|
How clear is your vision?
When I ask that question, I'm not talking about seeing 20/20. I'm referring
to knowing where you want to go with your life…thinking about the future, and
your path into it. Many people set as their vision to have a new house,
or a different job. These are actually goals, something to be achieved.
And they are good things to aspire to.
A vision is something else. It's about your purpose here on earth, what
you'll do with the life you've been given. It's something to be lived every
minute. A vision, also called purpose, dream, mission, is something that
remains relatively constant throughout one's life. Examples of great visions
are: to be a grateful giver, to live life with passion, to be a teacher/mentor
to children, and the like.
Within this vision or purpose, there are many smaller steps or goals to be attained
along the way. How do you find out your vision for your life, your purpose?
First: list the areas in which you are talented…things
you like to do, areas you are interested in.
Second: see how they tie together into a vision or purpose.
As an example here, a neighbor of mine was looking for a job that would really
provide fulfillment. She was talking to me across the fence between our
backyards, and she was struggling to find something that she really loved, and
with which she could make a living. I looked at her yard, gardens, landscaping
and suggested that she go into the gardening, or landscaping business. She,
at first, was surprised, as this wasn't where her training had been. However,
after giving it some thought, she decided to open a personalized lawn and garden
consulting business, and worked with homeowners to make their yards beautiful
and easy to care for. She was excited about her new-found purpose, and motivated
every day. She's found her area of talent, and mixed it with her career.
AND, she was making many yards more beautiful and families happier, which went
along with her purpose.
Third: make a plan! You must take the time with yourself,
and also with your significant other if there is one involved, to make a list
of your talents, your interests, and your desires. To create a vision for
your life from those. To make an action plan about how you'll accomplish
them in your life. This is the time consuming part, however it can be fun!
Take a few hours on one of the great evenings we have this time of year to start.
Relax, sit outside, and contemplate your future, what difference you want to make,
and how you'd like to do that. And don't get discouraged if you don't come
up with something right away. If this is new to you, it will take more than
one sitting to come up with your plan.
Fourth: Keep your plan visible. Post it in a place
you'll see everyday. Break the steps into actionable items, things you can
do in small steps. Remember, once you begin to focus here, your RAS (reticular
activating system) will begin to look for all kinds of ways to make this plan
a reality!
People with a vision, and a plan to make it happen, are the people around you
getting things done, and making a difference in their lives. It isn't a
talent, it's a skill that can be learned. You are so much more powerful
when you take control over your life with a vision and a plan to put that vision
into action!
|
