At the Academy of Life Planning, we have designed the GAME Plan to guide you through a holistic financial planning process. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about creating a life of balance, purpose, and fulfilment. This process aligns with the natural flow of life itself, mirroring the wisdom found in ancient traditions like Buddhism’s Eightfold Noble Path.
Buddhism’s Eightfold Path is a guide to self-realisation, designed to help individuals navigate life with wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline. Similarly, the GAME Plan is structured around an eight-stage journey from creation to manifestation, guiding you through the interconnected aspects of your financial and personal life. Just as the Eightfold Path encourages clarity and purpose in life, the GAME Plan encourages clarity and purpose in your finances and life decisions.
Let’s explore how the eight stages of our GAME Plan correspond to the Eightfold Noble Path, as we embark on a journey of self-discovery. We’ll focus on the why, the how, and the what, leading you towards a life that is enriched both financially and spiritually.
The North: Spirit (Creation & Kindness) – Right View (Wisdom)
In the GAME Plan, the journey begins in the North, representing Spirit—a place of creation and kindness. This is where you connect to your values, aligning your actions with those values. Similarly, in Buddhism, the path begins with Right View, which answers the question, “Who am I?” Understanding the true nature of your existence is essential to creating a life of balance and meaning.
Your journey starts with awareness and universal wisdom. What are your values? The answers to these questions form the foundation for your financial and personal decisions.
The North-East: Personal Love – Right Intention (Will)
The North-East is where you connect to your deeper purpose, aligning your direction with your talents. Our talents are universally given, and our purpose is to use them to serve others. Similarly, in Buddhism, Right Intention is about our path of helping others. It answers the question, “Why am I here?” Understanding our talents and setting the right intentions is essential to creating a life of balance and meaning.
This path begins with self-awareness and universal will. Why are you on this journey? The answers to this question face you in the right direction for life’s journey.
The East: Heart (Emotions) – Right Speech (Ethics)
The East in our GAME Plan is the direction of the Heart, representing your relationships and communication. This aligns with Right Speech in the Noble Path, which teaches us to communicate with compassion and integrity.
Whether personal or professional, your relationships are at the heart of your financial plan. Honest, open communication is key to success, both in life and in financial matters.
The South-East: Teacher – Right Action (Ethics)
The South-East in the GAME Plan signifies the Teacher, representing learning from experience and passing on wisdom. This correlates with Right Action in Buddhism, which encourages acting in ways that align with ethical conduct.
At this stage, you ask yourself: How can my actions reflect my intentions? Both paths focus on ethical behaviour that supports not just your well-being, but the well-being of those around you.
The South: Body (Transition, Place) – Right Livelihood (Ethics)
In the South, we reach the stage of Transition and Place, representing the Body—a place of grounding. It aligns with Right Livelihood, which teaches us to choose work that is not harmful to others or the planet.
Here, you reflect on whether your work and financial choices contribute to a greater good. How do your financial choices impact your life and the world around you?
The South-West: Analytics – Right Effort (Samādhi)
The South-West is the Analytics phase, where you critically evaluate progress. This corresponds to Right Effort in the Noble Path, which encourages perseverance, productivity, and dedication to personal growth.
At this stage, you transition from intention to action, ensuring that your efforts are consistent and aligned with your goals. What will you do to stay on course? This is the “analysis” phase of both journeys.
The West: Mind (Leadership) – Right Concentration (Samādhi)
In the West, we encounter the Mind, representing Leadership. This is the stage of focus and clarity, akin to Right Concentration in the Noble Path. Leadership here involves having the discipline to stay committed to your financial goals.
You must focus on what needs to be done to bring your plans to fruition. How can you remain disciplined and avoid distractions? Both paths encourage mental clarity and focus to achieve success.
The North-West: Work (Manifestation) – Right Mindfulness (Samādhi)
Finally, the North-West represents Work and Manifestation. It’s the culmination of all your efforts, bringing your vision to life. In the Noble Path, Right Mindfulness here signifies the alignment of your actions with your ethical and spiritual goals.
At this stage, you ask yourself: Am I present in my financial decisions? Mindfulness allows you to make informed, thoughtful choices based on clarity and awareness. This is the point where everything comes together—manifesting not only your financial goals, but a life rich in purpose, kindness, and wisdom.
Embracing the Journey
Both the GAME Plan and the Eightfold Noble Path guide you through a transformative journey. It’s not just about achieving financial security; it’s about creating a life of balance, fulfilment, and ethical responsibility. Through this process, you discover why you are on this journey, how to navigate it, and what actions to take to bring your vision to life.
