Create a Bigger Vision

Sometimes it feels like we do not know where we are headed. We just seem to be going through the motions. Where are we going? Where do we go from here? Is this all there is? How many times have you felt this way or asked yourself these questions? I know I have more often than I care to admit.

When this happens it just may be possible that we need a bigger vision. Perhaps a bigger vision of who we are, what we want to accomplish or where we are headed. Without a firm picture of where we want to be, we will wander aimlessly from one challenge or crisis to another with limited energy and enthusiasm.

According to Dictionary.com, vision is defined as: the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be. By creating a picture in our mind of what we want the future to look like, we are establishing a multidimensional impression that can energize our thoughts and actions toward a specific outcome. The bigger and more clearly focused the mental image is the more we are able to channel our energy into moving in that direction.

A bigger vision allows us to put more energy into what we do to get to a better place. It also offers more room for creativity and innovation. The bigger vision allows us to consider possibilities that we might not have ever considered and opens creativity that leads us in a different direction to a more satisfying outcome.

We need to see ourselves as part of something bigger. When we just focus on ourselves we are missing out on how we interact with the rest of our environment. As we examine our wants, needs and motivations, we are likely to find that it is the connection to other people, through family and/or work organizations that drives our satisfaction. Being part of something bigger can help give a larger meaning to our lives. In order to expand, we have to be willing to explore the ways we limit our lives.

So how do we go about creating a larger vision? Here are some practical suggestions.

Keep in mind that this may take some time to fully develop and will be ever evolving, so don’t be frustrated that our first draft will not be easy.

1) What do you want? This is a simple question but very hard to answer. Think beyond material things such as a specific car or a large house. Try to imagine what a perfect day in your life would look and feel like. Be creative, explore wild ideas. Focus on what really makes you happy.

2) Write down your thoughts. Quickly, as soon as the idea enters you mind, write it down (also called brainstorming). Capture as many characteristics of your thoughts as possible. Do you want a warm climate? Do you want to live near family? Capture everything in as much detail as you can.

3) Start journaling. It may take some time to fully process the freedom of these ideas and they will change over time. Keeping a journal helps capture those thoughts as they evolve and may also help us form a perspective on how we are evolving our thinking.

4) Formalize our thoughts. After taking some time to capture our thoughts, reflect on them and create a simple vision statement. It may be something like, “I see myself as a well balanced professional in the field of communications, with a stable income, a healthy and prospering family living in Vermont”. Feel free to go into more detail, but no more than a page (less is better).

5) Create a Plan. Give some thought to what it will take to achieve that vision. Do we need more education or experience? Are there others that need to be part of the plan? Do they share the same vision? Once you have alignment, develop two or three solid next steps to get us on our way.

Now that we have a vision of where we would like to go and some practical first steps we can set out on our life adventure (by the way we just used the Change Formula). We know where we are going and we have a map on how to get there or at least several solid steps on the path. Our vision will change over time and we may need to do this exercise over and over again. The difference is that we will never be lost again, we will just simply be adjusting our direction.

I hope this helps you in your journey. Please feel free to comment on your vision or how this process has helped you.

Thanks,

Skip Gilbert