We all know you can’t drive a car by simply starting it and jumping into the back seat, expecting it to take you where you would like to go. Yet, many of us do that with our lives. We have the car, we have the fuel, and we have the open road; however, we often fail to take hold of the wheel of life and drive forward to a destination with focus and purpose. I believe we have all been blessed with everything we need to have success in life; however, we still have to take action to get to where we need or want to be. Therefore, as you look toward the future, I challenge you to hone in on your true vision, establish and create a plan (personal mission statement) and “Take Charge” of moving your life forward, living up to your potential, and creating a larger vision for your life. It’s Never Too Late! Consider the following:
Having a Vision for Your Life
Most successful people will say that their road to success began with a vision. They applied their talents and resources to achieve their vision, or end in mind. Many of us find it somewhat difficult to be visionary. However, learning how to do so and then actually implementing that vision are vital and necessary skills that can and should be developed.
Many times a vision starts with a feeling, an idea, or a desired outcome for the future. Just think – many great athletes saw themselves winning a major sporting event when they were still children. Many entrepreneurs have turned simple inspirations into lucrative ventures.
Evaluating your talents, assessing the state of your life and constantly updating your skills are all important things that help you narrow down what your vision and purpose in life might be; and place you on the road to realizing it. Always, be patient as your vision may take time and is likely to change as you change. It is well know that “Change is constant – Growth is optional”. Always remember that your vision is a powerful beacon that can help guide and inspire you to get to where you want to go.
Having a Plan
Your vision is the very beginning – the seed. Before it can grow into something real, it needs to be established into a step-by-step format. This is where a plan comes in. Plans help you achieve your goals and make your vision a reality. Plans cost you very little up-front investment yet they can offer a tremendous lifetime return; especially when you consider that plans possess these outstanding attributes:
- It’s a stress reducer:
With a plan, you have direction. A plan is similar to having a GPS on a road trip to a place you have never been. Without it, you are likely to get lost; but with it, you will know you are on the right course. - It’s an ordering principle:
When you are faced with many options, goals, and opportunities, a plan helps you sort and prioritize them. - It’s a measuring tool:
You are unique, so comparing yourself with others to assess your progress is not effective. However, when you measure what you have done against your plan, you get a truer picture of where you are. - It’s flexible:
Circumstances change, goals change, and emphases shift. An effective plan can accommodate these changes. Re-evaluate your plan regularly in light of the changes, and don’t hesitate to rework your plan as necessary. - It makes you more effective:
With a plan to guide you, you can focus on what is important and eliminate the unimportant things that get in the way of you realizing your goals and dreams.
Motivate yourself and commit to living up to your potential and creating a larger vision for your life.
It’s Never Too Late to “Take Charge”!
Willie Johnson,
Performance Improvement & Training Consultant