5 DAYS TO YOUR
BEST YEAR EVER WORKBOOK
GET CLEAR, GET MOTIVATED, GET STARTED.
MICHAEL HYATT

INTRODUCTION Congratulations on taking a huge step toward making this your best year ever! I’m thrilled to welcome you to the course. I can’t wait to hear what you’ll achieve this year as a result of what you learn. As I said in the videos, I designed this course for busy, high-achievers like you. The curriculum is very concentrated and intended to get you up and running toward your goals faster than you ever thought possible. As you prepare to begin, here are three strategies to help you get the most out of this course: 1. Make an appointment with yourself: You’ve heard it before. If it doesn’t get scheduled it doesn’t get done. So, right now, before you do anything else, block out thirty to forty-five minutes a day for the next five days. 2. Complete the exercises: Choose today to fully plan out this year. Don’t settle for being a spectator. The exercises are designed to create breakthroughs, so don’t miss out. 3. Finish the course: How often have you bought a book or course and then let it collect dust on the shelf (or on your hard drive)? Not this time. Make the commitment that you will complete all five lessons no matter what. Show up for yourself. Your transformation depends on it. If you follow these steps, I promise you, this will be your best year ever. I’m cheering you on! Now, go get started. Warm Regards,
D AY O N E BELIEVE IN THE POSSIBILITY EXERCISE OVERVIEW In this video, we talked about what it would be like to experience your best year ever in five key areas: physically, intellectually, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. In order to do that, you need to embrace three truths about the future: 1. Your limiting beliefs are the only thing holding you back. 2. You have more power than you think; the only thing missing is clarity. 3. You have more resources than you can possibly imagine. The good news is that your best days are ahead—but, to experience them, you need to shift your thinking. EXERCISE INSTRUCTIONS Today’s exercise will take you about twenty minutes to complete. I recommend that you turn off your phone, disconnect from your email, and find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed to complete this exercise. Before you begin, I want to ask you to suspend disbelief, and affirm that your future does not equal the past.
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EXERCISE
1. Write down your top five limiting beliefs. Be specific, especially as it relates to your dreams and aspirations. Place a checkmark next to the ones you are willing to give up, or at least reconsider.
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2. Make a list of three areas where you need clarity. Where do you need to get clear about what you want.
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3: Make a list of ten things you are grateful for right now. Be specific. Consider the various categories of your life.
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D AY T W O COMPLETE THE PAST EXERCISE OVERVIEW If you are committed to moving confidently into the future, you must first do business with the past. In the context of goal setting, it’s useful to evaluate the previous year, including its successes and failures, lessons and themes, before attempting to create a different outcome in the months ahead. There are three elements of properly doing business with the past: 1. Acknowledge what happened. 2. Learn from the experience. 3. Adjust your behavior accordingly. At the end of the video, I shared the seven-question process I use to bring closure to the previous year. Each question is designed to help you examine what happened, what you want to repeat, and what you don’t want to do again.
EXERCISE INSTRUCTIONS Today’s exercise will take longer than the others to complete—probably about forty-five minutes to an hour, depending on how deep you go.
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Don’t be tempted to skip this one. Trust me on this—it is well worth your time. To get the most out of this exercise, again, reserve a block of time to complete the questions, eliminate distractions, and find a quiet place where you are able to think and reflect without being interrupted.
EXERCISE QUESTIONS
Q: What movie genre would best describe the past year of your life (e.g., adventure, tragedy, romance, drama, comedy, etc.)?
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Q: What two to three major themes kept recurring in your life last year?
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Q: What accomplishments are you most proud of achieving last year?
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Q: What do you feel you should have been acknowledged for but weren’t?
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Q: What disappointments or regrets did you experience last year?
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Q: What was missing from your life last year if you look back? Look at major areas of your life. Â (Examples: More time with your spouse, more time for strategic planning, more time to read books, etc.)
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Q: What were the major life lessons that you learned last year? Try to break them down into small statements.
