Picture yourself always being three moves ahead—calm, in control, and winning while everyone else scrambles to catch up. That’s not a fantasy; it’s a skill you can build right now.
Thinking three steps ahead means you predict problems, spot opportunities, and control the game before others even know it’s started. It’s how the best strategists win, and I’m going to show you how to do it with 4 clear, actionable steps you can start today.
Get ready to outsmart your challenges and pull ahead of the pack—let’s dive in.
Why Thinking Ahead Gives You Power
Most people stumble through life reacting to what’s in front of them—panicking, guessing, or letting emotions take over.
That’s why they stay stuck. But thinking three steps ahead puts you in the driver’s seat. It’s like playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers—you see the whole board, not just the next jump.
You’ll solve problems before they hit, grab opportunities others miss, and come out on top, whether it’s in your career, relationships, or personal goals. Want that power? Here’s how to make it yours with steps you can act on right now.
Step 1: Define Your Endgame With a Deadline
You can’t plan ahead if you don’t know where you’re going.
Pick one goal—your endgame—and give it a deadline to make it real. Be specific. Want to get fit? Your endgame might be “Lose 15 pounds by July 1st.” Want to grow your business? Maybe it’s “Hit $2,000 in monthly sales by June.”
Grab a notebook or your phone and write it down: “My endgame is [goal] by [date].”
For example, “My endgame is to lose 15 pounds by July 1st.” This isn’t just a dream—it’s your target.
Doing this locks in your focus and gives you a finish line to plan toward. Do it now—don’t wait.
Step 2: Break It Into 3 Actionable Milestones
Now, work backward from your endgame and break it into 3 clear milestones—think of them as checkpoints you can hit. Each one should be a specific action you can do.
Let’s say your endgame is “Lose 15 pounds by July 1st.” If today’s May 12th, you’ve got about 7 weeks.
- Milestone 3 (end of June) is “Lose the last 5 pounds by sticking to my plan.”
- Milestone 2 (mid-June) is “Lose 5 more pounds by cutting sugar and walking 30 minutes daily.”
- Milestone 1 (end of May) is “Lose 5 pounds by meal-prepping 5 healthy dinners a week.”
Write these down in your notebook:
Milestone 1: [action by date]
Milestone 2: [action by date]
Milestone 3: [action by date]
For example, “Milestone 1: Meal-prep 5 dinners a week by May 31st.” These aren’t vague hopes—they’re moves you can make. Start on Milestone 1 today.
Step 3: Spot Roadblocks and Plan One Fix for Each
Things will go wrong—that’s life. But you can stay ahead by spotting roadblocks now and planning fixes for each milestone. Look at your 3 milestones and ask, “What could stop me here?” Then write down one fix for each.
For Milestone 1 (meal-prepping 5 dinners), maybe you’re too busy to cook.
Fix: Pick simple recipes that take 20 minutes or less—like grilled chicken and veggies—and do it on Sunday night.
For Milestone 2 (cutting sugar and walking), maybe you crave sweets.
Fix: Keep fruit handy to swap for candy, and set a 6 PM alarm to remind you to walk.
For Milestone 3 (sticking to the plan), maybe you plateau.
Fix: Add a 10-minute HIIT workout twice a week to push past it.
Write these fixes next to each milestone: “Roadblock: [problem], Fix: [solution].” For example, “Roadblock: Too busy to cook, Fix: Pick 20-minute recipes and cook Sunday.” Do this now—it’ll save you when things get messy.
Step 4: Track Others and Adjust Your Moves
You’re not in this alone—others are playing the game too. Watch the people around you (colleagues, friends, competitors) and adjust your moves to stay ahead. Notice what they’re doing, and think one step beyond that.
Trying to lose weight? If your friends are skipping workouts, you can pull ahead by sticking to yours. Want to grow your business? If your competitors are all posting on Instagram, you can stand out by emailing 5 potential clients directly.
Every week, take 5 minutes to ask: “What are others doing, and how can I do better?” Write down one adjustment to your plan. For example, “Friends are skipping workouts—I’ll add a 15-minute stretch to mine.” This keeps you ahead of the curve, every time.
How It Worked for Someone Like You
Let me tell you about Adam, a guy who used this exact method to land a promotion. His endgame was “Get promoted to team lead by the end of the year.” He broke it into 3 milestones:
- Milestone 1 was “Lead a small project by March” (he volunteered that week).
- Milestone 2 was “Get noticed by my boss by June” (he shared weekly updates on his wins).
- Milestone 3 was “Apply for the role by September” (he prepped answers for the interview).
He spotted roadblocks: for Milestone 1, he might mess up the project, so he asked a mentor for feedback early. For Milestone 2, his boss might ignore him, so he scheduled a 1:1 meeting. For Milestone 3, he might get nervous, so he practiced with a friend. He also watched others—his coworkers were quiet, so he spoke up in meetings to stand out.
Adam got the promotion in August—faster than he planned—because he was always three steps ahead. You can do this too.
Take Control—Start Now
You’ve got everything you need to think three steps ahead:
A clear endgame, 3 actionable milestones, fixes for roadblocks, and a way to outpace others. This isn’t just a strategy—it’s your ticket to control.
Grab your notebook or phone and do Step 1 right now: write your endgame with a deadline. Then map your milestones, spot your roadblocks, and plan your fixes. You’ll feel the shift immediately—knowing you’re not just reacting, you’re running the show.
Life’s a game, and you’re here to win. Start thinking three steps ahead today, and watch how fast you leave everyone else behind.
