Let’s start off by defining what we mean by a “Vision”.
In the context of creating an inspiring plan for 2019, a Vision is a written description of what you intend to manifest in your life in the coming year. It seems so simple and obvious, but so few people take action on this fact:
You’ll never live a life that matters until you define what matters.
Defining what matters is the purpose of Vision. Yet only a handful of people actually take the time and energy necessary to develop a Vision for their lives.
Without a clear vision, you are so much more likely to falter and feel lost when the wind of change shakes your world. And let’s face it, we are living in the Age of Constant, Disruptive Changes.
So in an era such as ours, your Vision is not just an “intention”, but a lifeline that keeps you on track, constantly reminding you of what you stand for.
Ideally, your Vision is meaningful and aligned with your core values. It includes a description of the people, places, things and experiences you want to have over the coming year.
To make your Vision compelling, try passing it through this list of qualifiers:
- Does your Vision engage your heart AND your intellect?
- Does it invigorate you and provide the excitement to fuel your day-to-day efforts?
- Does it help you stay connected with your Big Why for your existence?
- Does it inform you of what actions need to take place in order to actualize it?
- Does it force you to step into a bigger version of yourself in order to manifest it?
While most people think of Vision as something you see in your mind’s eye as an image of what you’d like to manifest, it’s important that you actually write it down on paper.
Psychology professor Dr. Gail Matthews, at the Dominican University in California, led a study on goal-setting with 270 participants.
The results revealed that you are 42 percent more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down.
It makes total sense. Writing your goals down not only forces you to get clear on what exactly it is that you want to accomplish, but doing so plays a part in motivating you to complete the tasks necessary for your success.
The process of putting your goals on paper will force you to crystallize your ideas, ask important questions about your current progress, and to brainstorm your plan of attack.
So, it’s time to pull out your ENVISION 2018 Planner, and get to work! 
If you haven’t downloaded it yet, or are seeing this post for the first time, now worries, you can click here to grab it!
Before you do this exercise, I highly recommend you follow these tips:
Tip 1: Block off uninterrupted time to do your Vision-setting work!
The quality of the Vision is very much dependent on the quality of time you set aside to do this work. This is something you’re going to live your next year by, and possibly the next few years by, so let’s honor it by giving your self a block of quiet, uninterrupted time.
Turn off your social media and app notifications, your cell phone, and maybe even put your devices on Airplane mode so you won’t be tempted with distractions.
Do whatever it takes for you to stay focused on the process.
I love creating a retreat setting for myself when I do this process. This means I turn off my phone, play my favorite relaxing music, make myself a cup of my favorite mint tea, and clear things off my desk that clutters my mind. I give myself stretch breaks as needed, and do a deep dive. I love it!
Tip 2: Plug into some High-Frequency Energy
Take a moment to center yourself before beginning this vision crafting exercise. Refresh your posture, and take some deep breaths, and get grounded in your chair or whatever you are sitting on. Attune to the space between your eyebrows, and call forth your inner Visionary, who holds the vision of you living at your highest expression possible.
Open your heart and mind to all that is possible. Yes, go ahead and dream!
Ask the inner doubter and realist to take a back seat. We’ll consult with them later. Now is the time to take all the limiters off and open your being to What is Possible.
Next, focus in on all you are grateful for at this stage of your life.
What have you received this past year? What are you truly excited about as you ponder the year ahead?
From this place of gratitude for all you have, you activate your inner Alchemist and open up to the infinite possibilities that await you.
Now, you’re ready to dive into Crafting Your One-Year Vision for the New Year!
Go to page 13 of the ENVISION 2019 Guide, and enjoy the process!
But if you’re a person whose inner critic or doubter starts talking very loudly in your head as soon as you start to let yourself dream, read this very last tip to fortify yourself with some golden insights:
Tip 3: Keep the Inner Doubter At Bay
The very act of envisioning what’s possible through your Vision may trigger that nagging voice within us who snickers with cynicism when you write down your goals, roll his eyes when you decide to refresh your resolutions you have failed to keep in the past, or gasp when you declare that you’re going to achieve your grand Dream.
If you’re like me, this inner girl or guy has attitude and is not exactly pleasant company.
So what should you do with this part of your mind? You could tell it off and try to push it aside.
But if you do this, like an annoying guy who likes to pick a fight, it may get even louder and more obnoxious!
I’ve found that the fastest way to deal with this part of your mind is to listen to it. Yes, I allow myself to get curious about what it has to say about my Dreams.
I even have a section of my notebook dedicated to writing down the nagging thoughts the Doubter generates in my head! I label it “The Doubter’s Grievances” and I actually write down all the doubting, nagging, nay-saying thoughts that pop up in my head.
It seems counter-intuitive to write the negative thoughts down, but this really helps to quieten the Inner Critic and Inner Doubter.
Once they have the respect and attention they crave, they will shut up!
And you know what? Those negative thoughts actually are a great resource you can use to strategize your action steps later on, because it’s giving you your list of obstacles you may actually encounter.
So honor the Inner Doubter. He has important intel to for strategizing your step-by-step Journey.
Just don’t let him sit in the driver’s seat!
Understand that the Inner Doubter’s main motive is simply to keep you safe, and spare you the discomfort of growing pains.
You can thank the Inner Doubter for its good intentions, and capture its thoughts for later use.
Then invoke the Visionary Warrior within you – the part of you that is kick-ass awesome, doesn’t care what the world thinks, and enjoys the thrill of taking bold, inspired actions.
This is part of you that believes 1000% in living from Possibility, not the limitations of the past or present.
Remind yourself of your BIG WHY – the reason you wake up every morning, and take a moment to align your Visionary Warrior self with it on an emotional level.
All right, you Warrior, now you’re ready – you’ve got this!
Let’s dive into the Visioneering process that will light up your year like never before. Download the ENVISION 2019 Guide and get started on page 13!
I’d love to know what insights or aha’s you had from reading this article. What shifts did this article trigger in your envisioning process?
Let me know in the comments below!
