Why You Need A Roadmap For Life's Changes
- Brainz Magazine
- May 26
- 4 min read
Written by Monique Farmer, Founder
Monique Farmer, APR, is the founder of Avant Solutions, a PR and communication consultancy that helps nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and small businesses elevate their messaging and build stronger connections with their audiences.
Here’s the truth: life changes are inevitable, career shifts, breakups, burnout, big dreams that wake us up at 2 a.m. What’s optional is whether you’re prepared for those moments.
A roadmap gives you direction when life throws detours. It helps you pivot without spinning out. A 2022 study from the American Psychological Association found that 67% of adults who set specific, structured goals felt more confident in handling change, compared to just 31% of those who didn’t.
So yeah, your brain loves a plan. Let’s give it one.
Why a roadmap matters when life is changing
A roadmap won’t fix everything overnight. But it will do something incredibly important: it gives you direction. It’s the tool that helps you answer the question, “Where do I go from here?”
Think of your life like a cross-country road trip. Would you just hop in the car and drive with no map, destination, or playlist? Of course not. You’d at least have a vague idea of where you’re going and how to get there.
Your life deserves that same thoughtfulness.
What is a life roadmap?
At its core, a life roadmap is a written or visual guide that outlines where you are, where you want to be, and how you will get there. It’s not just a vision board or a list of goals, it’s a framework rooted in your values and purpose.
It might include:
Long-term goals
Daily routines and habits
Emotional checkpoints
Personal boundaries
A support system
And maybe most importantly, it includes grace room for detours, pauses and recalculations. Because change rarely unfolds in a straight line.
Why every success story starts with a map
Let’s look at the science. The "Goal Gradient Hypothesis" tells us that we’re more motivated when we can see how close we are to the finish line. This is why loyalty cards work and why countdowns feel exciting.
A roadmap makes your progress visible. It keeps you from getting discouraged when you're knee-deep in the “messy middle.”
It also helps you focus on your version of success. Not the one your friends are chasing. Not the one society says you should want. Yours.
How to make a plan to change your life
If change feels too big or too scary, try breaking it into these five steps:
Define your vision. Close your eyes. Imagine your happiest self five years from now. What does she do? Who is she surrounded by? What matters most?
Identify what’s not working. What feels heavy? What drains your energy or makes you feel stuck?
Set SMART goals. Specific. Measurable. Achievable. Relevant. Time-bound. Dream big, but make it tangible.
Build a structure around your dreams. Routines, time blocks, morning rituals—create systems that support your new direction.
Find your people. Change is hard. Having mentors, accountability buddies, or a supportive therapist makes all the difference.
How to actually build your roadmap
Now, this is the fun part. Once you’ve got your vision, you can begin building your map.
You can sketch it in a journal, map it on a whiteboard, or create a digital version using apps like Notion or Trello.
Start with:
Your “why”
Your 12-month goals
Monthly mile markers
Weekly intentions
Daily non-negotiables
Don’t be afraid to get creative. Add color. Use photos. Include quotes that inspire you. This is your journey, make it feel like you.
Is a roadmap just another buzzword for strategy?
Not exactly. It’s more personal than that. But make no mistake, it is a strategy. It’s a living, breathing plan for your life. And just as a business would never launch a new product without a go-to-market strategy, you shouldn’t walk into major life transitions without a plan.
Harvard Business Review says strategy is "choosing what not to do." A roadmap helps you confidently say no, so you can say yes to what matters most.
The first step to changing your life? Look inward
Here’s the part no one wants to hear: The first step is not in a self-help book or a podcast. It’s in you. It’s getting honest about what’s working, what’s not and what you truly want.
Start small. One habit. One conversation. One brave yes.
How to change without burning out
Big, sweeping change sounds exciting, but the truth is, the most lasting change happens through tiny, consistent steps. The University of Minnesota found that habit stacking (adding one small habit to something you already do) is one of the most effective ways to build long-term change.
So don’t throw your life out the window and start from scratch. Build better habits on top of what’s already working.
Becoming a new version of you
Transformation isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about becoming more you. The bold, confident, untamed version that’s been buried under “shoulds” and “not-yets.”
It starts with reflection. Then intention. Then aligned action.
And remember: you don’t need permission to change. You just need the courage to begin.
How to start over and be better than ever
Maybe you’ve made mistakes. Maybe life didn’t go the way you thought it would. That’s okay.
Starting over is not failure. It’s a comeback.
Let go of who you were supposed to be. Embrace who you’re becoming. The American Psychological Association reminds us that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about bouncing forward.
Final thoughts: Build the map. Follow the path. Watch your life change
If you’ve been feeling lost, stuck, or just a little off-course, let this be your sign to pull over, re-center and chart a new direction.
You’re not too old. It’s not too late. You haven’t missed your chance.
Start today. Start small. Start scared. Just start.
Your roadmap is waiting.
Read more from Monique Farmer
Monique Farmer, Founder
Monique's firm specializes in developing tailored communication strategies that help clients share their stories, enhance their reputations, and make a lasting impact.
She is also the creator of Anvil Ready, an online tool that streamlines the process of building effective communication plans, designed specifically for communication professionals who need clear, actionable strategies.
With extensive experience as a former Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as the former director of communications for Nebraska’s largest school district and in corporate communications for ConAgra Foods, Monique and her team understand the complexities organizations face when managing their reputations.
