At this time of year, many people earnestly set New Year's resolutions. A month from now, they start chastising themselves for not making any progress on their promises. And three months later, those noble intentions are totally forgotten. This is because resolutions don't work! Resolutions are based on things you 'should' do; not on choices you are inspired to make. This year try something different. Instead of doomed resolutions, create a personal vision. A life vision is about allowing your true self to emerge. It is not about fixing or changing who you are, but rather expanding your life's expression of the real you. A vision is what your wiser authentic self desires for you. Creating a vision for the New Year is like choosing a catchy theme song. It needs to be an expression of both who you are now and the person you want to become. It is not another goal to add to your to-do list, but rather a guiding image that will draw you forward, inspiring you to stretch and grow.
Here is a visualization and journaling exercise to help get you started. Create a comfortable quite, harmonious time and space for reflection. Perhaps you want to light some candles or build a cozy fire, or put on some soothing, background music. Get settled, and focus on your breath, slowly inhale pure, healing air and exhale all worry and stress. Imagine that you have fast forwarded in time and it is now Dec 30th, 2008, the end of an amazing year full of inner growth. You have truly accomplished all that you wanted to achieve both personally and professionally. Take time to savor how this feels to have fulfilled your dream. You have reached a pinnacle in your life. From this summit, you can look out over whole valley and see the path you traveled throughout the year. Take a moment to enjoy the view. Now looking down the path you traveled, reflect on each step of the journey and all that you accomplished. Acknowledge each growth spurt and the satisfaction of every small achievement. Take your time, and give thanks for everything that made this moment possible. Think back to the beginning of 2008 and how this whole journey started with just a seed of inspiration, one determined thought that began with the words, "Now is it time for me to become ..." Reclaim and declare that intention. Shout it from the mountain top and listen to it echoing through out the valley, Now take two or three deep breaths and return to the present. Open your journal and write down the words you shouted on top your mountain. Describe the highlights of your visualization. Now create a short phrase or simply one word that captures the spirit of your visualization. Have fun with it, make this is the title for your 2008 theme song. Once you have selected your theme, put little reminders around your home or office. It might be the actual words or a symbolic object. You might even want to create a little tune that you can whistle or hum to yourself.
With this simple exercise you have created a personal vision for 2008, and you have an experiential memory of its fulfillment. Throughout the year, ask yourself, "What can I do today to move toward my vision?" With every decision ask, "Is this in alignment with my vision?" Or with each choice, ask "Is this an expression of my true self." Most of all enjoy the journey, let each step determine the next, and always remember the glorious view from the mountain top.
Copyright (c) 2008 Karin Marcus
Personal Vision Statement Examples
Motivation can take you far, but it can take you even further if you first find your vision. Your vision will motivate and guide you on your journey to success and personal fullfillment. Trying to succeed at anything without first having a clear vision of what it is you want to accomplish will only lead to you going around in circles and eventually giving up in frustration.
To develop your vision, you must look inside yourself. Vision comes from within, from the spirit or subconscious, whatever you choose to call it. Every one has a vision that is uniquely their own, and you are no different. the hard part comes in understanding your personal vision and how it applies to your personal motivation plan.
Your vision will most likely not come suddenly like some bolt of lightning out of the sky. Instead, it will grow from your experiences, talents, dreams, and desires, so don't try to rush it. Instead, keep your motivation and allow your vision to reveal itself through you.
Here are five steps you can use to effectively find your vision:
1. Learn to listen to your inner voice. Since your vision starts from inside you, you should learn to listen and feel what your mind and heart truly desire. What stirs you? What is your greatest desire? What kind of dreams do you have? If what you think you want does not really come from the inner depths of your heart and soul, then you will find it difficult, if not impossible, to not give up before you achieve it.
2. Prepare yourself mentally. Your vision begins in your mind and heart. It is something that burns within your soul. it should be greater than your all of your past memories, mistakes, and accomplishments. If you know what your vision is, you will have a purpose and won't get lost on your journey. Discouragement is the outcome of not having a ditinct vision. If you don't know where you're going or how to get there, the journey will seem a lot
longer and harder.
In order to seek your vision, retreat to a quiet and tranquil place, a place that will allow your mind to think creatively and concentrate on your vision.
3. Seek out other motivated vision seekers. Greatness breeds greatness, and it is for this reason that you should seek out the company of others who can appreciate and support your vision. Hang with the winners and it will keep your motivation high.
4. Keep a notebook and pen handy. All too often, when seeking a vision, it is easy to forget that it is 90 percent inspiration, as American inventor Thomas Edison said. With that in mind, you never know when your vision is going to come to fruition, so keep a small notebook with you at all times, even on your nightstand when you sleep, and write down whatever comes to mind, no matter how silly it seems at the time. You may write down a hundred crazy ideas but number one hundred and one just might be the vision you were searching for. Don't try to edit right now, just write down everything that comes to mind.
5. Don't try to fully understand your vision. The vision you are seeking will most likely come to you in ways that you won't fully understand at the moment. That's okay. Just follow as much of your vision as you can right now, and more will be revealed to you as time goes on.
All truly successful people have a vision that they follow, no matter what challenges they may face, to it's eventual outcome. Begin following the above steps to seek your vision today and remember that true, lasting success will never come to you until you know what your vision is and how you will follow it. And you will be unstoppable if you combine your personal vision with a healthy dose of motivation.
Both Karin Marcus & Ken Harness are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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