Living Forward by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy

Introduction:

Are you living the life you truly want, or are you merely going through the motions? In Living Forward, Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy guide readers through the art of intentional living with a structured life-planning process. This book isn’t just about achieving success—it’s about defining what success means to you, establishing a clear vision, and creating a roadmap for reaching it. In today’s fast-paced world, Hyatt and Harkavy believe that purpose-driven living is essential for fulfillment.

Here’s a look at the life-changing process they lay out to help you live forward, not backward.

Why Life Planning Matters

According to Living Forward, life planning is a proactive approach to achieving personal and professional fulfillment. Hyatt and Harkavy argue that without a clear plan, people drift through life, letting external circumstances determine their paths. A life plan helps you define your priorities, set meaningful goals, and stay aligned with your deepest values, bringing clarity to your purpose and direction.

• Pro-tip: Begin by visualizing your ideal life in detail, covering relationships, career, health, and personal growth. This vision becomes the foundation of your life plan.

• Example: If family is a priority, identify specific ways to invest time and energy into these relationships. This vision helps you make decisions in alignment with your values.

Step 1: Acknowledging the Need for Change

Hyatt and Harkavy emphasize that the journey starts with the realization that you need to take control of your life. Whether it’s dissatisfaction with a career, strained relationships, or personal goals slipping away, recognizing these gaps can motivate a commitment to change. The book encourages readers to take a close look at their lives to identify what’s working and what isn’t.

• Pro-tip: Write down three areas in your life where you feel unfulfilled. These insights can help you prioritize areas for change in your life plan.

Step 2: Writing Your Eulogy

Living Forward takes a bold approach to introspection by having readers write their own eulogies. This isn’t as grim as it may sound—instead, it helps you define the legacy you want to leave behind. The exercise provides a deep, reflective space to ask, “What do I want to be remembered for?” By framing your life through this lens, you can begin to prioritize what truly matters.

• Example: If you want to be remembered as a loving parent, a dedicated friend, or an inspiring leader, these elements will guide how you allocate your time and energy today.

Step 3: Creating Your Life Accounts

Hyatt and Harkavy introduce the concept of “Life Accounts,” which are the areas of your life where you want to invest energy and time. Common life accounts include relationships, health, career, finances, personal development, and spirituality. By organizing your life into these categories, you can create specific goals and actions for each area. This helps you manage and monitor these aspects of your life to achieve holistic balance.

• Pro-tip: Identify 6-8 Life Accounts and set one primary goal for each. This keeps the plan achievable and clear.

• Example: In your “Health” account, you might set a goal to exercise three times a week and eat a balanced diet. Small, consistent habits in each area add up over time.

Step 4: Developing an Action Plan

With your Life Accounts defined, the next step is crafting an actionable plan. Hyatt and Harkavy encourage breaking down large goals into manageable, bite-sized actions to prevent overwhelm. Set timelines for each action to keep you on track and committed to progress.

• Pro-tip: Start with short-term goals that can be achieved within 90 days. This “90-day sprint” approach allows you to see tangible progress and adjust as needed.

• Example: If improving your career is a priority, identify one professional skill to develop and set aside dedicated time for it. Whether it’s completing an online course or networking, specific actions are more manageable than vague intentions.

Step 5: Review and Revise Regularly

A life plan is a dynamic, evolving document that requires regular attention. Hyatt and Harkavy suggest reviewing your life plan every quarter to assess what’s working, address setbacks, and realign with your goals. Annual reviews offer a chance to make major adjustments as your life circumstances change.

• Pro-tip: Schedule a monthly review to track progress, celebrate wins, and identify areas needing improvement.

• Example: Use a journal to record monthly reflections on each Life Account. Assessing these notes over time provides valuable insight into your growth and helps refine your approach.

Essential Elements of a Life Plan

To make the process even more accessible, Living Forward highlights essential components of a successful life plan:

1. Vision for Each Life Account: Define an inspiring future for each area.
2. Purpose Statements: Outline why each Life Account matters to you.
3. Action Steps: List specific steps to achieve your vision.
4. Accountability: Identify an accountability partner to support your journey.
5. Tracking: Use a system, like a planner or journal, to monitor your progress.

With these elements, your life plan serves as a structured guide that can adapt as you grow and your life circumstances evolve.

Overcoming Roadblocks

Living Forward addresses common obstacles that can prevent life planning success:

• Perfectionism: The authors emphasize that an imperfect plan is better than no plan. Taking small steps forward is more productive than waiting for the “perfect” plan.

• Time Constraints: Many people feel they’re too busy for life planning. However, Hyatt and Harkavy argue that even small investments in planning yield huge benefits.

• Fear of Change: Change can be uncomfortable, but embracing it is essential for growth. The authors encourage focusing on the rewards of intentional living rather than potential risks.

Benefits of Life Planning

A life plan can bring numerous benefits, including:

• Clarity and Focus: By defining what matters most, you can make decisions more confidently, avoiding distractions and staying aligned with your vision.

• Reduced Stress: Life planning provides structure, which reduces stress and helps prevent overwhelm by breaking goals into manageable steps.

• Increased Happiness: Living according to your values and goals brings a sense of fulfillment that passive living can’t offer.

• Improved Relationships: A life plan that includes attention to relationships ensures you invest time in loved ones, deepening connections and mutual support.

• Personal Growth: A life plan encourages continuous improvement, helping you become the best version of yourself.

Conclusion:

Living Forward is an empowering guide to creating a purposeful life through a well-structured life plan. By defining your values, establishing Life Accounts, and committing to small, actionable steps, you can transform your life from reactive to intentional. Through quarterly and annual reviews, your plan evolves alongside you, supporting growth, balance, and fulfillment.

Are you ready to take control and live forward?