Write the vision...

 Lots of people talk about vision.  The word is used in the Bible.  Great conquerors and statesmen harnessed vision to change geography and philosophy.  Business people at conferences and around board room tables remind their colleagues and staff about the vision of their company to keep them on track to gain profits.  But what about personal vision?  How does that word fit into one's daily experience?

For me, vision has always been something grandiose and far off...a hazy image of the conglomeration of one's desires, dreams and highest aspirations.  But now, I understand that in order to come anywhere close to that distant horizon, I must have a close-up, day to day view of who I am and want to be. Looking too far into the future is a mistake that caused me to escape living in today.  So, I have a far off vision to be healthy and prosperous, but what would that look like if I were healthy and prosperous TODAY?  This is what must drive my future accomplishments.

In cosmetology school, when learning how to do updo's, my instructor admonished, "First deconstruct, then reconstruct."  In other words, look at a picture of the hairstyle.  Mentally pull it apart last to first, piece by piece, then mentally put it back together.  Now, you can create that style on a mannequin or a person.  It's the same with vision.  Look at the picture of what your life should be.  Break it down, last to first, step by step.  Then put it back together and you will know exactly what steps to take to make the vision a reality.

You have to get specific.  I'm not talking about pounds and dollars here, although it's good to have those numbers as guideposts, but I'm talking about states of being, feelings. "Lose weight" is too broad a picture. "Be slim enough to be able to sit comfortably in an airplane seat by the time I leave for vacation"  is a specific picture that's tied to an emotion.

This was me.

The last trip I took before Puerto Rico was to Houston, TX.  I had to use a seat belt extension on the plane. I tried to hide the fact that the seat belt wouldn't fit around me, but the flight attendant busted me.  I don't think I felt as embarrassed as I felt disappointment in myself.  I vowed then that I would NEVER have to use one of those things again.  Two weeks ago, I fulfilled that vow.  I strapped that seat belt on and had four inches left over!

I had to work backwards to go forward.  For several years, I've stated to myself and loved ones, "I cannot be in the same place next year that I am this year."  This is the first year that that statement has been realized. That statement is too broad for next year.  Today, I will be writing my vision for myself this week, in 6 mos and in 1 year. Write your vision.  Make it plain.  Then run with it. Let me know how it goes.