)Not many productivity systems encourage writing vision statements. Many top down systems speak of connecting with who you are; finding your spiritual center, your values, and relationships which are important. These are the pieces of the mission statement. When you work on your vision statement you are extending yourself into the future and writing about the person you want to become.
How to Create a Vision Statement
The easiest way I know to create a vision statement is to first create a mission statement. The mission statement tells us who we are, and lays out the path to who we want to become. Look at your mission statement and write a few sentences to paragraphs describing the person you will become if you accomplish everything in your mission statement.
Why Create a Vision Statement
Vision statements allow us to visualize who we want to become. Visualizing who we want to become gives us the chance to verify that our mission statement, values, relationships, and spiritual center are in alignment with who we want to be. If your vision statement does not feel right then it is time to change your vision statement.
Using a Vision Statement
A vision statement should be short enough that it can be remembered. Let it run through your mind regularly. This will allow you to remember your path. When distractions come up, or you are tempted away from your path use your vision statement as a way to remember and to make better choices.
The Vision Statement in the Weekly Review
During the weekly review ask yourself:
- What challenges did I face?
- What obstacles did I overcome?
Use your vision statement as a lens for answering these questions. What obstacles did your vision statement help you to overcome? What challenges did you have strength from remembering who you desire to become.
The Vision Statement in the Weekly Planning Cycle
During the weekly planning cycle as you add items to accomplish think of your vision statement and decide if the projects, and goals you are working on help you reach your goal for growth set out in your vision statement.
Your vision statement is a powerful tool to help you achieve a path of growth. It should be short enough to stay with you, but encapsulate who you want to be. As you grow your goals may change. Take time regularly to review your vision statement, and update, or change it if you need to.