Book Review: “Living Forward” by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy

In a world where many of us find ourselves caught in the current of daily responsibilities, “Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want” emerges as a powerful compass for intentional living.

Published in 2016, this collaboration between Michael Hyatt, former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, and Daniel Harkavy, executive coach and founder of Building Champions, presents a practical framework for designing a life that matters. The book’s core premise is that creating a “Life Plan” isn’t just for corporations – it’s an essential tool for anyone who wants to move from merely drifting through life to actively steering toward their desired destination.

Core Concepts

The foundation of “Living Forward” rests on three fundamental principles that shape the entire life-planning process:

1. The Drift: Understanding how we unconsciously move away from what matters most
2. Life Planning: Creating a proactive strategy to counter the drift
3. Regular Review: Maintaining momentum through consistent evaluation and adjustment

The authors present their methodology through the “Life Planning” framework, which helps readers:

• Identify their life accounts (areas of life that require investment)
• Create a written Life Plan
• Schedule regular quarterly and annual reviews
• Implement daily and weekly actions aligned with their plan

Chapter-by-Chapter Review

The Power of the Life Plan

Hyatt and Harkavy introduce the idea of “drift”—the tendency to move through life without deliberately deciding where you want to go. They explain why traditional goal-setting often falls short and introduce Life Planning as a broader approach that considers the major areas of life together rather than treating goals in isolation.

Creating Your Life Plan

The authors guide readers through identifying the key areas of their lives, or “Life Accounts,” and assessing where things currently stand. They encourage readers to think about the legacy they want to leave and create a clear vision for what success would look like across areas such as health, relationships, work, and finances.

Building Your Plan

With a clearer vision in place, the book moves into turning that vision into specific priorities and objectives. Hyatt and Harkavy emphasise making the plan concrete enough to guide decisions while keeping it connected to the larger life you want to create.

Implementing Your Plan

The focus shifts from planning to execution. The authors explain how to translate priorities into daily and weekly actions, use the calendar intentionally, and create accountability so that important goals do not get pushed aside by everyday demands.

Keeping Your Plan Alive

Life planning is presented as an ongoing process rather than a document that is completed once. Regular reviews allow the plan to adapt as circumstances, priorities, and ambitions change while keeping the larger direction intact.

Key Strengths

• Practical and actionable methodology that can be implemented immediately
• Clear, step-by-step instructions for creating a Life Plan
• Compelling blend of personal stories and professional expertise
• Excellent balance of high-level vision and practical detail
• Strong emphasis on holistic life balance

Potential Drawbacks

• Some readers might find the structured approach too rigid
• The time investment required for the initial planning process is significant
• The quarterly review schedule may be challenging for some to maintain

Who This Book Is For

“Living Forward” is particularly valuable for:

1. Professionals feeling stuck in their current life trajectory
2. Leaders seeking to balance multiple life priorities effectively
3. Individuals at major life transition points
4. Anyone feeling overwhelmed by life’s competing demands

Alternative Books

If you enjoy “Living Forward,” consider these related books: