You Don’t Plan Your Future—You Plan Your Actions Today: How to Shape the Life You Want

The idea of planning your future is intoxicating.

We imagine ourselves living the dream: financial stability, fulfilling relationships, good health, and boundless opportunities.

It feels productive to sit with a pen and paper and map out our five-year plan, doesn't it?

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: your future isn’t created by lofty aspirations—it’s shaped by the actions you take today.

What if, instead of fixating on a distant "someday," you focused on the present moment?

The Trap of Planning Too Much

Planning can feel like a form of control, a way to comfort yourself with the illusion that you’re steering your life in the right direction. But there’s a fine line between meaningful preparation and procrastination disguised as productivity.

Have you ever spent hours crafting a perfect plan only to abandon it the next day? Or worse, you created such an intricate roadmap that the sheer weight of following through felt paralyzing?

That’s because over-planning keeps you in the realm of ideas, not action.

The better question isn’t, “What do I want my life to look like in ten years?” It’s, “What am I doing today that moves me closer to that life?”

The Power of the 100-Day Lens

Here’s a thought experiment to sharpen your focus:

If I repeated this day for 100 straight days, would my life be better or worse?

This question strips away the ambiguity of long-term goals and lays bare the habits that define your life.

Think about it: if you spent the next 100 days eating poorly, skipping workouts, avoiding hard conversations, or mindlessly scrolling on your phone, what would your life look like?

On the flip side, what would happen if you invested those 100 days in meaningful actions, even small ones, like walking for 20 minutes, reading a book, or reaching out to a friend?

Small actions compound into big results. But it works both ways—good habits build up just as bad ones do.

How This Plays Out in Life

Let’s break this down into relatable scenarios:

1. Health:
   You dream of being fit and energetic. But if you’re not making time for exercise or consistently choosing nutritious meals today, what are you building for tomorrow?
2. Career:
   You fantasize about a promotion or running your own business. Yet, if you’re procrastinating, avoiding skill-building, or disengaged at work, your future self won’t magically succeed.
3. Relationships:
   You want meaningful connections. But if you’re not showing up with kindness, listening, or nurturing trust today, those bonds will wither instead of flourish.

A Roadmap to Change

If you’re ready to shift from overthinking the future to mastering your actions today, here’s how to do it:

1. Anchor Your Vision in the Present
   Identify your future goals, but ask yourself: what daily habits align with this vision? Want to be healthier? Start with drinking water, prepping meals, or taking a short walk.
2. Set "Non-Negotiables"
   Choose 1–3 small but essential actions to repeat every day. These are the building blocks of your future.
3. Ask the 100-Day Question
   Before ending your day, reflect: if this day repeated 100 times, would I be proud of the result? This single question cuts through excuses and forces clarity.
4. Track Progress, Not Perfection
   Consistency beats intensity every time. Instead of chasing a perfect streak, aim for steady improvement. Miss a day? Get back on track tomorrow.
5. Revisit and Adjust
   Life evolves. Every month or so, review your habits and goals. Are they still aligned? Are you slipping into old patterns? Course-correct as needed.

Reflection Prompt to Get Started

Take a moment to journal on this:

1. What is one area of your life where you feel stuck or frustrated?
2. What daily action could you take today (and every day) that would improve this area over time?
3. If you repeated today for 100 days, what kind of life would you be living?

By focusing on your actions in the present, you relinquish the stress of trying to control the future.

Ironically, this is how you create a life worth living—a life built on intention, not wishful thinking.

So, ask yourself: What will you do today?

Until next time
RD Bertus Coetzer