The path to financial freedom is a personal journey, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re beginning with creation, focusing on mindfulness, or manifesting your goals, the GAME Plan will help you achieve a life that is abundant not just in wealth, but in purpose and meaning.
Take the first step towards financial freedom today. Explore the GAME Plan and see how this ancient cycle of creation and manifestation can help you transform your life. The journey begins with you—where will it lead?
Understanding Samādhi: Focus and Clarity for Your Journey
In the context of Buddhism, Samādhi refers to a state of deep concentration and mental clarity. It is one of the core elements of the Eightfold Noble Path, guiding individuals towards mindfulness and focused awareness. But it’s not something mystical or out of reach; it’s a skill that anyone can cultivate to bring more focus, peace, and intention into their life.
Let’s break it down.
Samādhi is often described as the practice of focusing the mind on a single point, allowing distractions to fade away. Think of it as a mental exercise that helps you align your thoughts, actions, and intentions, bringing everything into clear focus. In practical terms, Samādhi is about developing the ability to be fully present, to give your full attention to whatever you’re doing—whether it’s managing your finances, nurturing relationships, or making important life decisions.
When you’re in a state of Samādhi, you’re no longer scattered by endless thoughts or overwhelmed by distractions. Instead, you feel centred, calm, and in control, which can be incredibly powerful in all areas of life, including your financial planning.
How Does Samādhi Relate to Your Financial Journey?
In our GAME Plan, Samādhi is reflected in stages like Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. These stages encourage you to bring focused attention and clarity to your financial decisions. Rather than making rushed or reactive choices, you approach your finances with a clear, focused mind. This leads to better decisions that align with your long-term goals.
For instance, when you focus on Right Effort, you are aware of where you’re putting your energy. You make a conscious effort to prioritise tasks and strategies that will genuinely move you towards financial security and fulfilment. With Right Concentration, you stay focused on those priorities without getting sidetracked by short-term distractions or emotional decisions.
The Benefits of Samādhi for Your Financial Planning
- Clarity: By training your mind to focus, you gain clarity in your decision-making process. This is invaluable when it comes to managing your finances, where clear thinking is essential.
- Reduced Stress: When you’re able to concentrate and remain present, the stress and anxiety associated with financial uncertainty or future worries tend to lessen. You can calmly assess situations and respond with thoughtfulness.
- Better Outcomes: Samādhi helps you stay committed to your long-term goals, even when short-term temptations or distractions arise. Whether it’s staying on budget or following through with a savings plan, your focused mind will keep you on track.
- Informed Choices: Mindfulness in your financial planning helps you evaluate all the options available to you, ensuring your choices are aligned with your deeper values and purpose.
How Can You Cultivate Samādhi?
Cultivating Samādhi doesn’t require long hours of meditation or drastic changes. It begins with small, mindful practices. Here are a few ways you can start:
- Practice being present: When you work on your financial plan, set aside distractions. Commit to being fully present in the moment, paying attention to the task at hand.
- Mindful decision-making: Before making financial decisions, take a moment to pause, breathe, and consider your options with a calm, focused mind.
- Set clear intentions: Whether it’s a budget, an investment, or a savings goal, set clear intentions for what you want to achieve. Focus your energy on those goals, and return to them whenever you feel distracted.
Embrace Samādhi in Your Financial Life
At the Academy of Life Planning, we encourage you to bring Samādhi into your financial journey. The more you practice focus and mindfulness, the clearer and more intentional your financial decisions will become. This isn’t just about achieving wealth; it’s about achieving peace of mind and living a life that reflects your values and goals.
Remember, Samādhi is about progress, not perfection. It’s a journey of building awareness, focus, and clarity—one step at a time. And we’re here to guide you on that journey, ensuring your financial plans align with the life you truly want to live.
Ready to take the next step? Explore how our GAME Plan can help you cultivate focus, clarity, and purpose in your financial life. Together, we’ll help you achieve a life that’s not only abundant in wealth, but also rich in meaning.
A Contemplative Pathway: Aligning Your Journey with the Eightfold Path
Welcome to a reflective journey where mindful living meets financial clarity. Here, we’ll explore how the principles of Buddhism’s Eightfold Path can inspire and support you on your personal and financial journey. Along the way, we’ll offer meditations for each step, gently encouraging mindfulness, balance, and purposeful action in all areas of life.
