I DARE YOU TO DO THIS, RIGHT NOW! - Establish a Vision For Your Business and Your Life

If you haven't done this yet or if you're not willing to stop right now and do this today, then you're not really serious about making success in your life or in your business.

AS SOON AS YOUR EYE HITS THAT LAST PUNCTUATION MARK PICK UP YOUR PEN OR START TAPPING THAT KEYBOARD AND DO IT!

Your vision statement will provide you with the clarity you need to reach your stated goals, while staying within your set values.

Every good company operates on a shared vision.  Everyone is on the same page working toward the same challenging and obtainable goals.  When you have a vision of what your company is and understand where it's headed, you will be motivated to achieve those goals.

But what is a vision statement?  It is a clearly stated vision of the desired future of your organization or business.

It's what you think your company (your business, your life) will be like in five, ten, or however many years into the future.

A vision statement provides: Power - Direction - Focus  (PDF)

A clarified vision makes each day easier and simplifies focus when even the most challenging situations arise.

Your vision statement gives you direction to take at any given moment, and your focus and direction empowers you to take the right steps.  Your decisions are made faster, better and with fewer errors.

WHAT TOO AVOID

Too many vision statements are filled with puff, and fluff, and corporate psychobabble.  Words meant to impress, but which carry no weight.  Words which sound good but do not fill you when your direction seems empty.  Avoid creating a vision statement that ultimately does not lead you to action or clarify your direction.

THREE PARTS OF A VISION STATEMENT

1 PURPOSE - Why you do what you do.  What your destination is and what your reason for going is.

2 VALUES - How you do what you do.  Avoid the mechanical process of what you do and focus on the spirit of what it is that you do.  When creating a successful journey what values do you embrace?

3 OUTCOME - Your end vision.  Where do you want to be in the coming years? 

When you create your vision statement avoid the mechanics of what you do, rather focus on values, your end vision, and your reasons for getting there.

In regards to building a vision statement a wise teacher once taught me The Pyramid of Power.  Your vision statement is one element within this pyramid.

1 Why - The reason you strive for success.

2 Vision - Your vision of desired future.

3 Mission - What am I here to do?

4 Strategies - Avenues you will pursue.

5 Tactics - The steps you take down each of these avenues daily, weekly, yearly, etc.

GOALS

Our goals can be tangible or intangible.  Money, cars, property, toys, or travel are tangible, while quality of life, time with family, greater circle of empowering friends, sense of security, or a desire for self or spiritual fulfillment are intangible.

The point is to craft goals, visions, and values that motivate you to take the actions required to succeed.  As part of your assessment you will take your goals into consideration when choosing your vision, so defining what you want is one of the keys to accurately discern how you will go about getting it.

WRITING YOUR VISION STATEMENT

As the famed visionary once said, "If it ain't written, it ain't a goal.  It's a wish."  OK.  Nobody famous really said that in those exact words.  I just kind of made it up, but it's so true.  For your vision statement to hold value, you've got to take the time to put it in black and white or you'll never have a clear vision of what it really is, and don't make the mistake I did of writing a really good one and then putting it where you can't refer to it often to embolden and encourage you when the challenges come. (It's now printed and framed up on my wall.)

There's power in writing a good vision statement.  The very act turns an intangible idea into reality.  Putting your vision in writing can literally be the impetus towards accomplishing the stated vision and provide you with the clarity, courage and focus to press on through even the most challenging times.

Your Vision Statement is an expression of WHAT YOU WILL HAVE DONE, and should contain an expression of your purpose for being in business, a reflection of your values as you conduct your business, and the outcomes you desire.

Put a lot of time and effort into your vision statement because it will guide every business or even personal decision you make, maybe for the rest of your life.  Get it right.  Revise and improve it as much as you can.

Avoid words and phrases that sound great but don't have any meaning.  Be specific, but brief.

A good vision statement will guide your business decisions, provide clarity in focus, and most importantly keep you motivated through the inevitable rough stretches of your journey.

So, a few guidelines before you get started:

1 No Fluff!  Use the same language that you speak with.

2 Shorter is often more powerful, but there truly is no right length.

3 Use the proper tense of speech to indicate your vision is already accomplished.  (i.e; "I am wealthy and successful in both temporal and spiritual blessings" is far more powerful than "I will be wealthy and successful in both temporal and spiritual blessings")

4 Be specific; use names, dates, exact places whenever you can.

5 The surest way to make your vision statement powerful and effective is use feeling words.  Include the emotions that will be experienced by you and others around you in the process as a result of accomplishing your vision.

MY PERSONAL VISION STATEMENT

I have overcome the moster of debt, stress, and worldly concerns.

My time is consumed with service to my family, service to my fellowman, and service to my God.

I help ease people's worries and sorrows.  I share hope and solutions, brighten people's lives and make this world a better place.

I have no worldly concerns because the universe is abundance and supplies all my needs.

I have happiness.  I am happiness, and I share it with others.

My children left our home with a foundation for temporal and spiritual success and they put it into action every day.

Denise and I have travelled to Australia, Germany, and countries in Africa.  We look forward to many more service giving adventures around the world.

My friends and family look on me with admiration and trust.

I am a leader in my community and serve with my truest heart.

There's a wide range of what could go into an effective vision statement.  You'll know yours is right when you feel it click for you.  An internal "yes" saying that the statement expresses WHO YOU ARE and creates the feeling of having already accomplished what you are setting out to do.