More successful and healthier with a vision?
Do you have a clear vision?
Most organizations have a vision these days, a clear picture of who they want to be in the future. There are however not so many people who have a very clear picture of their own future while it can bring so much. Research show that with a vision you are much more successful than without.
Begin with the end in mind
The second habit of Covey’s 7 habits of effective leadership is: being with the end in mind. That is for a good reason. Visualize a clear picture in your mind of what you want to achieve and it is easier to actively get started to make this picture reality. It is just like building a house, you first start with the idea of how it will look like. Only after having a clear vision you can start working to realize it.
Realizing your dream
A good example is Walt Disney, he stood on an open field and dreamed of a park where parents would go with their children to have fun together. From this vision, he started to realize Disneyland. He realized something that first only existed in fantasy.
Write and repeat
Research shows that realizing your vision works even better when you write this down for yourself and read it on a daily basis. Repetition gives you focus on your vision and helps you to do the right things. With this focus you can consciously get started, plan your path and take your steps. Next to these conscious actions your unconscious also helps you achieving what you want. Your unconscious regulates much more than you would initially think.
The smart unconscious
An interesting book in this context is the book The Smart Unconscious by Ap Dijksterhuis. What you see and read unconsciously drives our behavior. Research show that reading words associated
with elderly persons will automatically let you walk slower. So, your unconscious can be influenced. If you have your vision in mind every day and see the positive words of what you want to achieve, your unconscious also brings you closer to your goal. Consciously and unconsciously you make other choices that lead to the realization of your vision.
Longer and happier life
It is not that commonly known that having a vision is also healthier. Dan Buettner wrote the book: The Blue Zones; lessons for living longer from the people who’ve lived the longest. He traveled all over the world and found places where people grow old healthy and vital. In the areas where people are happier and become much older than average, the residents have a clear vision for their future and a daily plan. His conclusion was that having a vision contributes to a longer and happier life.
Make people happy
As a child I had a picture of my future: “When I grow up I am a clown”. I told this to everyone. At a later age I knew why. I want to make people happier. By helping them to be clear on what is most important to them in life, making them more aware of their talents and give them the self-confidence that they can realize their vision.
If you can dream it you can do it (Walt Disney).
Do you have a clear vision of who you want to be? If so, are you living towards it? If not, what stops you?
