Success is about dedication. You may not be where you want to be or do what you want to do when you're on the journey. But you've got to be willing to have vision and foresight that leads you to an incredible end. - Usher
Having a clear vision of where you want to go in your personal and professional life is the first step towards success because this will become your map. If you do not have a vision for your life, you do not have a map to guide you towards the future you want. It can be challenging to develop a vision statement if you do not know what specifically you want.
Step 1: Figure out what you want
Make a list of what you want, including experiences and things. You can do this by spending some quiet time around nature, meditating, and quieting your mind from the surrounding distractions. Do not worry about the "How", for right now. We will look at the "How" some other time. Allow yourself to be creative and remove the limitations of the "how" for now. What would make you absolutely happy? In some seasons of life, it can be pretty difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel, so start small. Maybe start looking at your overall health ( mentally, emotionally, and physically). What is it that you want in your health?
Step 2: Write down the vision
Now that you know what you want, write a list of those items and then summarize them into a vision statement one concise sentence. The following bible verse has been my guide and a reminder whenever I feel lost.
Write the vision; make it plain on tablets.... - Habakkuk 2:2 ESV
It has also been scientifically proven that people who write their goals have a 40% higher chance of accomplishing them than those who do not.
Step 3: Visualize it
Your mind is a very powerful tool because it allows you to create a world in your mind and thoughts that can generate amazing feelings and emotions. You want to attach positive emotions to the visualization process consistently. Remember that thoughts create feelings, feelings create emotions, and emotions generate belief systems. Therefore, your life right now is a result of your belief system, and if you can accept that this is true, then you can take your power back and change your tomorrow. This is why I also love vision boards! You can feed your soul through your eyes and remind yourself of your map.
The top of one mountain is always the bottom of another. - Marianne Williamson
Remember, every mountain top you climb is the valley of another mountain top. No matter how much you have achieved in life, there is always another mountain top to reach, a new vision for your life, and another opportunity to be in a place of continued fulfillment, walking in the unique purpose assigned to you. Not to be striving continuously in life but to be able to walk on purpose.
Step 4: Receive it
This might be the most challenging part to comprehend because you must believe in the unseen. You have to believe that in a future time, this goal you want to achieve will materialize, but right at this moment, today, you have to believe it is already done and yours.
Call to Action:
What can you do today to get clarity on your vision?
Where do you see yourself in 1-3 years from now?