How to come up with a Vision statement?

Goalcrushers assumes you have at least one Vision statement towards which you are trying to steer your life- but, what if you do not have one? Creating one is a long, painful, but also very rewarding process, which in itself requires a lot of dedication and work – but, it is worth every single minute you are spending on it!

A personal vision statement is a summary of your ultimate goal and key attributes. It can keep you focused on long-term goals and help you set realistic short-term goals. Let’s see 4 alternative ways on how you can come up with one.

1. Reflect on your values and principles: Your values and principles are the foundation of your personal vision statement. They help you determine what you want to achieve in life and how you want to achieve it. To reflect on your values and principles, you can ask yourself the following questions:
   • What are the most important things in my life?What are my core beliefs and principles?What motivates me to get up in the morning?What do I want to be remembered for?
   Once you have answered these questions, you can use them to create your personal vision statement. For example, if you value creativity and innovation, your personal vision statement could be “To become a successful entrepreneur who uses creativity and innovation to make a positive impact on society.”
2. Identify your strengths: Knowing your strengths and how to apply them can make you a more desirable job candidate. To identify your strengths, you can ask yourself the following questions:
   • What am I good at?What do others say I am good at?What do I enjoy doing?
   Once you have identified your strengths, you can use them to create your personal vision statement. For example, if you are good at problem-solving and enjoy helping others, your personal vision statement could be “To become a successful consultant who helps businesses solve complex problems.”
3. Envision your future: Envisioning your future can help you create a personal vision statement that aligns with your long-term goals. To envision your future, you can ask yourself the following questions:
   • Where do I see myself in 5 years?What do I want to achieve in my career?What kind of lifestyle do I want to have?
   Once you have envisioned your future, you can use it to create your personal vision statement. For example, if you see yourself as a successful business owner who travels the world, your personal vision statement could be “To become a successful business owner who travels the world and makes a positive impact on society.”
4. Write a story: Writing a story can help you create a personal vision statement that is both inspiring and achievable. To write a story, you can follow these steps:
   • Imagine yourself in the future, living your ideal life. Write a detailed story about your life, including what you are doing, where you are, what you are feeling, what you are thinking, who is there, and what your environment looks like. Use your story to create your personal vision statement.
   For example, if your story is about becoming a successful author who inspires others, your personal vision statement could be “To become a successful author who inspires others to pursue their dreams.”

What’s next?

Now, if you look at these example vision statements, but if you are someone like me, then… Somehow they (most likely) seem off. It lacks the energy, the passion, the drive, the soul… That is, because they are just… A first iteration.

Now comes the hard part – the hazy, unclear statements needs to go through a purification and clarification process, that is to: Review it often (I recommend having a weekly goal in GC just for this topic for a couple of weeks, and some dedicated time each day to just look at your vision statement, think about what you like about it, what you don’t. What can you throw out? What is not specific enough?). After revision 5-6, most likely you start sensing some connection to it. That means, you are on the right track – just keep going! 🙂