This (tentative) life plan was last updated on 18 January 2012. It was a significant overhaul; it went from being a ten-year plan to a two-year plan. This plan will change over time. I welcome all comments and suggestions.
Current Bests
- Completed the 35th Lake Kawaguchi Marathon (with a time of 5:31).
- Completed a half marathon (with a time of 2:20).
Q1.2012
- Complete the 6th Tokyo Marathon.
- Cease carrying a balance on the credit card.
- Write and publish an academic article on motivation.
- Post to each blog weekly.
- Find a new workplace.
Q2.2012
- Begin working as a teacher at a place of higher education.
- Write and publish another academic article.
- Begin studying Japanese seriously.
- Begin preparing for the MD/PhD.
Q3.2012
- Write and publish a third academic article.
- Complete a 100k ultra marathon (sanctioned or otherwise).
- Buy a bicycle and take a trip to Hokkaido during summer vacation.
Q4.2012
- Write and publish a fourth academic article.
- Write and publish a textbook on technology and SLA.
- Climb Mount Kilimanjaro during the winter vacation (5895 meters).
- Have an amazing 28th birthday party.
Q1.2013
- Continue publishing academic articles quarterly.
- Deliver a talk at an international academic conference.
- Apply for entry into the Fuji mountain race.
Q2.2013
- Take the MCAT to gauge progress.
Q3.2013
- Design and launch a website for my upcoming sabbatical.
- Take a bicycle trip to Kagoshima during summer vacation.
- Complete the Fuji Mountain Race with a respectable time.
Q4.2013
- Write and publish a near-future science fiction novel.
- Climb Aconcagua during the winter vacation (6962 meters).
- Have run at least fifty marathons throughout the year.
- Have a legendary 29th birthday party.
2014
- Get a perfect score on the MCAT.
- Complete the Spartathalon, a 246k ultra marathon from Athens to Sparta.
2015
- Apply for an MD/PhD program.
- Climb Mount Everest while traveling in Nepal or Tibet (8848 meters).
2016
- Matriculate into an MD/PhD program.
- Begin the first two years of the MD program.
2018
- Begin the cognitive science PhD portion of the program.
2022
- Complete the cognitive science PhD portion of the program.
- Continue the MD portion of the program.
2024
- Graduate with an MD and PhD.
- Pursue a career in neurology or cognitive science research.
Beyond
- See the rest of the world, every territory of every country.
Very cool, Enzo! The interesting thing about your Sunrise adventure will be that new media changes so much, so quickly that your entrepreneurial endeavours will surely be tweaked, if not completely focused on a yet-unknown medium. 忙しい indeed… ¡Buenas suerte!
Oh wow, it is an amazing life plan
You plan to study so many different languages and travel to so many places! Of course, some goals sound a little too ambitious, but, as they say, “If you don’t aspire to great things, you won’t attain small things.” Good luck! 
why do the professional goals stop after 2012? IMO, you’ll be lucky to be a lecturer, much less a full professor. That takes years of teaching and real contacts in the upper levels of your chosen uni. also, another book in 2013/2014 would be appropriate, i think.
overall, very ambitious yet possible. what about interpersonal stuff?
Well, I’m sure really sure which professional goals I should pursue after 2012. Frankly, I’ll be happy with a lecturer position, and there wasn’t really a distinction in my mind, because I’m not looking for lifetime employment as an English teacher. That’s not to look down on English professors, but my heart lies elsewhere. Perhaps, I should look into editing a professional journal and bridging the gap between linguistics and neuroscience. Another book would be good, but on what subject?
Interpersonal things are also very important. Ideally, I would like to be married or in a relationship that is heading in that direction before my trip to Portugal. I think I’d like to go with another couple, or perhaps a small group of people… but it will take a lot of work to find people actually willing (and able) to undertake such a trip. Most people would rather put the money toward a house or kids or retirement. It would also be nice to have a regular group of friends again, but I am unsure whether or not that is possible as an adult… not really something that should be planned, and I don’t want to make it something arbitrary, like 500 Facebook friends. Any ideas?
why does it require my email if it doesn’t email me replies? sheesh.
anyway, I was just making sure you’ve got your head screwed on right about the interpersonal stuff. it’s tempting to try to plan that just like any other area of life, but because it requires very much on meeting the right people and it requires people other than yourself, it is naturally unplannable (more or less). you’ve got the right of it.
as for professional stuff, I was just wondering what was next in that department after working at a uni. I would think that the possibilities for opening up your career should really take off after that. Being in that environment, and having the income that allows you to have some free time, should open you up more. Use the time to start a business, take classes on a subject, or w/e. get into cross-disciplinary research, etc. aside from violins and martial arts, I think a plan to continue your career is also a worthwhile goal.
Professionally, I want to shift from language teaching at a university to being a full-time researcher (or teaching at a university that provides significant grants for research). Considering I plan to take 2014 through ~2018 off from “traditional” work… and working in social media/volunteering, it may be a good idea do some preliminary work in those areas.
It would also be a good idea to perhaps start a business, or take classes… but in what?
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