Overview
Discover what a vision statement is and why it is important and then get some help on how to develop your own.
What is a vision statement?
A vision statement is a description of where you see your life in the future. It could be the near future or it could be a long time in the future. It should be a very lucid description so that the description will help you feel what that future will be like. It should be very positive and its language should make good use of the present tense so that the description sounds like it has already been achieved.
Why bother with a vision statement?
A vision statement serves several purposes:
It is a source of inspiration. By describing the situation in a tangible way it provides a source of encouragement when things get a little tough.
It is a source of motivation. It helps you remember why you are doing certain things and the kind of life that you are determined to live in the future.
It help you achieve. Your brain will start to develop plans for how it can achieve what you are describing. I know it sounds a little like mumbo-jumbo but the brain starts to take on the kind of life that is described to it. The more real you can make the description the more this will work.
It helps you get support. Write your vision in such a way that you are able to share it with others. When you show your vision statement to others they will start to think of ways that they can help you get what you want. The vast majority think of how they can help others and by sharing your vision with them you are opening up a whole new world of possibilities. This doesn’t mean you can sit back and let others do all the hard work for you but just that others will help you if you show them what you are trying to do.
How do I develop a vision statement?
We recommend following every step thoughtfully and carefully but its up to you. If you just want to jump in and write your statement now you can.
We begin with imagining. Try to imagine what a perfect life would be like for you. Don’t think in money terms but imagine for a moment that money was not an object to getting what you want. Where would you like to live? What kind of car would you like to drive (if you even want a car)? What will your family be like (if you want one that is)? What kinds of relationships will you enjoy. Write it all down and try to describe it in as much detail as you can. Describe it in such terms that you can feel what it is like to be in that situation. Write all of this down. You can always come back to it later if you want.
Now think about resources. What resources do you need to help you get the kind of life you want? How much money does it need? Often we need less money that we think we do to achieve our ideal life. What people could help us realise this ideal picture? What training or education would help you? Write it down.
Now think about a job. Most of us have to work to get the resources we need to achieve our dreams. What kind of job do you need/want to realise your dream? If your dream requires lots of money how can you get it? If you are not qualified enough to get that kind of money then either redefine your dream or get more training – the choice is yours. How does your job feature in your dream? Your job might be part of the dream or it might be a way to get your dream. If its a way to get your dream how can you make your job more enjoyable while the long term goal is being worked towards? Write all this down.
Now bring it all together. At this stage all you need to do is just write a statement that makes sense. The most important detail is in the vision of the future – much of the rest of the things you have thought about concern the goals you will set to reach your dream.
Refine it. The first step in refining is to make sure it is written in the present tense e.g. I am rather than I will be. This helps your brain get the picture. Then look at the language. Is there a simpler way of saying what you have said – are there words you could cut out? Once you simplified it take another look at how it feels. Have you included any feeling words? The more you can sense and feel the picture the more powerful it will be. The last step is to personalise it. It should inspire you not me. Write it in a way that will inspire you.
Share it. If you let others in on your vision then you will be more likely to succeed. Feel free to add a little explanation of what you are trying to do when you share it with them but be brave and don’t compromise on what you say.
Put your vision statement somewhere you can see it every day.