Examples: 1. “There comes a point in every experience when I’m too far in to quit, but almost certain I can’t finish. If I keep moving forward, I’ll eventually get to the other side.” 2. “Don’t overthink the outcome; just do the next right thing.” A: ______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 6
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D AY T H R E E DESIGN YOUR FUTURE EXERCISE OVERVIEW We’re at the halfway point of the course. This is where we turn from laying the groundwork and addressing the past to looking ahead to the future. It’s going to get really exciting, because you are about to design the next year of your life. In this video, I shared four practices for setting effective goals: 1. Write your goals down: Research shows us that just writing down our goals dramatically increases the probability that we will accomplish them. 2. Make your goals SMARTER: When setting goals, use this seven-fold SMARTER criteria. The criteria are:
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Specific Measurable Actionable Realistic Time-Bound Exciting Relevant
3. Share your goals selectively: Studies have shown that you are less likely to accomplish your goals if you share them indiscriminately. Conversely, 8
you are more likely to achieve your goals if you share them with someone who is supportive. The lesson is to choose wisely. 4. Review your goals regularly: Finally, make sure to set regular appointments with yourself to review your goals. I recommend that you do this weekly. This will ensure that they stay at the forefront of your mind, and help to consistently align your priorities with what you have already determined to be most important.
EXERCISE INSTRUCTIONS Today’s exercise will probably take you about twenty to thirty minutes to complete. I encourage you to get yourself in an inspired state. Maybe take a walk or run before you begin. Sit in a quiet place with a great view if you can. And, consider listening to an epic movie sound track to get you subconsciously connected to the importance of what you are doing. This is where the rubber meets the road. Designing your future begins now.
EXAMPLES OF SMARTER GOALS 1. Specific: Identify exactly what you want to accomplish.
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Bad: “Publish a book.”
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Good: “Write a book proposal for The Life Plan Manifesto.”
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2. Measurable: Quantify the result.
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Bad: “Earn more this year than last.”
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Good: “Earn $25,000 more this year than last.”
3. Actionable: Start with an action verb, not a to-be verb.
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Bad: “Be more consistent in blogging.”
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Good: “Write two blog posts each week.”
4. Realistic: Recognize and implement the power of incremental change over time.
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Bad: “Qualify for the PGA Tour as a golfer.”
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Good: “Lower my golf handicap by four strokes.”
5. Time-Bound: Set a specific deadline.
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Bad: “I want to lose twenty pounds.”
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Good: “I will lose twenty pounds by December 31.”
6. Exciting: Make your goals personally compelling.
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Bad: “I will train to run a marathon.” (but I HATE solo sports)
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Good: “I will attend a local PiYo class 4 days a week.”
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7. Relevant: Make sure your goals are appropriate to the season of your life.
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Bad: “I will spend an hour a day in spiritual quiet time, beginning at 6 am.” (But, I have a 18 month old who wakes up at 5:30 every day.)
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Good: “I will spend 20 minutes in spiritual quiet time while my daughter naps daily at 1 p.m..”
EXERCISE Write down 7-10 SMARTER goals. Remember, it’s critical to include non-career goals.
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Identify ONE push goal. (Remember, the idea here is to choose the goal that acts like a domino for all the others. Which one will be the catalyst to help you accomplish your entire list or most of it?)
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D AY F O U R IDENTIFY YOUR WHY EXERCISE OVERVIEW I’ve seen it time and time again. People lose their way because they lose their why. One of the most important aspects of achieving the goals you set is to get deeply connected with your motivations. In fact, you can unleash a powerful source of personal motivation by taking five actions:
1. Identify your key motivations: Answer the following questions: Why is this goal important to me? What is at stake if I don’t reach my goal? What is at stake if I do? 2. Record those key motivations: I recommend that you make a bulleted list of five to seven key motivations for each of your goals. 3. Prioritize your key motivations: As you look at the list you’ve created, which one resonates most deeply with you emotionally? Put that goal at the top of your list. 4. Connect with your key motivations: It’s critical to connect with your motivations intellectually, and emotionally. You need to understand, and feel what’s at stake.
