Introducing the Energy and Action Framework (Version 3.0 – 2017)

As part of the holiday season, here’s the first post aimed at introducing the Energy and Action Framework – it builds upon a few of the first posts on this blog…

This post is aimed at those seeking to ramp the clarity in their lives across all of their Dimensions of Life (DOLs) and to go from the 50,000 foot view down to the actions to be taken today.

This framework has been developed and battle tested over the last two years with this current version being the third generation of the framework. For the first time, I’m publicly sharing what has transformed my energy output, restored my fire in many areas of my life, and has given rise to wave upon wave of output and goodness in my life. Much of the underlying truths were handed to me by those closest to me in my life, and in some cases messengers that were in my life for a distinct reason that has come and gone.

I’ll build out each step of the framework in more detail in subsequent posts. In subsequent posts, I’ll go through the more detailed questions worth considering and some tips to help you through the steps. I’ll also outline my personal experiences with this latest version of Energy and Action Framework, in the hopes of helping you avoid some of the pitfalls I’ve experienced in exercising these steps. Finally, I’ll summarize the key actions you can take without any additional consulting or product purchases.

For now, here are the high level steps to be considered, and ideally acted upon. The point here is to get started, and to not worry so much about the correctness or completeness of the outcome you arrive at. Many never even consider this type of planning and intentionality when it comes to their lives, so just by getting started on this journey you are ahead of the average player sitting next to you on that airplane or the clown in the car next to you at the stoplight messing around with their texts…

This framework and the resulting output that I’ve achieved helped drive me towards launching this online project, as I believe this can be readily acted upon – even if you take a portion of the framework forward.

I do expect this framework to continue to evolve as my learning deepens and extends as a result of my ongoing training and self investment. I will continue to update the Energy and Action Framework via this site – with the framework always being freely available to you via this site.

Step 0 aka Standing in Place – Where Are You Now?
Truly stop and consider how you are being today. How are you doing today? Inwardly – how are you doing? Outwardly – how are you doing? Do you have any stated direction in your life? Do you have a vision and blueprint on how you expect to get where you are headed? Is this written down? After you have established how you are being, what you are doing, are you ready to change your mindset to move forward one step at a time? Mindset is the key to taking the first step forward or continuing to stand right where you are. For some, learning to stand again is truly the first step.

Step 1 – Get Clear On Your Vision & Blueprint For Your Soul
Do you have a vision of yourself in a year? What would the version of yourself that is 10 years older than you are now – say to you about this vision of yourself or of the version you are heading towards becoming – if you don’t currently have a vision? There are some key questions that can unlock this first step forward, and for many – this step is the hardest. For me, getting this first step fully established was over a year of deep consideration and continued hacking. Going into it, I knew it was going to be a challenge, and I’ve landed on a strong point of view that has enabled me to uncover the rest of the framework.

Step 2 – Establish Your Core Values
Do you have a set of operating principles that you use on a daily basis? I’m sure you do. Are they written down? Are they coherent in all DOLs or are they inconsistent? Are you a creep in your personal life when you are out with your buds on the weekend? A seemingly solid family man with your family on Sundays and a dedicated producer at work during the week? Or are you operating differently depending upon the context you find yourself in, and are you doing so in a way that violates your self truth? Do you have a primary set of unassailable core values and a secondary set of guiding principles that may be bent if the conditions warrant?

Step 3 – Establish Your One Year Mission & Your Dimensions of Life aka DOLs
Anything beyond a one year mission statement is likely bullshit, let’s start right there. So much can happen when considering this level of planning a year out that many think even a year is too far out. Personally, I think a one year mission is useful as a guiding force, not necessarily as an absolute. What are you Dimensions of Life or DOLs? I’ve already articulated the 13 DOLs in a prior post – you can start with those as a baseline, some of them may not be appropriate for you – figuring those out for yourself is a big chunk of this step.

Step 4 – Per DOL – Define One Year Vision and Top Goals for each DOL
What are you looking to become in a year in each DOL? What are the goals that get you there on a per DOL basis? What is the number one goal that you’d like to hit in a year’s time for each of your DOL? Do you have a top 3 list in some areas? Are some DOLs more important than others? Get that inventory of goals for each DOL written down – ideally in a ranked order within each area of your life.

Step 5 – Prioritize DOLs and Associated Goals
Now that you have your vision, your values, your one year mission, your DOLs, and clearly stated goals for each DOL – what’s next? Well, it is getting exceptionally clear on the priority areas of your life and which goals you are going to absolutely deliver upon no matter what?

Step 6 – Get started
Begin by decomposing those goals you have prioritized and establish a daily habit aimed at taking one action a day aimed at those goals. Complete something each day, and begin to witness the expansion of energy and action you can take in your life.

Start today.