Here I will list all of the checklists, daily study plans, and assignments for each phase of this guide. Then at the end, I'll include a huge list of links that sums up some of the best resources that are included in this guide.

Mindset Prep:

• Cultivate a Growth Mindset (i.e., Have Faith in Your Success)
• Commit to Long-Term Study
• Mentally Prepare Yourself for Future Setbacks
• Pick Your Holy Habit Time
  • Identify the Cue, Routine, and Reward
• Conserve Willpower
• Identify Barriers to Consistent Studying and Systematically Eliminate Them
• Create an Accountability System (Optional)

Vocab Prep:

• Download or Bookmark an App or Program for Learning Hiragana and Katakana (Ninja Tool #1)
• Download Anki (Ninja Tool #2)
• Purchase Remembering the Kanji (Optional) (Ninja Tool #3)
• Bookmark Reviewing the Kanji (Ninja Tool #4)

Listening Prep

• Sign Up for JapanesePod101 (or Other Audio Lessons) (Ninja Tool #5)

Reference Prep

• Set Up Your Computer to Read Japanese Characters (Ninja Tool #6)
• Bookmark Awesome Online Dictionaries (Ninja Tool #7)
• Install Awesome Web Browser Plugins (Ninja Tool #8)
• Download Awesome Smartphone Apps (Ninja Tool #9)

Grammar Prep

• Choose and Purchase (Optional) Your Preferred Series of Grammar Books (Ninja Tool #10)

Speaking Prep

• Download the Caveman Conversation Course (Included) (Ninja Tool #11)
• Create an Account for Taking Online Japanese Lessons (Ninja Tool #12)
• Create an Account for Japanese Language Exchange (Optional) (Ninja Tool #13)
• High Five Yourself

Ninja Brain Prep #1 – Learn Japanese Pronunciation

(Estimated Time to Completion: 30 Minutes)

• Read the Pronouncing Japanese section a few times.
• Keep that information in mind as you proceed to Brain Prep #2.

Ninja Brain Prep #2 – Learn Hiragana & Katakana

(Estimated Time to Completion: 1 Week)

• Get a free app or program for learning hiragana and katakana.
• Learn the reading and pronunciation of every single character.
• Learn to write the characters (recommended, but you don't really need to if you don't feel like it; personally, I never handwrite any Japanese).
• Keep using your chosen app or program every single day until you know all of the characters like the back of your hand.

Ninja Brain Prep #3 – Learn All 2,136 Joyo Kanji

(Estimated Time to Completion: 97 Days)

• Download Anki.
• Download the Nihongoshark.com Kanji Deck.
• Set Anki's preferences.
• Start learning new kanji.
• Repeat new-kanji-learning process 2,131 times.
• Review kanji flashcards every day.

Daily Study Chain Prep

• Go online and find a monthly or yearly calendar that you like the look of.
• Print it out.
• Buy or set aside two colored markers: Blue and Red; or Your Favorite Color and Your Most Hated Color; any two colors.
• Start marking (Blue) X's on days that you study all three chain items, (Red) X's the first time you miss one or more chain items, and No X's every time you go two or more days without studying all three chain items (Hint: This should never happen).

Daily Chain Item #1 – Flashcards

• Download the Blank NihongoShark.com Vocabulary Deck.
• When you encounter new words in your studies, add them to your deck (either manually or using EPWing2Anki.
• Download the Pre-Loaded NihongoShark.com Vocabulary Deck.

Daily Chain Item #2 – Listening Practice

• Remove barriers to listening practice.
• Put audio lessons onto your phone, mp3 player, PC, Xbox, CDs—Everywhere!

Daily Chain Item #3 – Grammar and Speaking Practice

• On Day #1 of Phase #3, schedule a lesson or language exchange meeting for
  Day #7 of Phase #3.
• On Day #1-7 of Phase #3, plow through the Caveman Conversation Course.
• On Day #7, take your first (online) Japanese lesson.
• Schedule your second (online) Japanese lesson.

Daily Chain Process

1. 1.Flashcards
   • Study ALL of your Review Cards every day.
   • Study 25 New Cards every day.
2. Listening
   • Listen to at least 1 audio lesson every day.
3. Grammar & Speaking
   • Study grammar at least 1 minute per day.
   • Practice speaking (preferably, in lessons) at least once a week.

Completely Immerse Your Technology in Japanese

• Set your PC's operating system to Japanese.
• Set your phone's language to Japanese.
• Japanify your web browser.
• Get more Japanese in your Facebook feed.
• Get more Japanese in your Twitter feed.
• Try to watch only Japanese videos on YouTube.
• Get more Japanese in your email inbox.

Completely Immerse Your Entertainment in Japanese

• Listen to lots of Japanese music.
• Watch lots of Japanese TV shows.
• Read lots of Japanese manga and books.

Shift Your Study Focus

• Continue and improve upon Year 1 studying.
• Give more priority to your motivator(s).
• Take the all-Japanese plunge.
• Go to Japan (optional).
• Set new goals (optional).