Quick Tips to Help You Refocus Your Life

Friday, August 1, 2003

Jesse Stoner, http://www.seapointcenter.com

Are You Running Your Life or is Your Life Running You?

What next? The biggest question we'll ever face. And often the hardest question to answer. Maybe you've accomplished your immediate goals. Maybe you're approaching a new phase of your life. Maybe things have changed. Maybe things haven't turned out the way you had planned or hoped. In all these cases, whether the current news is good or bad, we often find ourselves standing on the edge of what seems like a precipice, wondering "what's next?" To answer this question, you need to first answer another question: what is your vision? Vision means knowing who you are, where you're going, and what will guide your journey. When you can answer these questions, you can craft a roadmap that will answer "what's next" at each step of the journey.

Four Questions To Answer First

First you need to do some self-reflection. Get a journal. Give yourself permission to explore, to dream. Create a vision that is proactive, not reactive-one that focuses on what you want rather than trying to get rid of what you don't want. Do not limit yourself by what you may think is possible. Vision has incredible power. You can refine your vision and make it more realistic later. But first consider the answers to these questions:

Ask what you really want? What do you care deeply about? What matters most to you? What you are passionate about, not just what you are good at?

Ask yourself "why." If you want to lose weight, ask yourself why you want to. Is it to be healthy? to look attractive? to feel more comfortable? Getting to the root of what you really want will reveal your underlying purpose. It will help you identify actions that support your true purpose.

Ask what you stand for? What are the values you hold most deeply-those that guide your life? By identifying your values and connecting them with your purpose, you will be able to make conscious decisions on how to proceed as you pursue your vision.

Ask what it will look like when it is happening. What is the picture of the end-result? Create clear pictures that you can actually see in your mind. What it looks like and what is happening when you are fulfilling your purpose and living your values? Focus on the end-result, not the process for getting there.

Six Tips to Make Your Vision Reality

Keep your vision conscious. Write it down. Draw a picture or a symbol. Put something that reminds you of your vision in a prominent place where you will see it frequently.

Act consistently with your vision. Make all of your actions consistent with your vision. Measure yourself against it everyday. Make decisions that support your vision. Don't get sidetracked by interesting opportunities that lead you in the wrong direction.

Talk with others. At first you might choose to share your vision only with people you are close to. It may feel too fragile in the beginning. But do not wait too long. They may have some good ideas that help you refine it. And visions are contagious. You may find others who share your dream.

Be open to possibilities. Don't allow your vision to be so narrow that you miss the forest for the trees. If you have a vision that involves other people, recognize that some specific people may not share your vision. See if your vision resonates with their own. If not, you may need to make tough choices. Eventually, you will discover others that you might never have been open to before.

Be flexible. Life is unpredictable; change is inevitable. Sometimes events beyond our control prevent us from achieving certain goals. If unforeseen circumstances throw you off-course, refocus on your vision and set a new course. Although the goal cannot be attained, it does not mean that your vision is unattainable. Reconnect with your vision and set new goals.

Commit through action. Find resources and support systems to help you. Take a first step. It doesn't have to be totally planned out before you begin. As you take action, future steps will become clearer. The power of vision begins with action.

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Credit:
Jesse Stoner at Seapoint Center, 860-521-8080 or via web site www.seapointcenter.com

Jesse Stoner co-authored Full Steam Ahead! Unleash the Power of Vision in Your Company and in Your Life with bestselling business author Ken Blanchard. A complete description of the book, reviews and a 30% discount are available at www.amazon.com

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