Write down your mission to make it real

Goal setting transforms wishes into a concrete roadmap. The first step is uncovering your “blue flame”—the unique spark at the intersection of what you love and what you’re good at. Think of it as your personal mission: a phrase that makes you sit up in your chair.

Once your mission is drafted, you reverse engineer it. Pin down what you aim to achieve in three years—your A-goal—and then set secondary milestones at the one-year and ninety-day marks. This stratification makes a daunting goal feel manageable.

The next piece is people: identify two to three mentors or advisors who can share wisdom or open doors for each milestone. Don’t leave them guessing—reach out with a brief note, telling them about your mission and asking if they can share insight on that specific step.

Finally, lock in accountability. Schedule a weekly review—fifteen minutes of quiet reflection to track your progress and plan your next outreach. This ritual ensures that your mission stays front and center, guiding the people you meet and the choices you make.

Set aside ten minutes tonight to write your blue-flame mission in fifty words. Then sketch three milestones—three years, one year, and ninety days—and list the mentors, friends, or experts you need to consult for each. By next week, pick one person from your list to reach out to, share your mission, and solicit their advice. This simple exercise turns big dreams into actionable steps.