Great success stories start with a clear, dynamic,
compelling vision that pulls you forward, even on those days when
you would rather sleep in (or when taking action just feels too darn
difficult).
But what exactly IS that vision?
Too many business owners float along, believing
they do have a vision, when in reality, they don't. For example: "I
want to make a difference for people in their lives" is not a
vision. In fact, it's nothing more than a nice, altruistic vague idea.
Sorry for the tough talk on this but if you REALLY do want to make
a difference in peoples' lives then your vision must be sharp, clear
and galvanizing!
Another example I often hear sounds like this, "I
want to get more people on my newsletter list." Again, this is
nothing more than a vaguely expressed minor goal.
Here are 6 steps to get your vision into
focus and into your heart:
Note: this is an excerpt from my propriety Vivid Vision
TM NLP
process I designed and have used exclusively for my HorseWise Brilliance
Unbridled and upcoming Platinum Inner Circle clients.
Vivid Vision
TMStep #1 Clearly explain your
"what"
Your Vivid Vision MUST clearly state WHAT you are motivated to achieve.
So instead of the fluffy "I want to make a difference" statement,
think in terms of something definitive and with a specific time frame
attached to it.
President Kennedy's brilliant and bold vision was
to "put a man on the moon and bring him home again before the
decade was out." Voiced in 1961, his vision was achieved a full
year earlier than predicted, in 1969.
If you're struggling with what to make as your vision,
let me ask you this, "What is it that you are absolutely, positively
passionate about achieving as if you're life depended on it and failure
was not an option?" Don't think too hard-your first thought
is probably your best thought!
Vivid Vision
TM Step #2 Feel a passionate "why"
To do its job of pulling you forward your Vivid Vision
TM must
have a passionate, compelling "why" behind it. Why is it
so important to you? Without a compelling "why" it's likely
you won't stay motivated and in action when the going gets a bit tough.
Your "why" is strongest if it's linked
to something in your personal life you value highly. For example,
for a long time I thought my Vivid Vision
TM was to make a million
dollars a year. Now I realize that is my goal, not my Vivid Vision
TM.
What tipped me off to this was seeing that what
I value most isn't money (although I love-and am very good at-making
it!). I had been experiencing a disconnect between what I thought
was the Vivid Vision
TM I was "supposed" to have, and
what I valued most. Naturally, that disconnect created a conflict
of interest.
Now I have a Vivid Vision
TM that is perfectly
in alignment with my deepest values. My goal of making one million
a year is one way of telling me if I'm on track with my Vivid Vision
TM.
The results since making this shift have been amazing! My income is
up by 40% in less than one year and headed towards an even higher
number before the year is out.
Vivid Vision
TMStep #3 Get a clear strategy
Think of your strategy as deciding your overall approach to seeing
your Vivid Vision fulfilled. Your strategy is not the detailed action
plan or steps you'll take. It's a higher level look at the basic direction
you plan on heading in.
Creating a clear strategy is where a lot of business
owners let their Vivid Vision
TM slip through their fingers. Please,
don't make this complicated or expect to know in advance that what
you choose is the "right" way. There is no right way; there
is only a way. Choose 2-3 ways (strategies) to achieve your Vivid
Vision
TM. Then you're ready to...
Vivid Vision
TMStep #4 Get into action
With your strategies clearly defined you're ready to start taking
action. Now, there will be days where your progress feels puny, obstacles
appear to be larger than life and you may be ready to chuck the whole
thing. Don't. Those are the days where staying focused and connected
with your Vivid Vision will inspire you to put one foot in front of
the other. And the days in between? Simple...do the same thing!
Vivid Vision
TMStep #5 Let the Law of Attraction
deliver the "how"
Uh-oh...now we get to the sticky part. This is the part where most
folks want to start figuring out how to make their Vivid Vision
TM
happen, but don't know how it's all going to work out, so they get
stuck, totally stalled in their tracks.
It's tempting, I admit, to want to start figuring
out the "how." My coaching request here is...don't. Every
time you feel yourself stuck, not in action or feeling confused here
is what you do: read your Vivid Vision
TM out loud. Look at your
vision board (more about that in a moment). Read your strategies out
loud. Then ask yourself, "What do I need to do to keep moving?"
Don't worry, if you're in action, so too, will the Universe be in
action on your behalf!
Vivid Vision
TMStep #6 Create a vision board
My husband, Richard, and I are planning on purchasing a bigger piece
of property and building a house and large horse facilities. We've
made an incredibly beautiful vision board that represents everything
we want, even down to the style of windows and doors!
If I feel discouraged about finding just the right
piece of land all I do is look at our vision board (it's hanging right
in front of my computer) and I immediately feel inspired, on track
and positive the right property is coming our way. Plus, creating
our vision board allowed us to get very specific and clear about what
we're looking for so we are in harmony with our vision (an important
point when you're co-creating with someone!).
You can use these six tips as your Vivid Vision
TM
checklist. Be sure you have ALL six steps clear and written down,
then enjoy having something that pulls you forward to success!
