‘Begin with the end in mind’ was one of author Stephen Covey’s clever ideas. He first revealed it in his book, The 7 habits of highly effective people’, back in 1989 and has sold 25 million copies.

When we come to work each morning, most of us start by looking at our email. It’s understandable. But it isn’t effective.

And if we’re unhappy with our ‘significant other’ we’re likely to grumble to our best friend, rather than visualise what life could be like.

Covey says we need to stand back, and decide what we need to achieve. It’s a form of goal setting. But it’s better than having goals, because it forces us to look at where we want to be and work backwards from that, doing tasks that will move us towards that end.

How to ‘begin with the end in mind’

1. Decide what you want to achieve. What is your one big goal? It has to be rational. We may all aspire to write the next world class novel, but most of us won’t achieve that.

You’re reading this because there’s something in your life that you’re unhappy with, and you’re aiming to change it. So, write down what that one thing is.

2. Write down the steps that will make that happen.

The one big thing I need to change in my life

Steps that will make it happen

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