Today I want to discuss why you need to have a vision for your life. We will touch upon the importance of following your vision as opposed to society. Then I will give you the 6 steps required that will set you on your journey.
But first, some context.
3 years ago I started work as an Occupational Therapist. It was a permanent position for a Government Hospital, so that means I had the job for life if I wanted it.
I was getting paid 6 figures and was progressing each year. By any standards, this is something that most people will be comfortable with.
If I am being honest with you all, I actually loved my job. Helping people is my passion in life.
I was extremely grateful to be able to get paid for what I love to do every day.
But I couldn’t understand why I felt so much discontent. I remember sitting in my office chair, staring at the clock, waiting for it to strike 4 pm so I could go home.
I thought to myself — “Is this really my life now for the next 30 years?”
I looked into my future and did not like what I saw.
I still remember the nauseous feeling it gave me.
I felt trapped.
I knew that there was more to life than working 8 hours a day for the next 30 years.
I wanted to have more freedom in my life. Be able to choose the hours I work. Work on projects that were fulfilling and meaningful.
I knew what life was ahead of me If I were to continue working the same job.
So I needed to create a vision for my life.
A vision that inspired me. A vision that pushed me to be better. A vision that gave me clarity on the direction that I wanted to go in my life.
I knew it would take time, but the end result would be worth it.
Fast forward to today and my life has changed forever.
I now have my own Occupational Therapy Business.
I chose the hours I work.
I had the time to start an Online Coaching business.
I am not living a life aligned with my purpose.
I wake up inspired every day working towards the vision I want for my life.
Having a noble vision for their life serves as a compass that provides direction and protects you from the pitfalls of nihilism and aimlessness.
Without a clear sense of direction, it is easy to become distracted by the sheer volume of choices and distractions in today’s world.
This only leads to feelings of despair, anxiety, resentment, and depression.
Having a vision for your life gives you a sense of purpose, direction, and hope.
It allows you to pursue meaningful goals that align with your values and aspirations.
It enables you to filter out the noise and focus on the choices that truly matter.
You live a life with a greater sense of happiness, fulfillment, and purpose.
Now, let's dive in and you can create a vision for your life:
#1 Develop Self-Awareness:
Self-awareness is the ability to look introspectively. It involves taking the time to explore your own thoughts, feelings, and desires.
Reflect on your values, beliefs, strengths, and weaknesses. Explore your curiosities and passions.
Being able to look back at your past experiences, both successes and failures, to gain insight into what truly matters to you.
Self-awareness is crucial in laying the foundation for a vision that is both meaningful and achievable.
#2 Identify your Values:
Values are the ultimate driver of human behaviour.
Your life is governed by a hierarchy of values from what you deem most important to least important.
Identifying your highest values enables you to prioritise your goals and aspirations. It allows you to create a vision that reflects what genuinely matters to you.
When you focus on what is truly significant, you allocate your time, energy, and resources more effectively.
When you understand your values it allows you to create a vision that aligns with your authentic self, rather than living through society's values.
#3 Set Goals:
Human beings are biologically goal-seeking creatures. We are wired to be able to set our sights on a target and aim toward that direction.
The same principle applies to your life.
If you don't have a clear expectation of the direction you want to go then you will be aimlessly wandering.
It is like going on a road trip and not knowing the destination. Feelings of uncertainty and unease will arise when you are not sure where you are going.
The same is for your life.
Setting clear and specific goals of what is it you want in life is essential to fulfilling your life’s work.
Set a goal that scares you, a goal that is not impossible to achieve but pushes you enough to bring out the best version of yourself.
#4 Break Down the Goal into Smaller Steps
“The Journey of 10,000 miles begins with the first step” - Lao Tzu
Mount Everest always looks the tallest when you are at the base. Large goals always seem overwhelming at first.
Instead of focusing on what it is like at the peak, break it down into smaller, more manageable steps.
Create a roadmap that outlines the steps you need to take to reach your ultimate goals.
By setting these smaller goals, you can focus on each step at a time, making progress without feeling overwhelmed by the long climb ahead.
#5 Create Daily Routines & Habits :
If you don’t fill your day with high-priority actions you will fill it with low-priority distractions.
Where you put your focus your attention follows.
Where attention goes, energy flows.
This is crucial.
You need to be able to direct your energy toward the tasks that are going to move the lever.
What this means is that you need to get specific on what habits are going to move you forward the most in the direction you seek to go.
The way you do that is by creating systems that make it easier for you to complete the work.
Write a list of the most important tasks of the day that need completing. Schedule those tasks at the start of your day.
1% improvement each day leads to 365% improvements over a year. Consistency is key.
#6 Take Action:
Nothing changes unless you change.
Without action, your dream life is just that. A dream.
You are responsible for your own life, no one is coming to save you. No one is coming to create the vision you have for your life.
Take action when you feel scared.
Take action when you feel like you are not ready.
Take action when you think you are going to fail.
Embrace the challenges that come with conquering the vision for your life.
When you take action toward your goals, you create an opportunity for feedback.
Positive or negative, it is essential to help you understand what’s working or not.
It allows you to iterate.
By refining your vision, overcoming obstacles, building momentum, embracing change, and striving for mastery, you begin to make steady progress toward your goals and bring your vision to life.
Conquer the Vision for Your Life.
I wish you all well on the journey.
Until next week.
Stefan.
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