There’s no hard-and-fast rule that says we have to have life “all figured out” by a certain age. Many people cast new visions and achieve new goals in the second half of their lives! Let’s talk about how to create a vision (using goal-setting as the framework), no matter how old you are.
Difference Between Goals & Vision
At first glance, both vision and goals seem to be the same thing. However, they are pretty different. A vision is the overall idea of how you want your life to go. Goals are the smaller steps that need to be accomplished in order for you to achieve that vision.
According to Indeed, “Vision is the ability to imagine and think of the future with insight. It also refers to the purpose that a person visualizes without knowing how to achieve it.”
Long story short, goals are the tangible steps you take to achieve your greater vision.
Identify Your Brand
Just as in marketing, we all have personal brands. To make the most of your personal brand, you have to identify what makes you who you are and who you want to become.
When thinking about your vision, you have to take into account your passions, strengths, personality, and moral stances. For example, if it is your lifelong dream to launch a business but you dislike taking risks, it is best to reevaluate.
Self-awareness is an imperative aspect of creating your vision. Your vision should capitalize on the foundation of who you are and what you love!
Create a Vision Board
Now that you have done some self-reflection and created an inventory of who you are and what you want, make it visual. Creating a vision board helps draw out themes and pinpoint those areas that energize you.
Whether electronic or hard copy, designing and then consistently consulting this board can ensure that you are staying on track for your vision. Looking at your vision board periodically is a great way to “reset” when you’re feeling off track.
Plan with the End in Mind
Once your vision board has been created, it is time to start planning backward. You know where you want to get, but what steps are necessary to get you there?
Acknowledging the items that you need to accomplish is where you start setting your goals. Manageable steps ensure that you have fewer obstacles to achieving your dreams. You can be confident in knowing that you are on the path to making your vision come to life.
Continue to Evaluate and Align
As you work towards your vision and check off your goals to get there, you should also continue to evaluate your progress to ensure you are not wasting your energy. If you want some help to realign your vision and set the goals you need to get there, reach out! I’ve helped many people, just like you, gain clarity and realign themselves to live their best lives - at any age.