What’s vision got to do with it? Simplifying the journey of becoming the greatest version of you

Written by Karen Robinson from KR 4 HR Coaching & Consultancy

Each new year’s eve, billions of people across the world make new year's resolutions to save more money, get healthier, start something new, and lots of other forms of positive change. I have been one of those people, and I imagine you have too.

It won’t surprise you to learn that 92 per cent of new year’s resolutions fail. Because after a few days or weeks, we lose discipline. One drink won’t hurt, I’ll give the gym a miss today, I’ll write those social posts tomorrow, I’ll stop doom scrolling after this video.

Sometimes it’s because the change is unsustainable and unrealistic or because we’ve lost interest in being consistent. More often than not, it’s because it was no more than a vague wish, that had no structure as to how we were going to get there.

Whatever happened, it’s not anyone’s fault. It’s because we aren’t wired that way. We naturally want to gravitate to a comfy sofa, a cold can and binge friendly tv, rather than surviving on a lettuce leaf, running in subzero weather and creating earth shattering content with tech only designed for people under the age of 25!

But what if achieving your goals, dreams and vision, didn’t have to be so hard? Don’t get me wrong there are no magic wands here, but what if I could help you simplify the journey?

What is vision?

When most people think about “vision”, they think of a 70’s clad board room smelling of coffee and Old Spice, where they are forced to come up with a few corporatey sentences, that are put on dusty notice boards and given a right good ignoring for the next decade.

Or maybe it conjures memories of a Mystic Meg lookalike in a tent on Blackpool pier, who swears you were going to marry a millionaire next year? (I’m still waiting….)

But what if vision is a personal thing? Where we see something we like idea of, and we compassionately but intentionally move towards achieving it?

But, first things first. In order to achieve “it”, we firstly need to understand what “it” is.

Think of vision as the future version of you, or your business, that makes you say,

“Oh, yes please, I’ll have some of that.”

It’s the combination of your:

• Strengths - what you’re naturally good at (we ALL have them)
• Values - what you stand for, what is important to you and how you wish to lead your life
• Purpose - what gets you up in the morning (besides the dog needing a wee)
• Passion - your reason for being, where your purpose, skills, needs, and reward meet.

Think of it as your north star leading you to the greatest version of you and your business.

Ask yourself, “What does success look like?”

What’s a vision without goals?

The basis of any vision is to set some goals, stepping stones if you like, so you know you’re on the right path.

But beware of the unrealistic and unsustainable goals that have you back in a size 32” waist trousers next week or travelling the Med in your own private super yacht over the summer.

Why bother, I hear you say? Well, most visions don’t materialise because:

• They’re unclear

• They’re too big

• They’re not backed by new habits

• They rely on motivation (which lasts about 11 minutes)

• They ignore obstacles like the inner critic, procrastination, or “I’m too busy organising my email inbox by colour.”

• They’ve lost sight of what you actually want

• You’ve hit a confidence plateau

• You know things need to change, but don’t know where to start

Introducing SMARTERR goals. (No, I haven’t got chocolate stuck in my keyboard.)

• Specific – The more detail, the more chance you have to achieve it.
• Measurable – How far do you want to be able to run, how much money do you want to make, how will you know you have achieved your target?
• Achievable – How can it be broken down into achievable chunks or milestones? How often do you review?
• Relevant – Is signing up for a Marketing degree necessary when all you want to learn, is how to use your socials more efficiently?
• Time-bound – A realistic timescale to achieve it in.

And for the extra visionary magicalness….

• Evaluate –What is going well? and what, not so much?
• Review – What needs to change, and how?
• Reward – A little something to aim for and enjoy after you complete each milestone.

The ERR is the important, but often overlooked part, because achieving anything requires reflection, adjustment, a little self-honesty and a congratulatory job well done.

An example

Your vision is to get healthier.

Your goal was to run three times a week, but your trainers are still pristine and untouched, perhaps it’s time to evaluate and review would joining a running club or exercise class be better?

