Develop a Vision Statement & Goal Plan for my Life

I’ve had this goal on my list for quite some time, but have always hesitated to write an entry for it. I’ve been so lost; I had no idea where to even start. Since I didn’t (and to an extent, still don’t) know what I want, how could I set up a goal plan..???

Now, finally, I am slowly getting closer to it; slowly understanding more about me, why I am who I am and what I want.

once i put this goal on my list two days ago, i’ve kept coming across pieces of advice on how to create a vision statement, in what way to explore inner needs, dreams and set meaningful goals for life. the goal seemed pretty abstract to me at first,i’m not a big planner or life designer ;) but now I have something to begin with.

Transition is both retrospective and embryonic, we reflect back upon the journey life has taken us on with appreciation and reverence, and yet at the same time cast our thoughts onwards to the misted horizons that lie beyond the open seas of the future. As I pack my life into cardboard boxes I am entrusted with a deep seeded gratuity for this life I have led, it has been a culmination of inspiring moments, great accomplishments, exceptional and influential people and experiences that shall forever instil my heart with fond and inspiring memories. Will I come back? That is always a definitive question that knows no definitive answer. Will I be the same person when I come back? The answer to such is indisputable… the woman who returns to this corner of the world in twelve months time will not be the same woman I know today. Life moves on and so must we.

For two years I have led a shell of a life, unsure about the dreams that lie latent in my soul and unable with any sense of certainty to yield myself to commitment or change. I lost myself, I lost my direction, I lost sense of purpose and destiny, I was living a hollowed out existence. Looking through boxes of letters, awards, certificates, prophecies, photos… I realise how much I deviated from destiny but for why and what purpose perhaps I shall never know – it was part of the journey. Perhaps without the slight detour I would never be able to give expressive perspective to the future… perhaps it was not a detour after all but simply part of a bigger picture larger than myself.

What I see around me is just a mirage of the life I thought I might like to have or happened per chance to find myself in… but essentially it’s not me. Simplicity, Beauty, Minimalistic Living, Spontaneity, Creative Freedom, Wilderness, Mountains, Unknown, Impulse, Simple Enjoyment, Exploration, Adventure, Daring feats, New Experiences, Challenge, Life on the Edge – it is the core of who I am, it is what inspires my deepest passions and arouses the greatest inspiration and delight. Life is not without its complications but it should not find its orbit solely around complexity, if it does… perhaps we need to change our orbit.

I want to start this and plan for remaining 25 years of life.

My Mission Statement

My mission in life is to be the best person I was designed to be. I will accomplish this by being committed to my family, not neglecting my talents, and by making time to pray, while seeking God’s larger will for my life. I will strive to balance my time and energy in all things in order to maximize my time and be the best mom and wife I can be!

My Priority Areas

Faith

In order to “make time to pray and seek God’s larger will for my life” I will regularly attend church and set aside time for prayer.

Family

In order to “be committed to my family and be the best mom I can be” I will regularly set aside quality time for my husband and for my son. I will strive to maintain order and cleanliness in the household to help promote a happy, healthy environment.

Finances

In order to “balance” all things, this includes my checkbook. Getting out of debt also ties directly into the quality of “family” order.

Health

In order to strive to “balance my time and energy,” this includes my health, and I won’t have energy if I don’t have good health. Staying healthy is critical to my mission of being a good mom and wife.

Social Contributions

In order to utilize my talents, I will further my societal contributions through my efforts at work, my volunteer efforts, and in working to focus on others. I will also eat organic as much as possible and strive for a simple and healthy low-environmental impact household.

Vocation/Education/Personal Goals

In order to “not neglect my talents” I will work towards my personal goals on a daily basis, and further my education as opportunities arise.

I have been working through an awesome book that helps you accomplish this goal—it is a “Catholic” book but highly recommend for Protestants as well, or anyone else who sees spirituality one of the priorities in life, as it helps bring balance to your life. There is a specific section on crafting your vision statement after you work through several other exercises that help you to identify your priorities in life. The idea is to have several main categories of focus then break down your goals under each one—i.e. mine are faith, education, family, health, vocation, and household. Your mission statement is more direct with statements about who you want to be, then how to get there. After you put the statement and priority areas together with your goals, you seek to balance your life by working on a goal from each of the priority areas identified daily. This book is a great help and resource on the shelf.

Dave Durand is also a public motivational speaker in the private sector. The book is very practical, easy to read, and work through time and time again!

http://www.amazon.com/Time-Management-Catholics-Dave-Durand/dp/1928832571

I have actually been working on this for some time, but have several versions of it and no central place to put it, so I put some time and effort this weekend into the creation of a household notebook for me (aka my ‘brain’). The notebook starts out with a section for the vision statement, priorities, and goals, and also contains other sections for keeping my house in order and meeting other challenges (like a practice record section for my piano practice).

The vision statement is partially created, but is more short term than long range, so I need to refine one for this purpose.

I have my priority areas defined as: faith, family, finances, health, education, and personal. I will proceed to identify lifelong goals that fit within each of these categories and then refine them in light of my mission statement.

a vision statement and goal plan for my life? i can’t even come up with a vision statement and goal plan for my dinner. dammit.

do i accept this about myself and move forward as the carefree, largely confused, only occasionaly panicked, spontaneous person that i am? or do i need to grow up and change this? i can’t remember the last time i used so many question marks.

here’s the truth about me…i encourage my six year old NOT to do his homework because it’s awfully boring; the idea of dinner on the table every night at the same hour, while i understand it from a practical standpoint, makes me want to run out into traffic; i have a new idea about what to be when i grow up every week or so and, well, i technically grew up about 15 years ago. the ugly truth, there it is, filed properly under this very proper sounding goal.

there is a concept of the Supreme Being, a person who has so much happiness they are able to relieve others of their suffering. i can envision that. Thich Naht Hahn points out two steps to achieve this… nourish yourself with good things, and nourish within yourself compassion for others. both are a constant challenge.

meditation is critical to my ability to be the person i always hoped would save me some day. i love TNH’s idea that meditation puts you in touch with things/beings who are not suffering…trees, clouds, breezes, the sound of a dog breathing.

every day, make something beautiful