From Susan M. Heathfield,
Your Guide to Human Resources.
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Your personal vision statement guides your life. Your personal vision statement provides the direction necessary to guide the course of your days and the choices you make about your career. Your personal vision statement is the light shining in the darkness toward which you turn to find your way. Your personal vision statement illuminates your way.

Obviously, I am a huge fan of personal vision statements. Write your personal vision statement as the first step in focusing your life - for your joy, your accomplishments, your contribution, your glory, and for your legacy.

Exploration to Prepare to Write the Personal Vision Statement

Use these questions to guide your thoughts.

• What are the ten things you most enjoy doing? Be honest. These are the ten things without which your weeks, months, and years would feel incomplete.



• What three things must you do every single day to feel fulfilled in your work?



• What are your five-six most important values?



• Your life has a number of important facets or dimensions, all of which deserve some attention in your personal vision statement. Write one important goal for each of them: physical, spiritual, work or career, family, social relationships, financial security, mental improvement and attention, and fun.



• If you never had to work another day in your life, how would you spend your time instead of working?



• When your life is ending, what will you regret not doing, seeing, or achieving?



• What strengths have other people commented on about you and your accomplishments? What strengths do you see in yourself?



• What weaknesses have other people commented on about you and what do you believe are your weaknesses?

Craft Your Personal Vision Statement

Once you have thoughtfully prepared answers to these questions and others that you identify, you are ready to craft a personal vision statement. Write in first person and make statements about the future you hope to achieve. Write the statements as if you are already making them happen in your life. Some experts recommend 50 words or less, but I would rather see you fully articulate the vision you want for your life and your future, than be limited by word count.

Motivational speaker and writer, Brian Tracy, states that you generally accomplishment your written goals, dreams, plans, and vision. Writing them down lends power and commitment to their accomplishment.

Keep in mind that your personal vision statement can also change over time, depending upon what is happening in your life. You will be amazed, however, at how many components remain consistent over time. I first articulated this vision for my life in 1984; this personal vision statement guides my life.

My Personal Vision Statement

My own personal vision statement includes such items as reading and writing every day; publishing books; sharing a lifetime of knowledge about people, management, and workplaces with a vast international audience; having a positive impact on every person with whom I come in contact; living daily a life dedicated to integrity, commitment, challenge, and joy; loving my husband and valuing my marriage; valuing a few close friends; valuing family relationships; being at all times aware of and engaged in my natural environment; inventing and writing about recipes and food; traveling the world to experience its richness; watching plays and movies; listening to music; never having to worry about spending money on anything I want; and walking by Lake Michigan.

When I live and experience the components of my personal vision statement frequently, I feel inner peace and joy that knows no bounds. Your personal vision statement will have the same impact for you. Take the time to formulate answers to the above questions, and write your personal vision statement. Then, listen to your heart sing with the fullness of your articulated dreams.