Sarah Hughes, Gold Metal Skater, had hers at age six. Joseph Campbell, folklore author, found his after visiting the Museum of History in NYC. At age 4, Oprah Winfrey remembers watching her grandmother washing clothes by boiling them – Oprah “knew” then her life would be different. They all found something that raised their inner vibrations, their passion — and created a vision.

People who live their visions always seem to have time to do the things they want to do – we often call them “go getters!” They’re focused, make decisions easily and smile often. And they’re flexible – they don’t get “stuck” in their vision and miss better opportunities. As Joseph Campbell said, “We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

And you’re not limited to just one vision. People are living full lives into their 80s and 90s, something unheard of just a few generations ago. With continued opportunities to grow and evolve, we may create several visions over a lifetime. I can give you an example…I loved working on a trading desk on Wall Street and couldn’t see myself doing anything else. But 20 years later, I’ve found another passion – consulting and coaching – and perhaps in another 20 years, there’ll be another passion that calls to me – I can’t wait!

If you want to live in a way that empowers and motivates you, it’s time to create a vision. Make it simple but remember that the hallmark of a vision is that it promotes action. You must get it out of your head, onto paper, and into your life! Here are some ways to create a vision.

 Create a theme for the year. Make it specific and based on what you want to accomplish during the next twelve months. Choose 1-4 words that will motivate you, for example: Simply Wealthy, Big Leaps of Faith, Be Present, Present Be. Write your words on index cards, or create a banner with your theme on it!

 Design a dream board (or treasure map) — a collage of images of what you’d love to have and make of your life. Why not host a Dream Board Party and ask your friends to bring magazines from which everyone can cut pictures?

 Fashion A Mind Map. Originated in the late 1960s by Tony Buzan, millions of people use Mind Maps for the purpose of visioning. Draw a circle the size of a quarter in the middle of a sheet of paper and write “YOU” in the middle. Then draw a line coming out of the circle for each area of your life — Relationships, Family, Romance, Friends, Professional, Personal/Spiritual, Finance & Money, Physical Environment, Health, Play & Recreation. These lines can be short or long, straight or squiggly, and you can use as many colors as you like!

Out of each of the primary lines, create more lines with ideas, or draw some pictures about the topic. A mind map’s purpose is to visualize what’s important to you, why it’s important, and to create a plan to help you reach your goals.

 Construct A Vision Statement. In the late 1970’s, I learned about setting SMART goals and I think it’s a great system. SMART is an acronym for a goal-setting technique: S(pecific), M(easurable), A(chievable), R(ealistic), T(ime-frame).

Let’s say you want to create a vision for your business. Come up with one or two sentences that include the “time frame” for the vision, a company name, an adjective that best describes what you want to accomplish, what your business is about, who it’s for, where your clients are located, describe your products and, of course, include how much you want to make – net or gross, your choice.

Use your vision statement to stay focused. If an opportunity comes your way, look at it in light of your vision, decide if the opportunity is in line with – or better than – what you want, or if it’s really something to say “no” to.

Finally, update your vision or theme yearly – the beginning of the New Year is a great time to do it! Your vision can be much more powerful and last longer than a list of resolutions. Remember that vision statements are dreams with a well thought-out, deliberately created plan behind them. So take your vision and fly in 2004!

Excellent quotes on vision statements:

“Having a clear vision, especially during difficult times, will set your business — and your leadership — apart.” – Mike Lipton

“You cannot be successful if you have no vision or if you don’t feel worthy of success.” – Stedman Graham

“A leader has the vision and conviction that a dream can be achieved. He inspires the power and energy to get it done.”
- Ralph Lauren

“Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.” – Jonathan Swift, English satirist (b. 1667)

“When you follow your bliss… doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors, and where there wouldn’t be a door for anyone else.” – Joseph Campbell

Learn More About Visions:
Create A Yearly Theme http://www.coachmaria.com/articles/yearlytheme.html
How To Design A Dream Board http://www.coachmaria.com/articles/dreamboard.html
 

©2009  Maria Marsala, Strategic Business Coach, Speaker, Author, and former Wall Street Trader. At Elevating Your Business, we work with high-achieving professional service business owners committed to increasing their company’s profits, performance, and value as they pursue their desired lifestyle. Join our ezine and listen to your free business and marketing plan audio. Visit http://www.ElevatingYourBusiness.com