“A Goal Without a Plan is Just a Wish”

The above quote is from the French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery and it is an important motto for anyone who wants to move themselves to a better life. You may have ideas about what you want to achieve in your future, but have you determined how you will achieve those goals? Have you mapped out a strategy? We often think of strategy as something for businesses and not for personal living, but without a strategic vision for your future, you’ll stay stuck in the world of ideas and inaction.

Change Your Body, Brains and Bliss by Creating a Vision for Your Future

The best way to move yourself to your best life is to remember this is your vision. Don’t worry about meeting someone else’s expectations or goals. Creating your vision begins with being honest about what you want out of your life and asking yourself serious questions about who you are as a person.

What Do You Really Want and Where are You Going?

You have the power to move yourself to a life that is healthy, vital, active and joyful.  The first step to this life is knowing where you are going. No matter where you are in life’s journey, whether you are a recent graduate, parent, business person or retiree, creating a vision for your future will motivate, inspire and direct your path. It’s time to get introspective and honest.  Remember, there are no wrong answers.

  • What are your abilities? What are you naturally good at?
  • What is your personality? Are you an extrovert or an introvert?
  • What skills have you acquired over the years?
  • What types of things interest you? What are you passionate about?
  • What do you value? Reputation, hard work, family time, quiet time, a strong body, a strong mind?
  • What did your last success look like?
  • When was the last time you were fit?
  • Are you happy? When was the last time you were truly happy?

Your answers to these questions will help you form your strategic vision for your future. It is up to you to pull the most important elements you want to carry with you into that future.

Cast Your Vision Statement

Putting your goals into a vision statement empowers you to make that vision a reality. The vision statement you cast does not have to be complicated. Here is a simple template: My mission is to use my [passion/abilities/positive personality traits] to achieve [goals] based on my [principles/values]. One of Dr. Vonda Wright’s early stabs at vision casting looked like this: “I will maximize my good hands and talent for teaching and communicating to change the paradigm of aging in this country.” Remember, the vision you cast does not have to be complicated or extensively detailed. Keep things broad but to the point.

Refine Your Vision

It takes time to work through all of our conscious and unconscious notions of what and who we should be.  Take some time to develop your vision. After you draft your first statement, sleep on it. Do you still feel the same way about your vision the next day? Talk your vision through with a loved one. Free-associate and see if this process uncovers a clearer direction. When you uncover the right vision for your life, you will know. The most important thing is to begin the process and start mapping out your future so that you can achieve your best life. Create your vision for your best life. Then tell us about it! Please share them in the comments, on our Facebook page or tweet us with the hashtag #GuideToThrive. For more information about how to achieve your best life, read Guide to Thrive.