Everyone, on some level, and at some time or another, dreams, hopes, desires, imagines, and speculates about possibilities, things, and opportunity. It is part of our human nature to want better relationships, a good career, health and well-being, ability to travel, and greater knowledge. Some people may lack motivation, not have the understanding, or do little to optimize their own talents and abilities, galvanize resources around them, and maximize effectiveness to realize desired results, manifest positive outcomes, and achieve their hopes and dreams.
The great news is that ongoing research shows the importance of self-awareness activities and its value in helping people develop and align a foundation of personal core values that catapult higher cognition and positive consequences throughout their career, relationships, and life. When individuals are intentional and set aside energy for self-mastery, they open themselves to experiencing positive change and building success orientation through visioning, creativity, motivation, evaluation and exploration, effective decision making, and positive behaviors that create positive outcomes, avoiding distortion, disengagement, disappointment, and burnout.
Neuroscience studies show us that our brain has the innate ability to assign value to things we say, things we hear, things we visualize and see, things we document and write down, and things we experience and create. The value assignment happens when there is consistency in the activity, it becomes a neuropath. Therefore, the activity of creating and designing a Vision Board, and the activity of Vision Journaling can be a very powerful exercise. When we commit action to the activity, consistently, our brain assigns higher value – it becomes important and we are more likely to take consistent action over time, are better able to be resilient and adapt to change and afford the opportunity to realize positive results and achieve success.
Here are 11 Steps for VISION JOURNALING and Creating a VISION BOARD:
- Purchase a journal and label the journal VISION. Write your name and date on the inside cover.
- Draft a list of CORE VALUES. In the journal list 20 words that describe what matters most to you, what gives your life meaning and purpose.
- For each Core Value define and write in the journal what that word means to you.
- Draft a list of MOTIVATORS. In the journal list each motivator and describe the meaning of each.
- Draft a list of your INTENTIONS. In the journal list each intention and describe how that intention makes you feel.
- Draft a list that describes your VISION. Be reasonable, realistic, and specific. Each hope, desire, and dream listed should be achievable.
- Prioritize your VISION List.
- Develop a VISION STATEMENT. This is 1-2 sentence statement that describes your hopes, desires, and dreams.
- Design a VISION BOARD. Put your words into images.
- Read your VISION BOARD/STATEMENT out loud each day. Share with others.
- Periodically revisit and adjust your VISION LIST, VISION STATEMENT, and VISION BOARD, in your VISION JOURNAL as needed – we recommend monthly.
Committing to writing in a Vision Journal and creating a Vision Board is very personal, and not a once-then-done activity. This activity requires trust, vulnerability, courage, humility, accountability, and discipline to be effective. Flexibility and resiliency are key drivers for creating value, experiencing growth, maximizing excellence, and achieving positive results and success. Vision Journaling and creating a Vision Board is a simple self-awareness activity that supports the process of achieving and realizing our hopes, dreams, and desires. Change is evident. Be mindful not to derail your progress or get stuck in distortions like negative self-talk, shame and blame, catastrophizing, or labeling. Knowing and having success in life is doable. Are you ready to prime your brain and maximize excellence?
Harris Whitesell Consulting, LLC., is a human resources and talent management consulting firm headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina. Our mission is to create valued partnerships based on trust, excellence, and impact – from assessment to action. We offer assessment, coaching, development, culture and engagement, change and transition, talent optimization, and customer strategy solutions. Our team of certified and highly qualified experts maximize organizational and leadership effectiveness and business success by working with people and businesses to accelerate value, optimize growth and opportunities for their leaders, teams, and organizational success! We maximize excellence! Learn more about our services – visit our website: https://harriswhitesellconsulting.com, call us at (833) 848-7845, and connect, follow and reach out to us on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hwconsult.
