You can reach your destination much sooner if you know where you’re going. Successful people know where they are going. And they have a plan for getting there!
What is a vision statement?
A vision statement is not:
- About money. Money only gets temporary movement; it is not enough to actually motivate you. You will work harder for meaning than for money.
- Verbose.
- Hard to understand and convoluted.
- Impossible to remember.
A vision statement:
- Preserves your core values and purpose (which never change) and stimulates progress (which is always changing)
- Is vibrant and engaging
- Produces a visual image or picture
- Depicts a huge, daunting, exhilarating challenge
- Is clear and compelling
- Is something people “get” right away
- Serves as a focal point
- Galvanizes people
- Catalyzes and creates a spirit within you to strive toward it
- Inspires passion, intensity, emotion, and conviction for living it out
- Has a wow factor, where you would feel fantastic if you could make it happen
- Is something you really want to be a part of and are willing to put significant effort into realizing
- Energizes and excites you
- Will require a quantum step forward in your capabilities and characteristics
- Is something you are 100 percent committed to
Preparing to determine your personal vision
Before you can know where you are going, you must first ask yourself two questions:
- Where have you been?
- Where are you now?
Write your personal vision statement
Now you’re ready to answer the question: where are you going? You can cast a vision by following these two simple steps.
1. Thoroughly understand the criteria
Before you draft your vision statement, take a moment to review the previous section, “What is a vision statement?”, so you’re clear about what a vision statement is and what it isn’t.
2. Vividly describe your vision
Use words to clearly describe your personal vision so that you can explain it to other people.
Here’s one way you can capture your vision in sufficient detail. Vividly describe your accomplishments as though you have been asked to write an article fifteen years from now for an international publication about an award you have received for accomplishing your personal vision. Consider the following questions:
- What has been your unique impact on the people in your circle of influence?
- How do your closest friends describe their friendship with you? What makes them say wow about your relationship with them?
- What has this achievement meant to you?
- How have you grown personally and what competencies have you developed?
- What are family, friends, and coworkers saying about your accomplishments? Why?
Based on your answers to the questions above, you are now ready to write your personal vision statement.