Do you have a Vision Statement?? Why writing one can change your life.

At this time of the year, most of us are looking to wrapping up 2008 and beginning to look toward the new year after the holidays. The most important tool to guide you through this transition is a vision statement.

What am I talking about? A vision statement is a vivid, idealized description of the outcome that you want. Something that inspires ... energizes you, and helps you create a mental image of your target. My personal vision statement is short and sweet “TO LIVE THE POSSIBLE DREAM”, a positive spin on Don Quixote’s famous “Live the Impossible Dream”.

Some of you may be familiar with corporate mission statements or company mantras but all too often those come from the Ivory towers and are issued via memo. Vision statements are much more personal – the concept started from the grass roots and spread across the world by people who want to realize their own personal talents and ensure that their life matches their values.

USE TO ENHANCE YOUR LIFE...and visualize the future: A vision statement can be used to enhance any part of your life, like family or career. It could also be created to visualize a new home or a specific project.

Here are some tips for creating your own vision statement:

• Summarize your vision in a powerful statement (1-4 sentences)
• Make sure it stands the test of time (think ballpark vs. small details)
• Suspend disbelief—anything is possible!
• Follow up with ‘inspired action’ (specific steps toward your vision)
• Post it somewhere you can see it daily (and update it quarterly)
• Consider starting with a wish list or bucket list of your dreams.
• Start with a sentence or two and pare it down to a short phrase
• Pick a power word like freedom and craft your vision around that word.

Where to get your inspiration for your vision?

• Give a new spin to a classic song you love.
• Rearrange an advertising phrase to inspire you.
• See a favorite movie one more time.
• Refer to a favorite quotation
• Recite your favorite poem, it may offer a hint or two
• Once you craft your vision statement here are some ways to use it to inspire you to create your create your best possible holiday season and lead into a new year to remember.
• Post it where you can see it daily.
• Carry a copy of it in your wallet or handbag.
• Add it to your vision board.
• Print it on the back of your business cards.

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