Creating a Compelling Vision, Part 3

Describe Your Vision in the Present Tense
Describe your vision statement in present tense as if you were reporting what you actually see, hear, think and feel after your ideal outcome was realized. There is a metaphysical belief that “what you think about you bring about.” If this is true, then when you vision things in the future, you are creating a “someday reality.” You want to create your vision as if it is already a part of your life, and create the mental field that you would be experiencing if that were your current reality. Your vision statement should describe how you will feel when the outcome is realized. Including an emotional payoff in your vision statement infuses it with passion and will make it even more compelling, inspiring, and energizing. It is a powerful practice, and may serve to hasten your vision to reality.

Inner vs. Outer Vision
When creating vision statements it is often useful to separate the inner and outer aspects. This is particularly true for vision statements related to your life areas, and less important for project/goal vision statements.
One's vision partially refers to one's doing – such as work, accomplishments, travel, contributions and so on. One's vision should also include elements referring to your internal world of consciousness, thoughts, emotions, clarity, attitudes and beliefs.

Updating Your Vision
My personal preference is to review vision statements at least once a month, but at least once per quarter. You can also review them whenever you need inspiration or an energy recharge. During the monthly review, one will find it beneficial to check one's monthly goals in relation to one's vision. Is your time focused on elements of your vision? Are you behaving in a way that is consistent with the manifestation of your vision for your life?
You will find that your vision can remain consistent with what you want for a long time, and other times you have a rapid phase of growth and development and rewrite your statement from scratch. That is fine. Your vision is an organic document that will grow and change as you do.

Summary
Creating one's personal vision is an empowering element of one's life, and central to the development of your Life Design. Spend time with it, discuss it with your spouse or partner and close friends. You want to incorporate those closest to you as you develop your vision. Have fun with this process and recognize the power you have in creating the life you were born to lead filled with joy, accomplishment, contribution and love.