Create the Vision for Your Life Today

“See your dream life in your mind first, then make a plan to get it.” - Dr. Teresa Woolard

Introduction:

You've probably heard that you can only get where you want to be if you know where you're going. This short-but-sweet statement is as true now as the first time it was said. So how do you come to know where you're going, so you can get where you want to be? 

To start with, goals are crucial.

When we set goals, what we're really trying to do is to bring each piece of our lives in line with our overall vision for ourselves.

Using a powerful vision-setting process can help you set more effective goals. You can actually chart a course that will take you toward and support your vision. I cover this process in depth in my book, Dig. Leap. Play: The Pet Lover’s Guide to Discovering Your Gift, Achieving Your Dreams, and Experiencing Joy, launching this June!

Not only are you guided to set goals, but ones that are aligned to your strengths, values, mission, and passions. Doing so unlocks the power of purpose-driven action!

When your pursuits are fueled by personal significance, your journey towards goal attainment becomes not just achievable but enriched with motivation. Engage in a quest that truly resonates and watch how the pathway to success transforms from a daunting endeavor to an inspiring adventure. Embrace a goal-chasing experience that’s not only easier but deeply meaningful, both in its pursuit and its rewarding culmination.

Do you have a vision for each segment of your life? Do you know where you're headed spiritually, socially, relationally, physically, financially, and more?

Use this process to help you create a vision that works for you:

1. Write down your vision for a particular aspect of your life. Write a couple of paragraphs describing what you'd like to have or be. There's no right or wrong. In fact, you probably won't precisely articulate your dreams the very first time you try the exercise. A reasonable guess is a good place to start. But it’s also okay to dream; in fact, DREAM BIG!

• In writing your vision, avoid focusing on what you don’t want, because this will only bring about more of that. Turn your back on negativity and focus on what you do want to bring about.
  
  

• For example, if you want more money: Avoid wording your statement like: “I don’t want to be poor anymore.” Instead, envision what it would be like to be rich, which is what you want, and write about what that would be like for you and how would that make you feel.
  
  

• Although you may feel challenged when first learning to focus on what you want, it gets easier. Plus, the rewards are spectacular when you can do it consistently. You'll start to notice that your life seems as if you can change it at will, which you can.

2. Visualize. Read your vision statement 2-3 times a day and imagine that aspect of your life matching your vision perfectly. How does your vision make you feel? Are you really excited and enthusiastic? Is it appealing to you on all levels? This shouldn't take more than 60 seconds to do each time. If you can say some positive affirmations while visualizing, it’s even more impactful. Affirmations like, "I am unique," or "I am a confident speaker."

3. Refine. If you feel really good about your vision, that's great. If not, now is the time to make some alterations. Continue refining the image of your dream life until doing your visualization feels spectacular. Visualize how you will be feeling if it were truly happening. Rewrite each new version.

• At this point, you may be wondering when will this process ever end. Fortunately, it never ends. Your vision will forever be changing throughout your life, which is good, since your desires (and sometimes your values) will also change over time. 

4. Review your vision daily and ensure that it continues to attract you. This will rapidly usher change into your life. In turn, these changes will demonstrate that you're actually moving towards that vision.
   
   

5. Create separate vision statements for all the areas of your life. Consider your finances, relationships, adventure, health, social life, and spirituality. If you can get all these visions to look just the way you want, imagine what your life will look like!

Why Spend Time on This Process?

Consider all the things you do every day. Everything you do is either helping you reach your vision or helping someone else reach theirs. Wouldn’t you rather help yourself reach yours? Be open to opportunities that present themselves to you and that excite you. If it/they are aligned to your goals, vision, values and strengths, then go for it. 

Creating a vision is the first step to creating the life you desire.

Tweak your visions a couple of times a day and really focus on the experience of living that vision. This gets easier all the time, because imagining something enjoyable is pleasurable in itself. 

Don't hesitate; create your visions today. Then, start reviewing and improving them immediately. Your life will change rapidly for the better. You'll then be spending your time making your own visions a reality instead of making someone else's dream come true.

To get help with your vision and to put a plan in place, sign up to be notified when my book launches, go to Books by Dr. Teresa Woolard (drteresawoolard.com).