Everyone needs a vision for their life. Not only that, but every part of our lives should have a vision -our marriages, our finances, our businesses, our family, etc. These areas of our lives need direction for where they are going. It is important to have a vision in order to see what is not yet here, then work towards it as if it were.
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18)
Ok, so what is vision? When I speak about vision, I am not talking about sight. "Sight is the matter of the eyes, but vision is the matter of the heart." Not everyone that sees has vision.
Vision is a long-term idea or plan that clarifies your future. Everything around us is a product of a vision. You will either work towards your own or you’ll end up working towards someone else’s.
Vision can also be described as “a mental picture of a future state forceful enough to mold your present.” This concept can help push us to provide solutions to problems with the expectation of change.
So why is having a vision for your life so important?
• It helps you know where you are going.
Typically, people don’t leave their house unless they know where they are going. When you think of icons like Oprah, Bill Gates, or Serena Williams, you can tell they knew what they wanted. Because of this, they knew which roads would lead them there, and inevitability, the roads that wouldn't.
Vision helps you to narrow your voyage. Vision helps drive you toward the path you believe will help bring you the outcome you are seeking. Vision can help you see your destiny, even when you haven’t arrived at your current destination.
“If you don’t know where you are going, more than likely, you’ll never get there.” Therefore, do you know where you are going?
• It helps you realize how you are going to get there.
There are many modes of transportation we can use to get somewhere -bicycles, cars, buses, trains, or planes. Each mode works in the context of what is needed. If I wanted to go to the grocery store, I would use my car. If I needed to get somewhere a little further, like New York, I would use a plane.
Where I am going determines what method I will use to get there. Once you have a vision for your life, you should be able to identify how will you obtain it. This can be in the form of a mission or goal. A mission or mission statement is the “how to” of your vision.
Before a soldier carries out an assignment, they are usually briefed on the mission. The mission is the strategy they will use to complete their task. Therefore, as you are writing your vision, how might you get to this place that is there (the future) while you are still here (the present)?
• It helps you know what you need.
Before packing for any trip, you assess what items you might need while you travel. I wouldn’t pack sweaters for a trip to the Bahamas, just like I wouldn’t pack bathing suits for a trip to Alaska. Knowing what your vision is helps you know what you will need to get there.
When I had a vision to begin my blog, I had to look up what tools I might need to even start. Such as, domain name, hosting site, and a design concept. I researched all the tools I needed for where I was going. Likewise, do you know what you will need for the vision that you have?
Once you know where you are going, how to get there, and what’s needed to get there, this can help you avoid repeating past mistakes. People who are stuck in cycles are a people without vision. They can’t see past their situation and believe what they see is what they get. But remember, “sight is the matter of the eyes, but vision is the matter of the heart."
A vision keeps you focused on the future to come. It is important to have a vision for your life to give your life order, discipline, and purpose. Everything you do will always reflect the vision you have for yourself and the various aspects of your life. Your success in life relies on whether you have a vision and what that vision is. With that in mind, what is your vision?
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