How To Write a Personal Vision Statement for 2014

A How To Guide for Productive People

Let’s start with a goal.

A goal tells you what your doing.

A Finance Goal:

Save 60% of all new money coming in

A vision statement tells you where you’re going.

Personal Vision Statement Example: Finance

I am actively saving and investing for early retirement. I increase my savings by living on a smaller monthly

budget and pruning unnecessary costs. I am earning money, say 100 dollars a month, in ways beyond a

company’s employment.

A Vision Statement…

1. Paints a picture.

2. Describes an ideal future.

3. Lights the path forward.

Let’s do it.

Step 1: Schedule Time

Here’s your schedule:

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7

One dedicated

hour

Passively throughout

day

Passively throughout

day

One dedicated

hour

Passively throughout

day

Passively throughout

day

One dedicated

hour

Brainstorm and record

Brainstorm and record

Brainstorm and record

Begin writing

Brainstorm and record

Brainstorm and record Write

Here’s why we schedule:

1. It gives you time to know what is really important

2. It prevents you from cramming it all at once.

3. It allows your mind to drift away from, and back to, this process.

Step 2: Choose Categories

What categories will envision?

Some common categories for Personal Vision Statements:!(yellow categories considered most fundamental)

Art Career Community Family

Finances Fitness Health Hobbies

Personal Relationships Recreation Self

Spiritual Travel Work etc..

Different people; different categories

One category may cover a range of topics. My ‘self’ may be your ‘health’ and ‘spiritual’

Choose categories to cover your entire life or just a couple key areas.

Step 3: Brainstorm & Record

Start off by asking yourself:

How would you like people to describe you?

What does your ideal day look like?

What do you do on your favorite days?

What do you wish you do more/less of?

What is important to you?

Remember:

1. No judgement—everything is valid in brainstorming.

2. Be honest—no one has to see this but yourself.

3. Write everything down—you won’t remember it all.

Step 4: Write Your Vision Statement

Time to craft your statement

1. Identify activities and themes that are important to you.

2. Rewrite these into a brief narrative.

3. Use present tense to keep it active.

4. Specific is fine as long as it is describing an ideal state and not steps to get there.

Personal Vision Statement Example: Health

I am a yoga teacher, certified and in practice. I continue my education in yoga by attending workshops and advanced classes. I challenge myself with yoga because it’s good for my spirit. I practice yoga daily. Not going to class is not a way out of yoga. I rock climb twice weekly for strength training.

Step 5: Leave it then Live it

Leave it:

1. Take a break from it to allow your mind to wander.

2. Ask yourself: “Is this truly what an ideal state for me would look like?”

3. Edit.

4. Repeat, possibly for a couple weeks.

Live it:

1. When satisfied, store in a place you’ll see it daily.

2. Set your goals to work towards this ideal state.

By Josh Ehrenreich Visit www.25HrsADay.com to read more ‘How To Guides’ for productive people