What’s Your Vision for 2017?

As a life coach, one of my challenges is to help people move through a process beginning with a dream, expanding to a vision and then to the reality of a vision fulfilled.  You may ask, “What’s the difference between a dream and a vision?”

A dream is an idea of what a new career, retirement, restored relationship, invention, financial plan or providing a service to improve the world could be, but, without a clear path to implementation. For some, the dream lives in the mind for years but stays stuck in neutral—perhaps fear, lack of confidence, faith or resources are the reasons. For me, the dream stage lasted 2 years as I contemplated forming a non-profit to serve others.

I believe that vision is a “dream with motivation.“  There is intentionality in a vision– a drive to see the vision become reality.  Moving a short-term, or long held dream, to a vision requires structure.  As such, you or I begin to assign value to thoughts, develop a process to implement the vision and then define anticipated results. In my case, implementing the vision was a 1 year journey until Living Perspectives was born. For those in a faith walk, prayer is a key component. For anyone, implementing a vision requires commitment, seeking counsel from trusted advisors, and some risk taking.

I believe there are three steps to help with transitioning from a dream to vision — with some help from Simon Sinek via a Ted Talk:

1. Value      Why is your vision important to you and others?
2. Process   How do you implement the steps to move the vision forward?
3. Results   What outcomes are desired as the vision is fulfilled?

Application:  John (not his actual name) was a resident in the Congregations for the Homeless men’s shelter. He had been in and out of the shelter 3 times.  His problem was addiction to nicotine and alcohol along with poor relationships with women.  John and I began a dialogue at the CFH bible study and coffee at Starbucks.  At age 50+ he had a dream to lead a “normal” life and to honor God with his body and his time.  John began the process of turning his dream into a vision and vision to a reality.

His why: John was tired of living off the government as he knew he had excellent sales and customer service skills.  He also knew (and I often reminded in a good natured way) that cigarettes would kill him and alcohol wasn’t good either. He wanted a healthy body, improved relationships and he expressed his desire to be productive in society.  His prayers were for help, strength and discipline.

His how: He attended outpatient treatment and went to his AA meetings.  John slowly weaned himself from cigarettes and in time alcohol.  Not smelling of smoke, he began to interview for jobs that would use his customer service skills.  He reengaged with family and by choice, changed his attitudes toward the opposite sex.   Prayers were for wisdom, patience, freedom from addiction and work to sustain him.

His what: John’s body began to recover from years of abuse and he was now free of both nicotine and alcohol addiction. He was hired in a customer service role.  A car purchased and subsidized housing brought the normalcy he had envisioned. His prayers were for continued sobriety, relationship building and a desire to help others who were living an addicted life.

John’s vision had become reality. He acknowledged that it was hard work and was helped by his partnership with God. I was impressed by his faith, persistence, patience, diligence and belief in his original dream and fulfillment of the vision.

May I ask? In 2017 do you have a dream that may be trying to breakout into a vision? Hey, you only live once…talk to someone, work your way through the why, how and what! Pass this message to someone you know who is on the verge!   I know that God answers prayers as 2017 will be year 35 for Living Perspectives.