WHY VISION MATTERS. Now More Then Ever
Right now, you might be wondering why we’re talking about the future or if it’s even possible to have a vision for the future, given the current crisis. But it matters now more than ever.
And here’s why.
In talking to my coaching colleagues and having powerful conversations with my clients, what I’m finding is that people are in reflection right now. There’s a lot of self-awareness and emotion being processed. What we value is highlighted and the things that are broken are spotlighted too.
The future is all about possibility. Unfortunately, in trying times, experience usually trains us to focus on what’s not possible. But here’s the secret. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. We tend to experience what we expect so being mindful and intentional is key.
This inner reflection state is a great place to start thinking about what you want your future to look like. So, I invite you to be aware of the lessons learned in the past and garner more clarity about what’s really important to you.
What is Vison
Straight up, vision is about dreaming. And as we get older, we lose sight of how important this is unlike when were kids right? You know what I’m talking about for anyone who has kids or has been around children. Ask them what they want to be when they grow up and you’re going to get the best answers! But as life happens, this child-like view of the world diminishes and imagination is where creativity, innovation and joy lives.
Your personal vision is how you commit to live your life. Your life’s vision defines who you want to be, what your desired lifestyle is and the set of experiences and accomplishments you aim for. Your vision helps define the goals by giving you a framework to evaluate those goals.
Your vision becomes your why.
It is not your strategy. Strategy is the how. Strategy will shift and change. It adapts to the current situation. Strategy is the short term. Vision is the long term.
Why is this important?
1. It empowers you to clarify your life’s direction.
A CEO has a business plan to guide the company. A football coach has a game plan to lead his team.
A written vision plan empowers you to construct and clarify your life. It gives you the inspiration and motivation you need to move forward even in the face of fear.
2. It allows you to guard your life against imbalances.
A written vision plan helps you focus on the things essential to living your best life. It helps you maintain a healthy balance between where you are and where you desire to go. It allows us to find balance with work goals, health goals and family goals so it doesn’t feel like you’re sacrificing one for the other.
3. It provides laser like focus.
A written vision plan allows you to say “yes” to what matters most and “no” to those activities that don’t relate to your vision. It gives you the clarity and confidence you need to make the most of your potential opportunities.
4. It serves as your road map.
Your vision plan acts as a GPS for your life. You need to know where you are coming from and ultimately where you want to be. In the absence of that, you could be creating the wrong strategy or goals!
What Does this Process Look Like?
Imagine tomorrow and describe what you see. Think of yourself as standing in the future. What do you see there? What does it look like? This is not prediction or prophecy. You’re describing one of countless possible futures that will require the best thinking and effort of you. The future takes the shape of choices in the present. The idea is to imagine a tomorrow compelling enough to guide your choices today.
Your personal vision statement should answer these three questions:
What is my life about (purpose)?
What do I stand for (values)?
What actions do I take to realize this?
How do you Make Space to Craft you Vision Statement?
Make time. Get away and clear your head. The future doesn’t happen in the present, and it’s hard, if not impossible, to craft a vision in the midst of the day-to-day.
Start with a brainstorm.
Answer the questions that are meaningful to you.
When describing this future, you want to write in the present tense, as though your vision has already happened.
Write a first draft and walk away and re write it as necessary.
Share it with a trusted source,
Know that it can be an iterative process. It doesn’t need to happen in one sitting and its unlikely that it will anyway.
Now What?
Determine how often you will be reviewing it and in what form (written, audio and visual).
Vision is what we life to look like. For ourselves, for our businesses, and even the way we want the world to look. The thing is, having a vision can feel like a lift raft right now. It can help us hold onto to better times. Don’t let your dreams collect dust. Stay focused and motivated.
How important do you think vision is?