Good day, Purposeful Hearts! So, I may have oversold this blog post with that attention-getting title, but we really are taking a summative, reflective look at what we’ve done over the last several weeks. My big question for you today is, overall, are you satisfied?
Satisfied with what, you ask? Are you satisfied with your vision statement – even gleefully proud of it? Today I’m sharing with you the top five outcomes of a well-crafted vision statement (Northouse), and I’d like you to compare your final draft with these outcomes. Will you pass the test, or will you need to tweak a few things? Either way, all of these exercises are worth the investment. It’s an investment in yourself and your future, after all.
In order for your vision statement to pass muster, it must provide you with the following guiding elements:
1. A Picture: Your vision statement should clearly describe the future state you imagine for yourself, and that future state should be full of ideals – an improvement over your status quo. Because of these improvements, that future state should bring about greater productivity, creativity, and inspiration than the here and now, and it should serve the greater good with your energy.
2. A Change: Since your vision involves a better future, it naturally and logically implies that you must change something about your current operations to get there. Whether that means new rules, policies, procedures, goals, or habits, your vision must call you toward growth and improvement.
3. Values: Your vision statement should reflect a true understanding and awareness of the values that drive your behavior. Given the time and attention we paid to your values while creating your vision statement, you should see your values shining through with brilliance. If not, the time is now to revisit your statement and make sure it encompasses your core beliefs.
4. A Map: A well-designed vision statement offers you a pathway forward toward your goals and ideals. Just like a map shows you which routes to take toward a given destination, your vision statement should clearly lay out the next actions and decisions that move you toward what you’ve envisioned for yourself.
5. A Challenge: As mentioned above, every vision statement compels you toward improvement; they never encourage stagnation or complacency. Because of this calling on your time, effort, and investment in your future, your vision statement should challenge you! Be sure that the sense of challenge you derive from your vision excites you without pushing you toward overwhelm or fear. Change can be scary, but your vision statement should call you to something you know falls within your God-given purpose and potential.
Well, how did you do? If your vision statement sailed through all five vision statement outcomes beautifully, well done! If not, there’s no shame in revising your vision until you can’t suppress your own excitement over where your life is headed. In that sense, your vision statement really should be the “sum of all things” – the sum of all things that make up you!
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