Do you even have one?
Have you really thought about your future ?
I’m not talking about casual thoughts you may have about the next few years of your life. I mean a proper vision for your future, written down and committed to paper.
If you don’t have such a thing, not to worry, it’s simple to do. It’s also very powerful.
Let me explain a bit more.
In business we’re used to having objectives. Quarterly, monthly, and weekly plans are tools that are commonly used. Even daily ‘to-do-lists’ are the norm. At a level above this, organisations and businesses have visions or mission statements. Indeed, they put a lot of time, effort, and money into creating them. They do this to help their people and customers, understand the company’s aims, purpose, and desired direction.
Most of us (and until a few years ago I would include myself in this) don’t have a similar plan or vision for our own lives. Instead, we roll from week to week, month to month, and from year to year.
We’re all familiar with the expression ‘we work to live, not live to work’ – right?
So why is it that so many of us seem to leave our personal lives to complete chance?
Here’s how things changed for me.
Around four years ago I was a delegate on the Living Leader’s personal leadership programme. Unlike many other courses I’d been on previously, this one was having a real impact. What I was learning was really sinking in.
On day two of the programme, we came to the subject of visioning. Whilst I’d heard of the concept before (often used by athletes and sports stars) this was not something I’d done myself. To be completely honest about it, I was more than a little sceptical. In fact, I was super sceptical. I even recall thinking - What’s this nonsense?
Here’s how things went.
We were asked to imagine the best six months of our lives. Not six months that we’d already had, but six months at some point in the future. We were encouraged to think without limitation, to cast aside any limiting beliefs. Anything was possible.
We split into pairs and each of us talked for around 15 minutes describing at a really deep level what those six months were like.
We spoke out aloud, in the present tense , describing the things that were going on around us. Verbalising aspects of our lives, like our home, relationships, travel, hobbies, and friendships. It felt a little weird at first, but once I got into my stride, I was away with it.
My "vision buddy" took notes while I shared my thoughts, capturing the essence of my vision. I described being in a beautiful garden with friends, enjoying the warm sunshine, the sound of running water, and the aroma of frequent barbecues. There was a backdrop of chatter and laughter. I described traveling the world for both work and pleasure, finding fulfilment in delivering leadership training and inspiring others. I talked about a balanced and fulfilling life.
After 15 minutes we switched over and repeated the exercise. It was my turn to listen intently and without interruption, allowing the other person to imagine anything was possible. No interjection whatsoever, this was entirely about their thoughts. My purpose was to be there to encourage them to think big, just by listening.
Once we were done, we were urged to write up our visions as quickly as possible when we returned home. I narrowed mine down into seven areas of my life and chose to do some cartoon sketches to bring it alive.
We were asked to place them somewhere prominent, somewhere we’d see them every day. We were also encouraged to change the location every few weeks, so that it didn’t become part of the furniture, keeping the vision prominent and at the forefront of our minds.
Now then, no doubt some of you reading this will be thinking how the hell can a vision make any difference? Before I tried it, I was in the same place.
A vision inspires you to try new things. It guides your choices and gives purpose. This purpose, or as lots of people refer to it these days, their ‘Why’, is the key to unlocking your deepest motivations.
Here’s my thoughts on how it really works.
We all lead extremely busy lives, right? There’s all sorts of stuff going on around us, every minute of every day. Things pass us by without us even realising. This includes opportunities. For me that’s where visioning comes in.
When you have something at the forefront of your mind, something that you want to achieve, those opportunities, the same ones that have always been out there, present themselves to you more clearly.
Because you know what you want, because you brought your vision into your conscious awareness, the opportunities stand out and become more obvious. They seem to crystalise, enabling you to see new ways of achieving your goals.
Four years on, I’m enjoying garden BBQs with friends, and I now have my own business running leadership training programmes, not just here in the UK, but all over the world. Big chunks of my vision have been realised.
So, here’s my conclusion to all of this.
My vision enabled me to spot new opportunities and grab them. If I’d not done the vision, I’d have been blind to the opportunities, and they’d have just passed on by without me even realising. Categorically, 100%, without doubt, I’d not be doing what I am today without first having done my vision. I genuinely believe that.
So, find yourself a partner, think big, be bold, and enjoy the process of sharing your vision.
Then it’s up to you. Simply write it up - display it somewhere - move it regularly...
...and then enjoy the benefits of having a proper vision.
Visioning - go on - I urge you to give it a go😊.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.
Find Gherkin on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/company/gherkin-associates-ltd
Helping People and Businesses Thrive
Glenn Smith – Gherkin Associates Ltd
Comments