If I asked you what is your vision for your life and business for 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, would you know?
When I was asked this question at a seminar at the beginning of this year, I was surprised to find out I didn’t know. I thought I did know, but I didn’t. I had an idea, was committed to that idea and I was doing everything I needed to do to implement that idea (or so I thought). But I had no clear vision.
I wasn’t clear about myself, about the kind of relationships I wanted in my life and in my business. I wasn’t clear about what mattered most to me. I had no clear vision of the direction I wanted for my business. I had no clarity about how I could best serve my customers and audience…I HAD NO CLEAR VISION of my life and of my business.
So why having a vision is so important?
Simple: everything starts with a vision. No vision, no action, no results.
What separates your today from your tomorrow is a clear vision. More specifically, a vision that is so clear in your mind that you can precisely describe it in the minutest detail.
However, a vision without executing that vision will not take you anywhere. And to execute that vision you need a PLAN.
Most of us have a vision (or think we do, like in my case). But do you have a plan to attain it? Do you know the exact steps it will take for you to make that vision a reality? Have you ever deeply thought about it?
So once I realized that I needed a clear, detailed vision otherwise my business would have stayed there forever with no progress, I followed a 4-step system that has helped me make a leap in my business as well as in my life.
Here are the 4 steps:
1. Start with a Vision. View clearly in your mind what you desire and feel how it would be to be there already.
2. Add Clarity to your Vision. Define your vision down to the smallest detail. Write it down or create a vision board, whatever works for you. Add details and nuances every day until it really reflects what you viewed in your mind.
3. Make a Plan. Write down exactly how this vision is going to become a reality and what you need to make it a reality. Include the challenges and sacrifices you will face (these are inevitable, accept it!). Is there anything you should learn to achieve your vision? Do you you need to acquire new skills? Do you need to outsource some of the work or would it be better to hire somebody maybe for a few hours a week? What about hiring a coach, somebody who’s already been there and knows how you feel and the challenges, doubts, uncertainties you are facing now? Write down all the steps you need to make in the next 5 years, 2 years, 1 year, next month, next week, tomorrow and today.
4. Now Take Action. You will go nowhere if you don’t act. So take a deep breath and act: make that phone call, go to that networking event, make an appointment with the bank manager, do what you need to do, no matter how scary. You will also realize that some things within your plan are completely outside of reality, or not feasable or not appropriate for you. That’s good. It’s part of the game. But by attuning your mind and efforts towards your vision (combined with action), your vision will have a greater chances of becoming reality and you will be walking on your road to success.
Many people come here every week for inspiration and advice, so I encourage you to leave your comments below. Your insights may inspire and trigger a meaningful change for someone else.
Thank you for reading, whatching and sharing
To your success and prosperity
