Do you have a 2020 vision? I’m not talking about your eyesight, but your life sight. We are two months into the year 2020, and it is the only 2020 that we will ever experience in our lifetime, let’s make it one of our best years ever, see my article “Year of Transformation” that expands on this principle. Still, I’ve learned that having a vision for life enhances our ability to achieving success, therefore let’s take hold of this year with a 2020 vision
The Default Life
Throughout the years, I had the privilege of coaching and mentoring many people, and one thing they all had in common; they wanted a better life and a better future for themselves and their families. But a better life and future doesn’t come by default; you have to work at it and take action to get it. Therefore, let’s abandon the default life, and live the life God intended us to live, by creating a vision for it.
It’s interesting to note that many people do not have a vision or a plan for their life; they live life by default. The default life is an uncontrolled life, and an uncontrolled life is a life without purpose. A vision gives life purpose and not having a vision is like walking life’s highway without a compass; For example, you know you are on the road but have no idea of your destination, you are traveling wherever life leads you. Don’t let your life lead you. Instead, you lead your life.
God’s Given Life Plan
Take hold of it, because God has great things in store for you. He has given you life through His Son, and there is no better life than the life given to you from God. God said that He has plans for you, plans of peace, well-being, a future, and hope (Jeremiah 29:11). So let’s take this God-given life plan, and excel to our highest selves this year by creating a vision that will lead to a journey of excellence and greatness
Vision Is Not a Goal
Many see a vision as a goal, but it’s not, nor is it a plan, many have a plan, but few have a vision, a plan is a document to take action, a goal is the steps to achieve your plan. And having a goal and a plan for your life is a necessity, and we should not downplay them, but having a vision gives both your plan and goal life. A vision will move you in a way like no other, it will pull you into a position to act. Michael Jordan said it best “It’s the test of your will to succeed.
What is Vision
I see a vision as a combination of innovation, imagination, and creation. It’s innovation; because it’s going to require you to think outside the box. It’s imagination; because it’s going to require you to imagine something bigger than yourself. And creation because it’s going to drive you to recreate yourself.
Having a clear vision is the by-product of these three elements (innovation, imagination, and creation). They put you in a state to explore your “why” in life. They will drive you to think about your capabilities and tap into your inner self, to expose your highest potential, to see who you are tomorrow.
Why is Vision so Important
Vision is important because it gives purpose to life by defining those guiding principles, values, and morals that makeup who we are to achieve those things that are important to us. The Bible tells us, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18). Therefore, without a vision, our purpose seems to fade away, and life becomes meaningless, hopeless, and directionless.
Studies have shown that people who discover vision, live longer and healthier lives. A vision puts life into perspective, whether it’s career, family, or ministry; a vision becomes the foundation for achieving them. It becomes your motivation to take action and your inspiration to achievement.
Success and Vision
I have personally done a study on what drives success. And what I’ve learned is that most successful people have a vision of where they are going, both for themselves and their company. Bill Gates, vision is to have a desktop in every home. Steve Jobs was “to contribute to the world by making tools for the mind that advance humankind.” While Elon Musk’s vision to land a rocket on Mars by 2022. It’s like success is a by-product of vision. Therefore, if you want success, create a vision for your life.
Vision in Action
There’s an old proverb that reads, “Vision without action is a daydream, but action without a vision is a nightmare.” Therefore let me encourage you to take hold of a vision; that one thing in life that you want to achieve and work relentlessly toward making it a reality. Because “vision without action is merely a dream, action without vision just passes the time, but vision with action can change the world” ~Joel Barker.
Vision and Your Environment
Once you have defined and created your vision, you must write it down and review it often; there’s just something about visualizing your vision. I would recommend creating a journal; it a fantastic way of monitoring and tracking your journey, but it also will encourage and motivate you toward it. I also would strongly recommend that you get in an environment that will encourage and support your vision, I cannot stress this point enough, your environment will either make you or break you, this includes your family, friends, and peers.
Vision and You
Your vision is not only what defines you and what you do in life, but it should also become part of you. It should drive and pull you in its direction. In contrast, It doesn’t rob you of your past. Instead, it learns from it and uses it to recreate you toward your vision. What we want to avoid is looking back a year from now, and we are doing the same things. Because life is about progress, and if we are not progressing then we are regressing. And a vision is that path to progress and success.
To sum up this week’s article with a quote from Helen Keller who said, “The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but no vision.” Therefore, let’s take hold of a 2020 vision. Let nothing or no-one stop you from achieving your dreams.