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Telos Template - Quick Start Guide

This template follows the structured approach for creating your Telos File. Use this as a starting point and fill in your personal details.

Quick Start Instructions​

  1. Copy this template to create your personal Telos file
  2. Use AI to help fill it in (see AI prompts below)
  3. Be brutally honest - this is for you, not others
  4. Update regularly - it's a living document

My Telos File

Created: [Date] Last Updated: [Date]

Problems​

Personal Problems​

  • [What frustrates you personally? Be specific]
  • [What daily challenges do you face?]
  • [What feels broken or unfair in your life?]

Scaled Problems​

  • [How do your personal problems affect others?]
  • [What bigger systemic issues do you see?]
  • [What problems in the world do you want to solve?]

Missions​

  • [Use this formula: "I think one of the biggest problems in the world is [Problem], which is why I'm [Mission]"]
  • [What will you DO about the problems you identified?]
  • [What is your commitment to action?]

Narratives​

8-Second Version​

[One sentence about who you are and what you're about]

15-Second Version​

[2-3 sentences that connect your past, problem, and mission]

30-Second Version​

[A short paragraph telling your complete story]

Goals​

Short-term (Next 3 months)​

  • [Specific, measurable goal 1]
  • [Specific, measurable goal 2]
  • [Specific, measurable goal 3]

Medium-term (6-12 months)​

  • [Specific, measurable goal 1]
  • [Specific, measurable goal 2]
  • [Specific, measurable goal 3]

Long-term (1+ years)​

  • [Specific, measurable goal 1]
  • [Specific, measurable goal 2]

History​

[Key life events that shaped you. This reflection reveals patterns.]

  • [Important event 1 and how it affected you]
  • [Important event 2 and what you learned]
  • [Important event 3 and why it matters]

Challenges​

[Current obstacles. Brutal honesty here is key.]

  • [Challenge 1 - be specific about what makes it hard]
  • [Challenge 2 - include both internal and external factors]
  • [Challenge 3 - consider resources, knowledge, or support gaps]

Insecurities​

[What holds you back. Naming them reduces their power.]

  • [Insecurity 1 - what fear or doubt plagues you?]
  • [Insecurity 2 - what aspect of yourself do you hide?]
  • [Insecurity 3 - what judgment do you fear from others?]

Strategies​

[How you'll overcome challenges. Be specific and actionable.]

  • [Strategy 1 for overcoming challenge 1]
  • [Strategy 2 for overcoming challenge 2]
  • [Strategy 3 for overcoming challenge 3]

Journal​

[Add timestamped entries regularly. This creates a data trail for pattern analysis.]

  • [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM AM/PM]: [Your thought, feeling, or observation]
  • [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM AM/PM]: [What happened today and how it relates to your mission]
  • [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM AM/PM]: [Insights, breakthroughs, or struggles]

AI Prompts to Help Fill This Template​

For the fastest way to create your first Telos File, use the Telos Rapid Build Prompt. This proven method guides you through creating a complete Telos File in 7-10 minutes with specific coaching questions and outputs a ready-to-use formatted file.

Why use the Rapid Build method:

  • Creates your complete Telos File in 7-10 minutes
  • Uses proven coaching questions that elicit honest responses
  • Outputs a perfectly formatted file you can use immediately
  • Ideal for your first Telos File or when you need a quick refresh

Alternative AI Prompts​

If you prefer a more conversational approach, use these additional prompts:

Prompt 1: Initial Telos Generation​

I need help creating my personal Telos file. Here's my current situation:

[Describe your current situation - job, age, family, challenges, goals]

Please help me fill out each section of this Telos template:
1. Problems - both personal and scaled
2. Missions - what I'll do about those problems  
3. Narratives - my story in different lengths
4. Goals - short, medium, and long-term
5. History - key life events
6. Challenges - current obstacles
7. Insecurities - what holds me back
8. Strategies - how I'll overcome challenges

Be specific, actionable, and help me be brutally honest with myself.

Prompt 2: Problems and Missions​

Help me identify my problems and missions. Here's my context:

[Your current situation]

Ask me probing questions to help me discover:
1. What really frustrates me about my current situation?
2. What problems do I see that others might not notice?
3. What bigger issues do these personal problems connect to?
4. What am I uniquely positioned to solve?
5. What would I do if money wasn't a concern?

