long run. If you want to be a runner, start by laying your clothes out TO RUN. If you want to write a book, start by making a title page. If you want to start a podcast, start by listening to podcasts. Do you want to know a secret? - You can change along the way! You don't want to set your clothes, maybe you want to get new sneakers. You could change the title of your book. You may choose not to listen to podcasts; instead, brainstorm scripts to create content. The key is TO START - in any way JUST START. Your PPO Plan is only in effect, matters, and works only if you act to start creating the future YOU, you deserve!
You can hold yourself accountable to your PPO plan every day to cast votes for your future self and develop the identity you desire. What does it mean to 'cast votes for your future self'? It means that every action you take, no matter how small, is a vote for the person you want to become. If you want to be a writer, every time you sit down to write, you're casting a vote for the future writer in you. Ultimately, it depends on how hard you work and the barriers you face to achieve your goals. Some individuals may need to start small, while others may be able to accomplish bigger and larger things at a faster pace. Remember, this is your journey, and it is ultimately on your timeline, so do not ever feel rushed or the need to achieve your goals on someone else's timeline. The essence of this blog is an opportunity to start today with little steps working toward who you want to become. There is no right or wrong formula for achieving your goals. But nothing will change if nothing changes. Shall I say that again - Nothing CHANGES, if NOTHING changes.
I was having dinner with a dear friend, and I shared information about the PPO plan. Her follow-up question to me was where are you with your book, it got me thinking that I've been editing my book now for almost one year, and I don't have much to show for the edits made, so when it comes to a PPO plan, make sure your take time to re-evaluate is your plan working and progressing you towards your goals. It makes sense to be willing to lay the foundation, pick up the pen, and have a blueprint and a roadmap for your foundation. You can't just willy-nilly lay your bricks all over the place and hope someday it makes some sort of structure that you can build a future. You need to have a blueprint that helps you map out your future life, goals, and the future self you want to create. Only then can you successfully start laying the bricks, and I am forever grateful for that question that challenged my encouragement.
So here’s the final piece: your dreams don’t just need your effort — they need your intention. Your PPO Plan is your commitment to showing up daily, but without a clear blueprint, your effort can be scattered but take time to align. Think of your goals not only as a home to be built but as a masterpiece to be intentionally designed. You need to know what kind of life you're building, not just how hard you're working to build it.
The good news? You get to design the blueprint. You get to shift it, edit it, tear it up and start again if needed — because this is your journey. But what’s non-negotiable is the showing up part. Taking action. One step. One brick. One decision at a time. And some days, the biggest step forward might be a question from a friend that jolts you into realignment — just like mine did.
So if you're reading this, take this as your gentle nudge and bold reminder: start today. Lay one brick. Draft the first version of your blueprint. Don’t wait for the perfect plan or the perfect time — they rarely show up. But you can. Today. Tomorrow. And the day after that.
The life you dream of is not only possible — it’s already waiting for you. All you have to do is begin, and keep building.
Let’s lay that next brick.
YOU GOT THIS!!
I will leave you with some inspiring words from James Clear -
"You want two things:
1. Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. No wasted movement. No wasted effort.
2. Compounding. Every project should have a long runway and feed the others."
Disclaimer:
The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health professionals with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice based on information you have read here.
