Begin with the end in mind
Let’s face it: none of us are getting out of here alive. It doesn’t matter how wealthy, healthy, or famous you are—one day, we’ll all return to the cosmic dust we came from. Maybe that’s a bleak way to start a blog post, but I’d argue it’s a powerful way to look at life. After all, if we’re going to live intentionally, it helps to begin with the end in mind.
This principle applies to just about anything, including the lives we’re living right now. Where do you want to end up? How do you plan to get there? What obstacles can you anticipate? Sit down, give yourself time to reflect on these questions, and be honest about your answers. Having a clear idea of the life you want to live and the person you want to become provides direction and purpose. As the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland so aptly put it: “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.”
Now, there’s definitely a place for spontaneity—sometimes just starting is enough. If your goal is to lose weight, you don’t necessarily need an elaborate plan to get the ball rolling; begin with small, consistent actions, and refine as you go. But for other goals—like building a career, writing a book, or launching a podcast—you might need a more thought-out approach.
I’ve set my sights on becoming an author. According to some sources, it can take around 140 hours to write a first draft. For a seasoned professional, maybe that’s doable in a straight shot. For me, I know I’m not at the level to crank out a Pierce Brown-style novel in 140 hours, so I’m taking the long view. That’s why I chose a career that demands clear, concise, and effective communication. It’s why I’m writing this blog post—every new piece is another rep that builds my writing strength.
The same philosophy applies to my podcast, Getting After It. I want it to be a more conversational show with guests, and the nearly 100 episodes I’ve recorded so far have been practice grounds. They’ve helped me figure out how to speak naturally, structure an interview, and figure out what questions to ask. By knowing where I want the podcast to go (the “end in mind”), I can shape my process and adapt to close the gap between where I am now and where I want to be.
Having a clear vision of your end goal gives you a light to look toward when life gets dark. If you believe you’re on the right path—no matter how tough it is—you have reason to hope. Maybe you’re working toward a fitness goal that feels brutal right now; hold on to the vision that it will get easier if you keep pushing. When doubts creep in, remember that countless others have walked a similar road before you and felt the same fears.
“Begin with the end in mind” is a mindset that can take a lifetime to fully master. One practical step is to ask yourself daily: “Is what I did today helping me become the person I want to be?”
If your answer is yes, celebrate that as a win. If it’s no, that’s still good news—you’ve identified what to adjust.
Roadblocks will come. Life has a way of throwing uppercuts when you least expect them, and most of the time, things won’t go exactly as planned. Still, if you know your destination, you can re-chart your path even after being knocked off course. Every step, no matter how small, is moving you closer to the person you want to become.
Remember, you don’t need to be perfect to make progress. You just need clarity on where you’re headed and the determination to keep showing up. So, begin with the end in mind, keep pushing through the tough stuff, and never forget to celebrate the small wins along the way.
A year, five years, or even a decade from now, you’ll look back and realize each intentional choice—made day by day—was exactly how you built the life you wanted.
Keep getting after it, my friends.