Design your Future: How to Develop a Big Picture Vision

Photo by Stu Mayhew

Many people fall short in developing a truly grand vision that lives up to their potential. They may think, “I can settle for this,” “that would be too hard,” or “what if I fail?”

This is because they base what is possible on what they have been taught, and what they have seen others in their life accomplish.

Learning to grow a vision bigger than expected sets you up to do more than ordinary, and if you do fall short, you’ll fall short of greatness, not mediocrity.

A good place to begin growing a grand vision is to think about the most impressive creation in existence? Maybe it’s one of the Seven Wonders of the World, or a present technological advancement.

How were these magnificent structures or inventions created?

The very first step to the creation of anything in existence was by a mental vision from the creators mind. Someone had to see the creation in their mind before it was manifested into tangible reality. By realizing every human made thing in the external world was first a mental picture that was molded into physical form; we can start to recognize the basic human capability to create magnificent things. We all have this potential. We just need to tap into it.

“People only see what they are prepared to see.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Creating a vision is about developing a mental picture of what you want, and holding this image so it becomes clearer and clearer, until you can see intricate details.

What are you doing? What do you see, hear, and smell? Most importantly, how do you feel?

The more detail included in your vision the more direction and clarity you will have.

Your vision won’t be immediately apparent, but through reflection and contemplation, you will begin to see how you want yourself and coinciding situations to be, and it will become clearer how these circumstances can actually be achieved.

The more reflecting you do on an idea, the more all the pieces will begin to fall into place, and previously undeveloped ideas will start to mold into a cohesive whole.

This will require understanding of your values, purpose, and goals.

What is it that you want from life, and what do you enjoy?

What are your passions? How do you see yourself being involved with these activities?

What are the most important things in your life?

What would you do if you could do anything?

The only limits placed on your vision come from you. Though, make sure to reflect on your long-term goals and big picture vision, to ensure it’s what you really want, so when it comes you will be able to live the life you truly desire.

One way to create a clear vision is to create a life script. This is a clear evaluation and development of what you want to accomplish. It provides an immediate script to start instilling a new set of intentions, beliefs, and expectations. Contact me here for more details on coaching and developing a life script.

Mission Statement and Vision Board

Two other activities that can help create an ideal vision are to create a personal mission statement and to construct a vision board.

Either of these is a great place to start organizing what you want your life to be about, and what you want to see in life.

These are also good ways to learn more about your values and interests. It’s important to know that what you’re doing matches up with your values and personal convictions.

For a mission statement, answer the following questions:

- What do I value most in life?

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­- What is most important to me?

- What is my life’s purpose?

- What legacy do I want to leave?

The mission statement is a starting point to help you grow personally and professionally.  It’s not static, but is a place to help you start living with purpose.

A vision board is another practical and creative way to clarify goals and milestones you want to see in life.

Two fun ways a vision board can be constructed are by using Powerpoint or by using poster board. Go collect pictures and images of things you value and desire to have in your life. You can use old magazines, books, or photos, if you’re using poster board, or general images from the internet if you’re using PowerPoint.

Begin either placing these pictures on a board or into a PowerPoint slide, and start organizing them in a way that inspires you, and clearly expresses your desires.

Put a happy picture of yourself in the middle of the collage surrounded by the things you want and situations you desire from life.

It is time to start beginning with the end in mind, and these exercises can help. Begin planning your future by discovering what you want and start to focus on these circumstances. Don’t hold back or limit what you can become. It will take time and effort, but holding the ideal image of where you want to be, will get you closer and closer.

“A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.” – Rosabeth Moss Kanter

Take small steps, but don’t forget the greater vision through the process. Keep believing in the potential you have, and make sure you are emotionally connected to the larger vision to keep pushing forward.

Keep Reading! Related posts:

How to Transform into the Person you Want to be

Grow to Greatness: Five Principles of Successful Self-Growth

What I Wish I Knew Earlier: Three Life Lessons to Achieving Greatness

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