Everything starts with an idea. Perhaps you want to start a business. Maybe you’re looking for greater fulfilment in your professional life. Or perhaps you have a creative project in mind that you’d love to share with the world. Whatever it is, it all begins with your vision.
Muhammad Ali once said: «Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them: a desire, a dream, a vision. You have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.» And one of the things that fuels that will is your vision.
Developing your vision is the first step in the first 12-week coaching programme.
Now that the January programme is halfway through, my participants have reminded me of a few things:
Developing a vision is difficult. It’s difficult because it requires us to reconnect with our core, our values and the deeper truths we often lose sight of in our busy everyday lives. But how do you dig deep within yourself? Ask yourself about the most fulfilling moments in your life. Recall moments of pure happiness. What was it that moved you deeply? Your answers can offer clues to the building blocks of your vision.
Talking about your vision raises your energy. I can see how much the participants enjoy sharing their visions and hearing about those of others. At first, they are cautious. But then something shifts: sharing and listening begin to release their energy. Every time I bring the virtual breakout sessions to a close and welcome everyone back to the main room, I see smiling faces. Should we talk more about our visions with our friends, family and the people closest to us?
Pictures speak louder than words. Powerful images trigger greater activity in the bilateral visual and medial temporal cortices than the processing of words. Strong, deeply rooted images in your mind help you unconsciously filter out relevant information amid the constant flood of input, bringing your vision closer to reality.
In short, embedding your goals within a broader vision helps sustain the energy you need to bring them to life. Have meaningful conversations. Share your vision with others and learn about the deep aspirations of the people around you. And join the next Focus Forward programme, starting on 3 May 2023, to do more than discover your vision: learn how to make it a reality with practical techniques and the support of your fellow participants.