1. Right Understanding: Gaining Clarity
Take a moment to reflect on what truly matters to you. Right Understanding is about seeing life clearly—acknowledging both its challenges and its beauty. In this meditation, ask yourself:
- What are my core values?
- How do I define true fulfilment—financially, emotionally, and spiritually?
This is where the AoLP’s services come in. With tools like the HapNav Cash Flow Modelling Tool and the Be Your Own Financial Planner Google Sheet, we help you see your financial landscape clearly, ensuring every decision aligns with your values.
Meditation: “I welcome clarity and insight into my life. I choose to see my financial path as part of a broader journey towards well-being.”
2. Right Intention: Setting Purposeful Goals
Once we have clarity, the next step is to align our intentions with our true values. Ask yourself:
- What financial goals will support my deeper sense of purpose?
- How can I set intentions that reflect not just material wealth, but a life of meaning?
At the Academy, we believe in purpose-driven planning. Whether through our MoneyFitt Personal Finance Courses or expert Q&A support, we help you align your goals with the life you truly want to live.
Meditation: “I set my intentions with purpose and heart. My goals reflect what is meaningful to me, beyond just numbers.”
3. Right Speech: Speaking Your Truth
The words we choose shape our reality. In financial matters, it’s essential to be honest with yourself and those around you. Reflect on:
- Am I communicating my financial needs and concerns clearly?
- How can I speak about money in a way that brings peace and understanding?
Our Academy is built on transparency. We offer a safe space through forums, peer groups, and regular updates where you can speak openly and find support without judgment.
Meditation: “I communicate with honesty and integrity. I speak my truth with kindness and clarity.”
4. Right Action: Taking Inspired Steps
Action is where intentions meet reality. It’s about making conscious choices that reflect our values. Consider:
- Are my financial actions aligned with the future I envision?
- How can I make daily decisions that support my financial and personal well-being?
Our Planning My Life membership empowers you to take proactive steps, offering you practical tools like business planning templates and ongoing support to help you move confidently in the direction of your dreams.
Meditation: “Every action I take leads me closer to the life I desire. I act with purpose and confidence.”
5. Right Livelihood: Finding Meaningful Work
Right Livelihood is about doing work that nourishes your spirit while also providing for your needs. Reflect on:
- Does my work align with my values and aspirations?
- How can I create a livelihood that’s both sustainable and meaningful?
Through AoLP’s business planning support and our commitment to sustainable livelihoods, we help you build or transition to a career that feels true to who you are.
Meditation: “I seek work that fulfils me. My livelihood is a reflection of my values and purpose.”
6. Right Effort: Balancing Energy
Effort doesn’t mean overexertion; it’s about wisely using your energy to focus on what’s most important. Reflect on:
- Am I putting my energy into things that matter most to me?
- How can I balance financial effort with personal well-being?
Our tools, like HapNav and regular webinars, help you direct your energy towards the right financial choices, without burnout or overwhelm. We provide the support you need to maintain momentum.
Meditation: “I direct my energy with care and balance. I focus on what truly matters to me.”
7. Right Mindfulness: Staying Present
Mindfulness invites us to be fully present, aware of each moment as it comes. In this space, consider:
- Am I making financial decisions with awareness or on autopilot?
- How can I stay mindful of my goals, while also enjoying the present?
At the Academy, we encourage a mindful approach to both life and money, through continuous learning and community support. With resources like the Academy Webinar VOD Channel, we guide you to stay grounded in the moment while planning for the future.
Meditation: “I embrace mindfulness in every financial decision. I stay present, knowing each moment shapes my future.”
8. Right Concentration: Focusing on What Matters
Right Concentration is about focusing your mind on what’s truly important, removing distractions that lead us astray. Reflect on:
- Am I focused on my financial priorities, or am I scattered?
- How can I concentrate my efforts on creating a life of fulfilment?
With the Academy of Life Planning, we help you stay focused through regular updates, expert advice, and tailored support, ensuring your financial journey is both clear and aligned with your life’s purpose.
Meditation: “I concentrate on what matters most. My focus is clear, my path is steady.”
A Journey of Mindfulness and Empowerment
As you walk this contemplative pathway, you’re not just improving your financial life; you’re aligning it with a deeper sense of purpose, mindfulness, and fulfilment. At every step, the Academy of Life Planning is here to support you with accessible, transparent, and transformative services that help you create a balanced and meaningful life.
You are not alone on this journey. Together, we’ll build a life where financial security meets emotional and spiritual well-being. Let’s take the next step forward—mindfully, purposefully, and with confidence.
Academy of Life Planning 