On the other hand, if you’re hitting the pavement despite the rain and snow, then give yourself a pat on the back and a little reward for your hard work. Could your next step be to increasing the distance, go up to 4 times a week, or stay as you are?

Achievable chunks and milestones

Big goals need small steps, so break it down into a simply structured, 30, 60, and 90 day plan.

30 Days – This is setting the foundations of what you want to do and how you are going to do it. What are the quick wins? How can you build momentum? Do a bit of self-discovery and learn what works for you.

60 Days – Now you have a better idea of what works and what doesn’t. Use this as an opportunity to refine your plan and align it to your habits. This could be increasing the challenge, adjusting your goals or altering your priorities. You might have seen some wins by now, so don’t forget to celebrate your achievements, regardless of how small.

90 Days – The daily small steps will be starting to show signs of bearing fruit now, and with this, an increase in motivation, momentum and the habits are becoming more sustainable. Keep reviewing, aligning and celebrating, ready for the next 90 days.

And repeat.

This simple strategy, keeps things manageable, and stops your vision feeling like an IKEA wardrobe with 900 pieces and no instructions. Overwhelm is not welcome here!

Tools to help achieve your vision

• SWOT analysis - By understanding your personal or professional strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, you will be able to build specific actions and habits into your plan.

• Accountability methods – Finding people to support and encourage you, particularly on the pyjama days. This may be through coaching, peer groups, check-ins, or your very determined diary. (uh um, Hi…..!)

• Mood and habit trackers – Are there any patterns to when you are most productive or have the motivation of a sloth? By tracking your habits and productivity you will be able to identify obstacles, behaviour, or people, that need to be encouraged or avoided.

• Resilience building exercises – Because we aren’t born with resilience, we learn it.

• Confidence building exercises - Confidence is a skill, not a personality trait. It can be learnt and developed just like riding a bike, salsa dancing or speaking Mandarin.

Every successful person’s secret…

Is to build consistent and sustainable habits.

• Forming new habits - Start small. Ridiculously small. I mean, ‘one push-up’ small. And build from there. It all mounts up.

• Sustaining new habits: Make it easy, repeatable, and (ideally) enjoyable. That way, you’ll feel more motivated and the momentum will come naturally.

• Be consistent: Consistency beats intensity every time. The more you do something the more you get used to it and the easier it then becomes second nature.

• Use a reminder – What will help remind you of your vision and help keep you on track?

But ……

Ah yes, the inner saboteur! This little bugger comes in many shapes and sizes:

• Imposter syndrome - Who am I to do this? There’s no way I can achieve this.

• Fear of failure - What if it all goes wrong? It’s probably better I don’t try in the first place.

• Perfectionism - It’s not good enough yet. What does perfect even look like?

• Procrastination - I’ll start after I alphabetise the spice rack.

• Inner critic - Don’t even try, you’re going to fail, so why bother?

Weirdly, this is our brains way of trying to keep us safe. It keeps us in our comfort zone, so we aren’t attacked by a sabertoothed tiger, the second we step outside our cave.

It’s lessons we have learnt from our care givers when we are small, and our personal experiences throughout our lives. Without it we would probably try picking daisies on the central reservation of the M6. So it’s not all bad.

But what about when we want more from our life and/or business?

Vision invites us to the party, goals drive us there, and success gives us the night of our lives!

Support. Because, no (wo)man is an island

No one said you had to do this alone, in fact, statistically you are more likely to achieve your goals and vision if you have help and support along the way.

Ask yourself:

• How can I develop my self-awareness?

• What tools can I use?

• What support do I need and from who?

• Who can hold me accountable?

• How will I track my habits and progress?

• Who can challenge me (nicely) when I drift?

Successful people aren’t lone wolves, they’re supported, coached, mentored, challenged, and encouraged.

So… what change do you actually want to make?

That’s the golden question.

Because when your vision is clear, your goals are tailored, your habits are supported, and your resilience is strengthening? You become unstoppable. (Not in a “take over the world” way. More in a “I finally know what I’m doing and I’m actually doing it” way.)