by Kelly K. O'Neil
What does success look like to you? Your vision of success is unique. It might be similar to my vision of success, but it probably will not be exactly the same. I've learned in my own life that if you don't identify your vision, others will plan and direct your life for you. True happiness comes when we create our own vision and work toward achieving it.
A compelling vision will help you succeed, be more satisfied with your life, and get the most out of your business relationships. Many leadership and personal development experts emphasize the importance of crafting a clear vision for your life. Vision can propel you and inspire those around you to reach their own dreams.
The first major reason to create a clear vision for success is to understand and clarify what you want your life to look like. When you have a clear vision of what you want your life to look like, then you can shape your business to make that vision a reality. The first step is to develop and clarify your life vision—when you are ready to retire, 15 years from now, 10 years from now, 5 years from now, and 6 months from now. Then you can become clear about how to build your business to support that lifestyle.
Creating a vision statement or image can be fun. It will certainly help you prioritize various aspects of your life and direct your activity and your thinking to the most important goals. Think of your passions—what you care about most. Passion is the driving force behind action. Passion generates emotion, and emotions are what energize an endeavor. Emotions and passions inspire us to move or respond in certain ways or directions.
Schedule an hour or two to create your vision of success. Take a pen and paper, and go to a quiet and relaxing place. Then close your eyes and imagine you life when you achieve success. Ask yourself questions like these:
- Where am I?
- Who is with me?
- What am I doing?
- How do I feel?
- What is my financial situation?
- What is meaningful in my life?
- What does my life represent?
- What do I really enjoy?
- What do my senses tell me (sight, smell, touch, sound)?
Then write down your vision of a successful life. Finally, think of passion, values, and purpose as the three powerful lenses through which you create, clarify, and enliven your vision.
I recommend a three-year vision—what will my life be like three years from now if I achieve the success I desire? Then choices and decisions become purposeful. When you know where you are heading, the choices you make will either lead you toward your vision or away from it. It will be much easier to make choices that lead you toward your vision.
The second major reason to create a clear vision for success is to get people to line up behind you to help you realize your vision. Few people become successful without the help and support of others. As a leader, you must have a clear understanding of where your business is going in order to get people to line up behind you and help you achieve the business success that will support the lifestyle you envision. If you expect others to help or support your business success, you must be able to articulate clearly where your business is going. You must also be able to point to the success markers along the way. Clearly defining your understanding of business success and articulating a plan for growth will engage others who are willing to share your vision and work beside you to achieve it.
Without a vision for business success you will be perceived by others as directionless. Without a vision others will not be able to support or assist you with confidence and trust.
Get started today and create a clear vision for YOUR success.
 Kelly K. O'Neil, Chief Strategy Officer, UpLevel Strategies, Inc.
Award Winning Strategic Coach and Marketing to the Affluent Expert Kelly O'Neil publishes the 'Arrive!' weekly ezine for small service businesses and information marketers. If you are ready to learn the best strategies to market to the affluent so that you can make more money and have more freedom and fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.uplevelstrategies.com.
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