There’s Hebrew wisdom that declares, “Without a vision, the people perish.” It’s the same concept that is sometimes parsed, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll likely end up somewhere else.”
Do you feel like you are walking through your life in the dark? That you have no clear vision or direction and that you are just going around in circles? Do you feel lost? If so, you are not alone. Most men feel like that at some point in their lives. Creating a vision statement can help. If you need direction, here are 10 ways to help set a vision for your life.
1. Work to resolve old wounds.
It’s difficult to embrace a new vision for your life while being hampered by old wounds that haven’t been tended to. Spend some time in introspection. Are you harboring resentment? Do you need to forgive someone? Are you hanging on to hurt that needs healing? Be honest about those feelings, seek out wise counsel, and start the restoration process so you can move on.
Seek out a vision for your life that makes the world better for others.2. Understand it’s not about you.
If you are like me you think highly of yourself and your importance. However, we are not the center of the universe. Seek out a vision for your life that makes the world better for others.
3. Explore your passion and talents.
Scottish Olympic runner Eric Liddell famously said, “God made me fast and when I run I feel His pleasure.” We were all made with God-given talents. What passions and talent do you have that will make you feel like Liddell when you use it? The time has come for you to give that gift to the world.
4. Spend time with people you admire.
Seek out people whose lives you admire. Ask them how they got where they are and why they do what they do. Perhaps even see if they would be willing to meet regularly.
5. Envision what you want your life to look like.
Think about an end goal. What do you want your life to look like? What type of man do you want to be? What do you want your family to look like? What would you like your career to be? Picture it and see it in vivid detail.
6. Don’t limit yourself.
Dream big. Don’t allow fear or a lack of confidence to shortchange your vision. If your vision doesn’t make you at least a little uncomfortable, then you probably aren’t dreaming big enough. It should be scary but also exciting.
7. Get feedback and buy-in from trusted sources.
Ask the people closest to you if your vision is on point, particularly your family. Make changes based on their feedback and make sure you get buy-in.
8. Write a mission statement and list action steps.
Think of a one sentence statement that encapsulates your vision. Write it down and put it somewhere you can see it. Then write down three-to-five action steps that you will focus on the next couple of months that will bring you closer to reaching your vision. When you have accomplished those action steps, come up with new ones.
9. Find accountability.
Seek out people that will encourage you and hold you accountable to stay on course. Ask them to press you on it.
10. Be flexible.
Be open to the fact that your vision may need to be changed or tweaked as time goes on and circumstances become different. Think of your vision as a living thing.
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What do you want people to say about the type of person you are?”