Then help me craft missions using the formula: "I think one of the biggest problems in the world is [Problem], which is why I'm [Mission]"

Prompt 3: Narrative Creation​

Help me create my personal narrative. Here are my key details:

[Your background, problems, and missions]

Help me write:
1. An 8-second version (one sentence)
2. A 15-second version (2-3 sentences) 
3. A 30-second version (short paragraph)

The narrative should connect my past experiences to my current problems and future missions. Make it compelling and authentic.

Prompt 4: Goal Setting​

Help me set meaningful goals based on my Telos. Here's what I have so far:

[Your problems, missions, and current situation]

Help me create:
1. 3 short-term goals (next 3 months) - specific and measurable
2. 2 medium-term goals (6-12 months) - realistic but challenging
3. 1-2 long-term goals (1+ years) - ambitious but achievable

For each goal, include:
- Specific outcome
- Measurement criteria
- Timeline
- Why it matters to my mission

Prompt 5: Challenges and Strategies​

Help me identify my challenges and create strategies to overcome them. My context:

[Your current situation, goals, and missions]

Help me:
1. Identify my biggest obstacles (internal and external)
2. Name my deepest insecurities that hold me back
3. Create specific, actionable strategies for each challenge
4. Be brutally honest about what's really stopping me

Focus on practical solutions I can implement starting today.

Prompt 6: Journal Analysis​

Here are my recent journal entries from my Telos file:

[Your journal entries for the past week/month]

Please analyze:
1. What patterns do you see in my behavior and emotions?
2. When am I most productive vs. procrastinating?
3. What triggers my best and worst days?
4. What insights emerge that I might be missing?
5. What should I focus on next week based on these patterns?

Give me specific, actionable advice based on this data.

Common Problems List​

Use this list to help identify problems you might be experiencing:

Career/Work Problems​

  • Lack of clear career path or advancement
  • Skills becoming obsolete or outdated
  • Work-life imbalance affecting health/relationships
  • Imposter syndrome despite achievements
  • Industry barriers to entry or advancement
  • Toxic work environment or colleagues
  • Underemployment or being overqualified
  • Job insecurity or fear of automation

Personal Growth Problems​

  • Lack of direction or purpose in life
  • Chronic procrastination or time management issues
  • Fear of failure or taking risks
  • Limited self-awareness or emotional intelligence
  • Inconsistent routines or habits
  • Difficulty learning new skills
  • Lack of discipline or motivation
  • Perfectionism that prevents progress

Relationship Problems​

  • Difficulty making meaningful connections
  • Communication issues with partners/family
  • Social anxiety or isolation
  • Trust issues from past experiences
  • Setting poor boundaries with others
  • Feeling misunderstood or alone
  • Conflict avoidance or confrontation issues
  • Maintaining long-distance relationships

Financial Problems​

  • Insufficient income for needs/goals
  • Debt that limits freedom and options
  • Lack of financial literacy or planning
  • Fear of financial insecurity
  • Difficulty saving or investing
  • Lifestyle inflation pressure
  • Unexpected expenses or emergencies
  • Comparison with others' financial success

Health Problems​

  • Chronic stress or anxiety
  • Poor sleep quality or consistency
  • Lack of exercise or physical activity
  • Unhealthy eating habits
  • Mental health challenges (depression, burnout)
  • Chronic pain or health conditions
  • Lack of work-life balance
  • Sedentary lifestyle from work

Society/World Problems​

  • Education system gaps or inequalities
  • Healthcare accessibility or cost issues
  • Environmental sustainability concerns
  • Economic inequality or injustice
  • Political polarization or division
  • Digital divide or technology access
  • Misinformation or media literacy issues
  • Community disconnection or isolation

Getting Started Checklist​

  • Copy this template to your personal file
  • Set aside 30 minutes of uninterrupted time
  • Use AI prompts to help fill in sections
  • Be brutally honest - no one else needs to see this
  • Focus on the Core Four first (Problems, Missions, Narratives, Goals)
  • Add journal entries regularly (daily or weekly)
  • Review and update monthly
  • Use AI to analyze patterns and provide insights
  • Share with trusted mentor or friend for feedback
  • Celebrate progress and small wins