What’s Your Vision for Your Life?

Here at the-Coaching Blog-run by Gerard O’Donovan, our aim is to constantly bring value to those seeking to improve their lives. Therefore we have a policy of publishing articles and materials by guest authors whom we value and appreciate. Today’s guest author is Ken Keis (Canada).

Vision:  Something seen in a dream; a thought, concept or object formed by the imagination; manifestation to the senses of something immaterial; the act or power of imagination; mode of seeing or conceiving; unusual discernment or foresight; the act or power of seeing

• Does your life reflect what you really want?
• Do you know what you really want?
• What is your vision for your life?

Here’s the kicker: Your life already reflects your vision for your life!

Why has Life Coaching become so popular? Because only 10% of the population believe they are living ‘On Purpose’!

This is one of the reasons I wrote my latest book, , so that any individual or coach working with an individual, has a step-by-step process to get clear about what is most important in their life.

Not having a vision means your vision for your life is not to have a vision. You are responsible for your current condition.

For a full year, I was focused on writing. After completing the project, I did not take the time to reset my vision and goals. That left me wandering and unfocused for a period of time. I really paid attention to the difference in my personal energy when I had direction and clarity compared to being unclear or confused. It is significant!

My purpose is to still to help others live, lead and work On Purpose! But now, it is unfolding in new ways, such as through my podcast, ‘Secrets of Success with Dr. Ken Keis’ new online courses, conducting training via live streaming onsite to our clients’ locations and even through webinars.

This phenomenon of losing direction is common in Olympic athletes, who spend years focused on their primary goal of participating in the Olympics. When they finish their final competition and have not yet established their next steps, they may feel despondent and even sink into depression.

The challenge for many individuals is that they focus on their current condition, not on what they want.

For example, if you are out of shape and all you can think about is how overweight you are, your vision for your future condition is that you are overweight. To get back on track, shift your vision from being overweight and out of shape to being healthy and slim.

Everyone needs to shift their focus from what they are, to what they want. In other words, create a new vision.

So, what about you?

Do you have a clear vision of what you want?

Perhaps you are struggling in your relationship with your partner. You are thinking negative thoughts about the situation. Well, don’t be surprised when you experience more of the same. You must change your thoughts and vision to reflect what you want—not what you have.

Some of you might argue with me and say, ‘That’s the reality of what’s going on in our relationship. I just can’t envision a healthy and loving relationship.’ Fine. Have your reality. But don’t blame anyone but yourself for it. (That advice comes from someone who has a lot of experience in that particular area.)

The purpose of having vision statements for all areas of your life is not just about getting what you want. It’s also about living a fully engaged and exciting life! Individuals with no vision have much less energy and passion for life. Why? Human beings need direction to feel fulfilled. Proverbs 29:18 states, ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish…’.

Technically, visions are not goals. Goals are created from visions. A vision is an active and on-going dream that you are striving to achieve.

• I can achieve a weight goal.
• My vision for my health and wellness never ends. It is ongoing… as long as I am alive.

I agree with the late Dr. Wayne Dyer in his book, Excuses Begone!, that people don’t get what they want—they get what and who they are. That means if you want a loving relationship, you need to be loving. You can’t act mean-spirited and expect to realise your vision of a healthy relationship.

Your vision must be congruent with your heart and your actions.

Vision is important for more than personal fulfilment. Families, teams and organizations need visions, too. In Jim Kouzes’ book, The Truth about Leadership, 1 of the 10 non-negotiable characteristics of successful leaders is that they provide a vision for their organisation. If the organisation does not know where it is going, any road will get it there.

Please review the Summary & Action Steps below, so you can start developing a vision statement in each main area of your life.

Action Steps

What’s Your Vision for Your Life?

1. Does your life reflect what you really want, or something else?
2. What is your vision in all areas of your life? I cited these 13 categories in my book, :

• Self
• Family
• Relatives
• Friends
• Learning
• Spirituality
• Public Policy
• Social Life
• Recreation
• Physical Health
• Community Service
• Financial
• Career/Calling

3. Outlines a step-by-step process for an individual or life coach to get clear and passionate about all areas of a person’s life.
4. If you are operating within a faith, use it to drive your vision statements.
5. Your vision statements should stir your excitement, inspiration and action. Pay attention to your emotional responses to your vision statements.
6. ‘But Ken, I don’t know what I want.’ What do you not want? Then think about the opposite.
7. The research is clear. Those who have a vision, dreams and goals will be far more successful than those who don’t.
8. The research further reveals that those with written vision statements and goals do much better than people who simply carry those ideas around in their heads.
9. Those who review their written visions on a daily basis are significantly more successful still. One study documented that everyone who wrote out and then read their vision statements daily all became millionaires. Where people put their focus every day bears fruit in their lives. That is not to suggest money is everyone’s goal. The power of focusing on a vision will help you achieve the results you want.
10. Take the time to write two to four sentences (vision statements) for each category noted in Step #2 above.
11. Clarify your values and style using CRG’s and  to help you make values-based decisions as you develop your vision statements.
12. Make your vision statements accessible. Place a copy by your bedside, in your office and in other convenient places for your review. Put them on your smartphone so you can read your visions anywhere and anytime. Read them on a daily basis.
13. Remember, it takes time to shift an image. As you reshape your thoughts and your focus, be patient. It is a redevelopment process. Some days, you will fall back into old thought patterns. Get over it and move on.
14. Start now. Every day you delay is a day without the power of your new focus. The greatest gift you can give yourself is to be completely engaged in your life—and inspiring others to do the same.

About Ken Keis

Dr. Ken Keis, is a foremost global authority on behavioural assessment strategies and processes, and an expert in leadership, purpose, and wellness. He has authored over 4 million words of content, including 500 articles, 4 books, and a dozen assessments to help others realize their full potential.

President and CEO of Consulting Resource Group International (CRG), Dr. Keis has worked with many high-profile companies, associations, and industry groups. In the past 30 years, Ken has conducted more than 3,000 presentations and 10,000 hours of coaching and consulting. He is a highly sought-after author, speaker, trainer, media guest and also host of The Secrets of Success Podcast with Dr. Ken Keis.

His latest books, Why Aren’t You More Like Me?, Deliberate Leadership, and The Quest For Purpose!

To learn more on how Ken or CRG can serve you go to www.kenkeis.com and www.crgleader.com