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5. Review your key motivations regularly: In the same way that I recommend that you receive your goals, you need to review your motivations on a regular basis. I keep mine underneath each goal in an Evernote document. That way, it’s easy to review both my goals and my motivations together weekly. You may want to do the same.
EXERCISE INSTRUCTIONS For this exercise, you’ll want to set aside about thirty minutes. Again, try to set the stage for a breakthrough by avoiding distractions and interruptions. Step 1: On the following pages, list the SMARTER goals you set yesterday. Step 2: Next, think of five to seven motivations for each of your goals. Step 3: Ask yourself, “Why is this goal important? What’s at stake both positively, and negatively? Step 4: Identify which one is most meaningful to you. Step 5: Enter your key motivation for each goal in the space labeled “Key Motivation” right below the spot where you recorded your goal.
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Goal 1: ___________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Key Motivation: ___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
List of 5–7 Motivations: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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Goal 2: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Key Motivation: ___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
List of 5–7 Motivations: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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Goal 3: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Key Motivation: ___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
List of 5–7 Motivations: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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Goal 4: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Key Motivation: ___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
List of 5–7 Motivations: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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Goal 5: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Key Motivation: ___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
List of 5–7 Motivations: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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Goal 6: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Key Motivation: ___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
List of 5–7 Motivations: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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Goal 7: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Key Motivation: ___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
List of 5–7 Motivations: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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Goal 8: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Key Motivation: ___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
List of 5–7 Motivations: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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Goal 9: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Key Motivation: ___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
List of 5–7 Motivations: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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Goal 10: _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Key Motivation: ___________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
List of 5–7 Motivations: _____________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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D AY F I V E MAKE IT HAPPEN EXERCISE OVERVIEW I’m so proud of you. You’re almost finished preparing yourself to achieve more than you’ve ever imagined in the next twelve months. Only one thing stands between you and your goals—getting started. This is the most important part of making this your best year ever. In order to begin, follow these seven steps: 1. Get off your “but”: Don’t let your circumstances become an excuse. (e.g., “I would love to train for a half-marathon BUT________.”) 2. Don’t overthink it: Extensive planning can often be a fancy way to procrastinate. Instead, get started and you’ll figure things out along the way. 3. Chunk down your goals: In order to reach your goals, you just need to take the next action, then the next. When you think about your goals, break them down into bite-size chunks until you have gone the whole distance. 4. Get it on your calendar: If you’re like most people, if it doesn’t get on your calendar, it doesn’t get done. You won’t accomplish your goals in the leftover time, because most of us don’t have any. 5. Honor your commitment: Take your goals seriously. Think of them as your solemn commitment to change, and honor them accordingly.
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6. Maintain forward momentum: Each action you take builds momentum toward your goal. I recommend that you schedule time to work on your goals, possibly first thing in the morning when you have the smallest chance of getting derailed. 7. Celebrate your wins: If you don’t celebrate your wins along the way, you’ll lose the energy you need to reach the finish line. Make it a point to include those closest to you when you celebrate. This multiplies the meaning of the celebration.
EXERCISE INSTRUCTIONS For this exercise, you’ll want to set aside about thirty to forty-five minutes minutes. You’ll want to have your favorite calendar app close at hand for the scheduling part of this assignment: Step 1: On the following pages, list the next action you need to take for each of your goals. Ask yourself, “What’s the very next thing I need to do to reach this goal?” Step 2: Schedule a month’s worth of appointments on your calendar to work on your goals. Step 3: Schedule a regular time to review your progress throughout the year. I do this once a week, Make sure to get these appointments on the calendar. Step 4: Don’t hesitate to ask for help. If you are not making the progress you’d like to see on one of your goals, it’s time to bring in outside resources.
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Goal 1: ___________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Next Action: ______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Goal 2: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Next Action: ______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Goal 3: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Next Action: ______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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Goal 4: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Next Action: ______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Goal 5: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Next Action: ______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Goal 6: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Next Action: ______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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Goal 7: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Next Action: ______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Goal 8: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Next Action: ______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Goal 9: __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Next Action: ______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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Goal 10: _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
Next Action: ______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
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