Vision: Part 1

The definition of vision is “the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom” (Oxford Languages). In business, we use language that describes what the world would look like if the mission is accomplished; the desired future we hope for. Personally, it is similar; you can have a vision for your desired future circumstances or a vision for the impact you will make in your community and the world. 

Ultimately, I believe that it is the character of a person that determines the impact they will have. Therefore, having a vision for the person you want to be, the character you want to possess, is far more important than the circumstances you hope for. 

With all of our clients, we help them develop vision or character statements for their lives. This is a statement that puts language to who you want to be.

I realize putting all of that into a statement or a few sentences feels daunting! It can be challenging to choose just a few points of focus. But I challenge you to try. Don’t worry about the things you don’t include, rather consider that choosing a few important things will inevitably produce growth in many areas.  

When you set out to develop a vision for your life, here are some questions you can ask:

1. What qualities/characteristics do you most want to possess?

2. What themes emerge when you think about your story?

3. What legacy (in terms of who you are, not necessarily what you do) do you want to leave?

4. What are your values? What is most important to you?

5. When you envision your life in 30, 40, 50+ years, what do you see?

These are the kinds of questions that are really easy to overthink, but your vision should feel like a good and natural fit. Simply answer the questions honestly and allow the process of answering them to be informed by who you are. 

Because the truth is, who you are becoming is already in you. 

One of our coaches, Mitch Rumppe, says of vision:

“Vision brings clarity to how you will accomplish what is in you. Fulfillment is not achieved by the accomplishing of tasks or the completion of goals, it is far more holistic. Are you living out of a fostered fragile expression of yourself or who you truly are?

Bringing clarity to a vision for your life anchors you to your core and becomes a filter for the expression of your life. It allows you to experience the fullness of joy as you reach for the things that are within you to do!”

To be continued…