Your Ten Year Plan for a Remarkable Life

Would you like to have an amazing, remarkable life?

In a revealing episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, Debbie Millman shared an extraordinary personal development technique called "Your Ten-Year Plan for a Remarkable Life". Originally learned from her mentor Milton Glaser, this powerful affirmation exercise involves writing an incredibly detailed description of your life ten years in the future.

The core of the exercise is simple yet profound: imagine your ideal life , in 10 years time, in vivid, specific detail, and then commit that vision to paper. What makes this approach unique is the recommendation to read the essay annually, tracking how remarkably close the predictions come to reality.

Millman's own experience—and that of her students—suggests something almost magical happens when you deeply visualize your future. The predictions have an uncanny ability to manifest, transforming from seemingly far-fetched dreams into actual lived experiences.

This isn't just goal-setting; it's a deeply personal act of imagination that invites individuals to dream without limitations, creating a roadmap for personal transformation.

So what do I need to do? 

See below, what Debbie said in an extract from the transcript of the interview between  her and Tim. 

So lets say it is winter 2027 [Change for 10 years from now]What does your life look like? What are you doing? Where are you living? Who are you living with? Do you have pets? What kind of house are you in? is it an apartment? Are you in the city? Are you in the country? What does your furniture look like? What is your bed like? What are your sheets like? What kind of clothes do you wear? What kind of hair do you have? Tell me about your pets. Tell me about your significant other.

Do you have children? Do you have a car? Do you have a boat? Talk about your career. What do you want? What are you reading? What are you making?

What excites you? What is your health like? And write this day, this one day ten years from now. So, one day in the winter of 2027[Change for 10 years from now]; what does your whole day look like? Start from the minute you wake up, brush your teeth, have your coffee or tea, all the way through until when you tuck yourself in at night. What is that day like for you? Dream big. Dream without any fear. Write it all down. You don’t have to share it with anyone other than yourself. Put your whole heart into it and write like there’s no tomorrow. Write like your life depends on it because it does. And then, read it once a year and see what happens. It’s magic. 

Does it work?

It seems to. Debbie mentioned that she continually gets letters from her students saying things like "Debbie, it all came true! How did this happen?".

How long should it be?

Debbie mentioned that some are 2 pages, some are 20. She thought the longer it is the more likely it is to be affirmed, probably because you have put more effort and detail into it.

How to Create Your Ten-Year Plan

The Core Approach

• Choose a specific date in the future (e.g., Winter 2027)
• Write a detailed, immersive narrative of your ideal day
• Include every possible detail about your life

What to Include in Your Plan

1. Personal Details
• Living situation (city/country, type of home)
• Relationship status
• Pets
• Family structure
• Personal appearance
2. Professional Landscape

• Career trajectory
• What you're creating
• What excites you
• Professional goals
• Lifestyle Elements
• Daily routine
• Health status
• Hobbies
• Reading interests
• Personal possessions

Key Principles

• Dream Without Fear: Imagine your life with absolute certainty of success
• Be Specific: The more detailed, the more powerful
• Write Passionately: As if your life depends on it
• Review Annually: Read your plan once a year and track your progress

Pro Tip: Aim for 10-20 pages of handwritten content. The more care and detail you invest, the more likely your vision becomes reality.

Remember, this isn't just a planning exercise—it's a magical journey of self-discovery that has transformed countless lives by helping individuals visualize and manifest their deepest aspirations.

Reduce your Biological age - Mediterranean Diet

 

One way of reducing your biological age is to adopt a Mediterranean diet. 

To effectively adopt a Mediterranean diet, consider implementing the following actions that focus on food choices, meal planning, and lifestyle adjustments. This dietary pattern emphasizes whole foods, healthy fats, and a balanced approach to eating.

1. Focus on Whole Foods

Increase Fruits and Vegetables: Aim for at least five portions of fruits and vegetables daily. Incorporate a variety of colors and types to maximize nutrient intake.

Choose Whole Grains: Include at least three servings of whole grains each day, such as whole grain bread, pasta, brown rice, or oats.

