Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take?

Maybe you’re contemplating a job change, dreaming of starting your own business, or considering a move to a new place.

If so, I want to share a concept that’s been at the core of how I manage my life and has been incredibly helpful to me at times like this – I call it reverse lifestyle planning.

Not only has it helped me take back control of my work-life balance, but it has also guided me through some significant decisions.

If you’re grappling with some difficult choices this might offer some clarity!

Discovering Reverse Lifestyle Planning

I first came across reverse lifestyle planning through the work of Cal Newport.

If you’re not familiar with him, Cal is one of my favourite authors who explores deep work and intentional living.

The essence of reverse lifestyle planning is straightforward yet profound: you envision the life you want first, and then align your work and decisions to fit that vision.

Reverse Engineering Made a Difficult Decision Easy

When COVID struck I suddenly had more time to reflect on what I truly wanted from life and work.

I decided to sit down and create a detailed vision of what I wanted my life and work to look like.

This took a while to refine but once I had reverse engineered what I wanted this helped me to:

Gain Clarity: I understood that issues I thought I had with my job were actually about the lifestyle it enforced, not the work itself. I now had a clear image of where and how I wanted to work.

Feel Confident: I was able to make better choices knowing they were aligned with what truly mattered to me.

Stay Focused: It kept me on track toward achieving the balance I was seeking.

My plan was soon put to the test!

Whilst still working full-time from home, I was offered the chance to be considered for a very senior position.

On paper, it was a fantastic opportunity – more responsibility, a higher salary, and significant career advancement.

But I wasn’t sure it was the right move.

To help me decide, I examined how well it matched up to my vision.

It didn’t take long to realise that pursuing this would mean returning to the office regularly, longer hours, and less flexibility.

It was crystal clear that accepting the position would take me further away from the life I wanted.

So, I made the difficult decision not to pursue it.

As time passed and COVID restrictions eased, others in my company (including the chap that was eventually hired for the senior position), were pulled back to the office.

Because of the trust I’d built over the years, I was able to keep working from home most days which perfectly matched the vision I had created!

How Reverse Lifestyle Planning Can Help You

If you’re facing big decisions or feeling uncertain about your path, creating your own vision can be like having a life blueprint.

It can be incredibly helpful!

Here’s how:

Ask Yourself Key Questions:

• Where are you living? Describe the setting, city, or type of home.
• How are you spending your time each day? Consider work, hobbies, and personal activities.
• What are your top values? Identify what’s most important to you—flexibility, health, family, personal growth, or something else.

Create a Detailed Vision:

Write down your ideal living environment, work situation, health routines, relationships, and personal growth goals.

Establish Decision-Making Guidelines:

Define criteria that each decision should meet to bring you closer to your vision.

Use Your Vision as a Compass:

When opportunities arise, assess them against your vision to see if they align.

Final Thoughts

Reverse lifestyle planning has been a truly powerful tool in helping me create a life that aligns with my values and aspirations.

By taking the time to define what truly matters to you, you can make decisions that lead to greater fulfillment and happiness.

Have you ever considered creating a personal vision to guide your decisions?

Are you facing choices that could benefit from this approach?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

And if you know of anyway who is struggling with a difficult decision please share this with them.