Learn the five questions and a practical guide that will help you design an authentic life plan, strengthen your mental health, and make conscious decisions, according to a psychologist.
A life plan is not just a set of goals; it is a guide for your emotions, decisions, and relationships. Psychologist Georgina Echandi, from the Metropolitan Hospital, shares five key questions to help you understand your emotions, motivations, and purpose, thereby strengthening your mental health and living with greater balance and resilience.
1. Knowing yourself is the first step in designing an authentic life plan.
2. Resilience helps you adapt to change without losing direction or purpose.
3. Balancing your personal, professional, and family life strengthens your mental health and relationships.
Five questions to start designing your life plan
• How do I manage my emotions and what makes me feel good?
• What motivates me on a daily basis?
• What legacy do I want to leave in my life and in others?
• What role will my professional life play in my purpose?
• What kind of family or lifestyle do I want to cultivate?
Taking the time to answer these questions allows you to live with intention, clarity, and emotional well-being.
Also, keep the following practical guide in mind.
1. Self-knowledge: the first step toward a life plan
• According to Echandi, knowing yourself is the foundation of any life plan. It involves identifying emotions, triggers, and “invisible buttons” that affect our reactions.
• Recognizing what brings us well-being and what destabilizes us allows us to better manage emotional distress and make more conscious decisions.
“Having a life plan starts with self-knowledge, something that many people lack, regardless of their age,” says the psychologist.
2. Discover what really makes you feel good
• The first practical step is to ask yourself: what activities truly fulfill me?
• Activities such as gardening, crafts, or creative hobbies help you reconnect with yourself and maintain emotional stability.
3. Define an authentic life plan
• Self-knowledge also allows you to differentiate between what you want and what others expect.
• Echanzi suggests reflecting on your personal values and the “fruits” you want to offer.
“Ask yourself what you want people to say about you when you’re gone. That phrase can become your compass in life,” she advises.
4. Balance between personal, professional, and family life
• A comprehensive life plan considers all dimensions: personal, professional, and family.
• The psychology specialist recommends intentionally planning how you want to build family bonds, habits, and traditions.
• Designing the type of family and dynamics you want to cultivate allows you to create healthier environments and strengthen communication and trust.
“Relationships and habits do not happen by chance; they are built on intention,” says the specialist.
5. Resilience: learning to adapt
• Not all plans turn out as expected. That is why a life plan must be flexible and allow for adjustments without losing direction or purpose.
• Learning to adapt to change and difficulties is key to maintaining emotional stability and continuing to grow.
“Relationships and habits do not happen by chance; they are built on intention,” says the specialist.
“Plan A doesn’t always work out, but there are many letters in the alphabet. The important thing is to learn, readjust, and move forward,” says Echandi.
6. Life plan and romantic relationships
• If starting a family is part of your life plan, Echandi suggests understanding your own and your partner’s attachment style, as well as each other’s love language.
• Knowing how you express and receive love—words, physical contact, quality time, or acts of service—strengthens the relationship and helps build healthier bonds.
“A person with anxious attachment is not the same as one with avoidant attachment. Knowing these differences improves communication and reduces conflict,” she explains.
