Day by day, week by week, and year by year time will pass. What will you do with your time? How do you want to be in your life? What qualities do you want to develop over time? These questions are ancient and related to an existential issue of, “Why are we here? “
I don’t have the answer. However, I believe you can have a fulfilling and meaningful life with richness and vitality even if you don’t know the answer. Also, I believe creating a vision for the future supports your purpose in life. By creating a general vision and then a personal vision statement allows you to have a yardstick to measure your progress so you don’t drift aimlessly through life.
A personal vision can change over time. The yardstick principle allows you to know if your vision needs to be modified. It is a starting point. To begin to craft a personal vision statement you will need to know what matters in your life. What matters points to your values. To get clarity on your values you can read a post I wrote in August last year, What Are Your Values? Once you read the post check back here.
Welcome back. If you have questions let me know so I can help. What’s next after writing a personal vision statement? Goal setting is the next step. As you complete this next step remain flexible. As the saying goes, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.” Another saying I like for this step is, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”
- What is your goal 10 years from now – in connection to your vision statement and values?
- What is your goal 5 years from now?
- One year from now?
- How about in 6 months? You are moving closer to the present.
- What are you willing to commit to doing over the next 90 days that will be in alignment with your personal vision statement?
I ask people to pick 10 things they are willing to commit to doing over the next 90 days. (Hint: about one thing a week). You might include things you want to stop doing such as yelling when you are angry. This is when you have the opportunity to make a different choice like take 10 breaths when you are angry before saying anything. Learn about the gift of 10 breaths by clicking here. It is 10 second exercise. Also, 10 to do might include play, fun, and relaxation.
The last question, “What can you do in the present moment to begin living your vision. It is important to remember living in the present moment is how your dreams manifest for your personal vision in connection to your values.
What strategy will you use to travel through life? Progress not perfection is the attitude to carry along as you travel. Enjoy the journey with all its twists and turns. There may be road blocks along the way as well as bumps in the road.. You will have to make choices on how to navigate through the barriers. Allow your values and a clear vision to guide you like a north star. If you get stuck let me know. I may be able to help. Get support. It can be family, friends, role models or groups of like-minded.
I have used this method to clarify my vision for my private practice. Stop by Tamara Suttle’s blog, Private Practice from the Inside Out, and read my guest post about the process.
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(c) 2012 Brenda Bomgardner, MA, NCC, LPC
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Jann
August 17, 2012 at 05:06 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I am a long-time believer in setting goals to achieve my dreams. I am currently living my dream – hiking the 2,184 mile Appalachian Trail. I am at mile 1,607 and anticipate completing the entire trail in 6 – 7 weeks. Upon my return home my husband and I will be sitting down and making our 1 – 5 – 10 year plan. Originally it was only a 5 year plan, but now I see the merit of the multi-year plan.
Brenda Bomgardner
August 17, 2012 at 13:00 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Jann, You are an inspiration. Hiking the Appalachian Trail took and still is taking some serious planning. Hiking the trail is such a great metaphor for life. It all started with one step. What I like is what it has added to your life. Okay, so maybe you can put a checkmark by the “DONE THAT” bucket list. Tthe real joy are preparing, planning and the actual hike. The things you have seen, the people you have met, the challenges you have faced. Thank you for taking the time on your trip to tell us you are living your dream. I am beaming with joy just to hear about it.
Tara Saulibio
August 17, 2012 at 07:33 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
I must say, I really like this elephant image and the quote under it!
P.S. Just wanted to confirm for you per our previous conversation that there is no “follow comments” box to click.
Brenda Bomgardner
August 17, 2012 at 12:49 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
Hi Tara, The quote is one of my fave and the image is taken from flickr. I will need to check into a plug-in to follow comments. Thank you. Love to have you visit. Be well!
5 Steps to Personal Growth and Happiness » Creating Your Beyond, LLC | Creating Your Beyond, LLC
January 1, 2013 at 19:07 (UTC -6) Link to this comment
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