How to Create a Vision That Inspires and Motivates

According to Bob Proctor, ‘Most people are not going after what they want. They’re going after what they think they can get’.   Are you thinking big enough?  Do your goals reflect this?

Goals are important because they keep you focused and on track. But a list of goals will rarely create excitement that propels us into action. They are measures that feel like a ‘to do’ list and often lack emotion. So before you start setting personal and business goals, create a vision for your life.

Your vision is a picture of the future YOU create with your imagination. It’s the WHY behind everything you do. It brings together all the elements of your life – family, relationships, financial, business, spiritual, health and community. It speaks to you. You can see it and feel it.

And, because your vision is sometime in the future, it allows you to THINK BIGGER. Your practical nature and inhibitions don’t act like a road block, the kind that produce little, safe goals.

So how far in the future should your vision be? There is no right or wrong answer here. Some people prefer to look at their lifetime, while others choose a shorter period of time. I use and recommend a 5 year period. It’s far enough in the future to encourage big thinking, but close enough to keep you motivated and driven.

So ask yourself this question, “What would I like my life to look like in 5 years?”

Okay, not an easy question. Many small business owners struggle with this. It’s often difficult to think big and beyond the next week or month when you are so imbedded in the day-to-day running of your business.

So below are some simple, but not necessarily easy, exercises that can help you create a clear internal image for your future direction. I use them myself and with clients. Pick one or do multiple.

Can’t Stand / Want Instead Approach -- Sometimes it helps if you start with the easy part - what you don’t like about your life right now. On the left side, make a list of all the things that you’re unhappy with at work, at home, in your community, in your relationships or personally. On the right side, flip these around, and record how these circumstances would look IF they were working for you. Here’s an example. Can’t Stand: Not spending enough time with my family. Want Instead: A business (or job) that allows me to spend most evenings and weekends with my spouse and children.

Everything I’ve Ever Wanted Approach (101 Things I Want to Be-Do-Have Before I Die) -- This approach is very popular and was reinforced in the movie, The Bucket List. Make your own bucket list. Write down every dream or wish that ever entered your mind. Do not worry about how you will get there. Don’t let time, money, family responsibilities or current situations become a road block. Simply let your imagination run wild and create an list of things that you would like to BE, DO, HAVE or ACCOMPLISH during your lifetime.

The End in Mind Approach – Suppose you are celebrating your 85th birthday. You have had a full life and lived to the utmost of your potential. People have gathered to honor you and express their love and appreciation for your life. There will be four speakers: a family member, a friend, a work or business colleague, and someone from your church or community. What would YOU like each of these people to be able to say about you and your life? What contributions and achievements would you want them to remember? What difference would you like to have made in their lives? Jot down your thoughts as you visualize each one.

Now it’s time to craft your vision. Here’s a few things to consider:

• Pick a specific date 3-5 years from today
• Write down YOUR accomplishments for this period as if already accomplished (present tense). Remember to address accomplishments in all areas of your life: financial, business, relationships, family, health, spiritual, community and personal.
• Be specific so you can measure progress, but give it a lot of stretch. It’s 3+ years away. If it doesn’t make you a little nervous, you may be thinking too small!
• Build in some emotion. Write down how you FEEL about what you’ve accomplished. Why they are important to you. What you are grateful for with your new life.

Remember, your personal vision is YOURS – so say what you feel! And put it in writing. There is no right or wrong way to prepare your vision. Sometimes our strengths will dictate our preference.

If you are more of a right-brain, analytical thinker, you may prefer to use bullet points for each of the categories of your life. Remember to include some emotional elements.

If you are more of a left-brain, creative thinker, write freely but keep it grounded with some specifics and tangibles so you can track progress over the 3-5 year period.

Now for the litmus test. Does your vision excite and inspire you? Keep it accessible and view it often. Want to make it more powerful? Add a vision board … a collection of pictures and words that represent your future life – your dreams, goals and accomplishments.

You are now ready to set your goals for the coming year. Make them SMART and align them with your vision.

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