Create Your Vision

Welcome to 2017. This is an exciting time because BFE and I are undergoing some wonderful new changes in this year! To make this all possible, I had to really sit down and map out the experiences that I hope to enjoy and celebrate in this year. In doing this, I found myself exploring goals and visions for me, my profession and business, and my son.
​
Goal setting is an important process in life that we take to help us propel forward in our own purpose and development. As we navigate through various life stages, we grow in our understanding of the importance of goal setting. Moreover we also learn how to set goals to accomplish and achieve great things in our life.

Children may set goals related to learning to ride a bike, and they have hopes of who they would become as “grown-ups.” They have not yet come to realize exactly how they can achieve their goals, but they are beginning to think about them. You may find them focused on activities or desiring toys and symbols that may represent their tiny dreams and desires. For instance, as a child (and presently) one of my goals was to become college professor. I used to play with my dolls as if they were in a classroom setting. I had a cork board on my wall that I posted articles and pictures like the bulletin boards at my elementary school. My son, desires to become a master builder (in adult language – an engineer), conductor, and a pilot…depends on the day. He loves Legos, trains, and airplanes. A goal that he has set for himself, with beginning kindergarten, was learning to read. He knows that part of knowing how to read is learning his sight words and writing. He has a little notebook that he writes in nearly every to practice his phonetic spelling, and he looks familiar words in books and print material (magazines, junk mail, and my text messages!)

Of course as adults our goals and desires mature. Many of us have come to a point in life where we have goals that we can focus on and visualize our future self. This process helps you to better connect with your inner desires, and gives you the motivational energy to reach success. But there are also the challenges that we have in riding that motivation wave. This especially happens with resolutions at the beginning of the year. We get rejuvenated with the new year and identify our intentions to seek changes in our habits and lifestyles. We get excited and work like crazy, and then that initial excitement wanes, and by March we have kicked that new diet and cancelled our monthly membership to the gym!

However, there is success in sticking to and maintaining goals when you create a visual representation of what you envision for your life in the upcoming year, and also stick to having a written plan of how you wish to achieve these goals. In fact, creating a Vision Board, allows you to define and clarify your aspiration, reinforce them, and keep your intentions focused. Taking your vision a step forward in developing your tasks to completion will help you achieve your goals. The more specific and focused on your plan, the more likely you are to succeed.

It’s not enough to just create the Vision Board, however. You also need to take time change your routine, and surround yourself with your vision to hold you accountable. That means, keeping a reminder of your goals and aspirations, posting your vision board in a highly visible place in your home, taking a picture of it on your phone, or connecting with a friend who will hold you accountable to your goals. Your vision board should serve as a constant reminder of where you intend to be as the year progresses.

What is also important is making sure that you surround yourself with knowledgeable people, or experts, in the areas for which you desire. For instance, a goal of mine this year is to publish a book that focuses on my triumphs and challenges of being a single parent, and how I continue to reject the stereotypes to lead a happily and fulfilling life. Because that is my goal and my vision, I will make it a point to connect with publishers and editors, to join writing groups, research my content area, and commit to writing daily. I have already linked with other aspiring writers to hold me accountable to this goal.

Creating your vision board can be fun and exciting, and an activity that can be enjoyed by everyone in your family and shared among your friends. Moreover, as a Coach, I have found vision boards to be highly effective for couples to explore their current goals and evaluating how these goals align with each other’s future. It is a great way to communicate and get to know each other in a deeper manner.

Are You Ready to Create Your Vision?