| It's good to create or revise
the "personal vision" you have for your life. A compelling
vision can help you succeed, be more satisfied with your life,
and get the most out of your mentoring relationships. Following
is a tool for doing that.
Importance of Having a Personal Vision
Numerous experts on leadership and personal development emphasize
how vital it is for you to craft your own personal vision for
your life. Warren Bennis, Stephen Covey, Peter Senge, and others
point out that a powerful vision can help you succeed far beyond
where you'd be without one. That vision can propel you and inspire
those around you to reach their own dreams. I've learned in my
own life and in working as a psychologist that if you don't
identify your vision, others will plan and direct your life for
you. I've worked with too many individuals who late in their
lives said, "If only. . . ." You don't have to be one
of them.
Senge defines vision as what you want to create of yourself
and the world around you. What does your vision include? Making
a vital change in an area such as health, technology, or the environment?
Raising happy, well-adjusted children? Writing a book? Owning
your own business? Living on a beach? Being very fit and healthy?
Visiting every continent? Helping others with their spiritual
development? What are you good at? What do you love to do? What
aren't you good at now, but you'd like to be? All of these important
questions are part of identifying your personal vision.
Use this Tool #1 to think through and start to craft your personal
vision. It's adapted from many sources and should prompt you to
think and dream. Find a place without distractions such as a quiet
table at a restaurant. Answer as many of the questions as possible,
and discuss your responses with someone you trust.
| Things I Really Enjoy Doing |
What Brings Me Happiness/Joy |
The Two Best Moments of My
Past Week |
Three Things I'd Do If I Won
the Lottery |
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| Issues or Causes I Care Deeply About |
My Most Important Values (Circle) |
Things I Can Do at the Good-to-Excellent
Level |
What I'd Like to Stop Doing or Do as Little
as Possible |
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Did any of these questions trigger some ideas about what you'd
like to be doing with your life between now and 2005? If so, keep
thinking about the questions and your answers, and continue your
personal research.
For additional ideas and mentoring resources, see Product
List.
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