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How to Develop a Personal Vision
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Are you a visionary? Or do you prefer to spend your time in the here
and now, solving problems and getting on with things? Achieving a
balance between 'dreaming' about a desired future state and living in
the current state is difficult. Many of us have a strong inclination
towards one or the other ... very few of us are able to achieve and
sustain a balance between the two.
A Tug-of-War
There is a constant tug-of-war going on between dealing with 'current
reality' and developing a lofty vision of who we want to be, what we
want to do and what we want to have.
This short exercise affords you the opportunity to achieve such a
balance. We sincerely hope that you find it of lasting value.
1. Get relaxed
Find a quiet spot where you will not be interrupted. Gather a pad of
paper and a pencil. Get seated comfortably. Close your eyes. Take a
few deep breaths and let go of all your tensions.
2. Choose a starting point
If you are the type that likes to live in current reality then start
there. Ask yourself the question: What about my current reality do I
have control over and would like to change? Keep asking this question
about all aspects of your life:
a. Family
b. Career/Job
c. Health and Fitness
d. Home/Location
e. Financial
f. Possessions
g. Hobbies and Interests
h. Spiritual
i. Relationships
j. Life Purpose
If you prefer to take the visionary approach, project yourself forward
five years from the current date, and picture a perfect day in your
life where all of the above aspects are working in harmony. Picture as
you arise in the morning, how all of these aspects come together
gradually throughout the day, and as you retire for the night how
grateful and at peace you feel for having all of these aspects work
for you. Picture it as though you were living it right now, and use
words in the present tense to describe it.
Now, without further ado start writing! If you prefer to draw, then do
that as well, but try to capture your vision or current reality in
words.
3. Prioritize
Whether you are dealing with current reality and trying to change it,
or visioning a brand new future, you need to set priorities. For each
aspect, compare it in turn with each of the other aspects and make a
choice. Is A more important than B? C? D? etc. Go through all of these
and come up with a list of prioritized areas. If an area is low on the
priority list it does not mean that it gets tossed out. Instead it
receives attention later rather than sooner.
4. Plan and take action
Take the first item on your list and develop a plan around it. If it
is Financial, talk with a financial advisor. If it is a Career issue,
talk with a trusted friend or someone who understands your career
goals. In any case, talk it through with a coach, mentor or expert in
the area. Search out books, educational programs etc and study them.
Whatever you do, get started. As you develop and implement your plan,
you will notice that the other aspects of your life will become
involved. Don't worry about this. As you draw in these other aspects,
you will continue to maintain a focus on your prioritized areas. This
is as it should be.
5. Review and revise
Review your plan regularly, gradually weaving into it all of the other
aspects of your life. Your plan and the actions taken as a result will
become interwoven over time, reflecting the many faceted aspects of
your life. At least once yearly, review your plan in its entirety and
adjust your priorities. As you do this you will achieve a greater
focus in your life, while at the same time acknowledging the
complexities of this world.
Final thoughts
Most dreams remain just that ... dreams. Setting some tangible goals
and getting going translates the dream into reality. It was once said
that 'a goal is a dream taken seriously.' Realizing your personal
vision takes uncommon persistence and determination to achieve your
goals, and with that thought we leave you with the following quote by
Calvin Coolidge:
"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent
will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; un-rewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education
will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and
determination alone are omnipotent." -
Calvin Coolidge
Written By Brian Ward
Lucy Doss
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