Incorporate Legumes: Add pulses like lentils, chickpeas, and beans to your meals at least twice a week for added protein and fiber16.

2. Healthy Fats

Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Replace butter and other fats with extra virgin olive oil as your primary cooking oil. This is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine.

Include Nuts and Seeds: Snack on a handful of nuts or seeds daily. They provide healthy fats and can be added to salads or yogurt for extra flavour.

3. Protein Sources

Emphasize Fish and Seafood: Consume fish or seafood at least twice a week, with one serving being oily fish like salmon or sardines for their omega-3 fatty acids.

Limit Red Meat: Reduce red meat consumption significantly, opting for lean poultry in moderation instead. Consider using meat as a condiment in dishes rather than the main focus.

4. Meal Planning

Plan Balanced Meals: Structure meals around vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. For example:

Breakfast: Vegetable frittata with whole grain toast.

Lunch: Large salad with baked salmon, quinoa, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Dinner: Spicy lentil soup with spinach.

5. Lifestyle Adjustments

Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day; limit sugary drinks and opt for moderate wine consumption if desired.

Practice Mindful Eating: Share meals with family or friends whenever possible to enhance social connections and enjoy the dining experience.

Gradual Changes: Start by making small changes to your diet each week, such as incorporating more vegetables or trying new recipes that align with Mediterranean principles4.

6. Avoid Processed Foods

Eliminate fast foods and processed snacks from your diet. Instead, prepare homemade alternatives that are healthier but still satisfying.

By incorporating these actions into your daily routine, you can successfully transition to a Mediterranean diet that promotes overall health and well-being.

Reduce your biological age

 

Here are a few ideas to reduce your biological age.

Choose one and incorporate it to your daily routine!

For further details click on the relevant link. 

1. Adopt a Mediterranean diet. 

How should I live my life ? - Learn from people at the end of their lives to make sure you don't have regrets

Bronnie Ware , an Australian nurse who spent several years caring for patients during the last 12 weeks of their lives, routinely asked her patients if they had ' any regrets  or anything they wanted to do differently'.  She' wrote a book called ' The top 5 regrets of the Dying'. These were:

1. I wish I 'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
• The most common regret was that people didn't follow their dreams. They wished they had the courage to live the life they wanted not what was expected by society/family/peer groups. This led to a sense of loss at the end of life.
2. I wish I hadn't worked so much.
• Many people prioritised work over personal relationships and experiences, which led to feelings of guilt and loneliness.
3. I wish I had the courage to express my feelings.
• Many people suppress their emotions to avoid conflict and discomfort, resulting in unfulfiled relationships, unresolved issues and sometimes even health problems. 
4. I wish I had stayed in  touch with my friends.
• There is so much data saying how important it is to have good friends.  Many people lose touch with close friends due to getting caught up in life.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
• Bronnie mentioned that most people realised at the end that happiness was a choice. Fear of change stopped them being silly or laughing properly. 

So what can we do to learn from these regrets?

1. Live true to yourself
• Identify your core values and passions
• Set personal goals that align with your authentic self
• Practice saying "no" to commitments that don't resonate with your true desires
• Regularly reflect on your life choices and adjust course if needed
2. Don't work too hard
• Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life
• Schedule regular time off for family, friends, and personal interests
• Reassess your career goals and work-life balance
• Consider flexible work arrangements or reduced hours if possible
3. Express your feelings
• Practice open communication with loved ones
• Keep a journal to explore and understand your emotions
• Seek therapy or counseling to improve emotional expression
• Have difficult but honest conversations when necessary
4. Stay in touch with friends
• Use technology to maintain connections (e.g., video calls, voice messages)
• Schedule regular check-ins with distant friends
• Send personalized notes or postcards to show you care
• Organize virtual or in-person gatherings with friend groups
5. Let yourself be happier
• Practice gratitude daily
• Engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment
• Challenge negative self-talk and limiting beliefs
• Prioritize self-care and mental health

Your time is limited. We can learn from people at the end of their lives, what is really important so make take at least one of these actions at start doing them.

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