Create a personal vision statement

If you have a life compass (also known as a personal vision statement), you’ve got directions to creating the life you want to live. If you’re winging it and that’s working for you, that’s fine too. But if you feel like the years are passing by and you’re not living your best life, it’s time to get serious and create a personal vision statement.

A personal vision statement is a clear, concise summary of your personal goals and dreams for the future. It is a compass when life leads you astray, pulling you in different directions. It’s also a guide for making decisions based on your values, and it helps you stay focused on the goals you want to achieve.

In the following blog, you’ll discover the how and why of creating your own personal vision statements with examples to guide you on getting it right.

Why You Need a Personal Vision Statement

Developing a personal vision statement has numerous benefits, including clarifying your purpose, staying motivated and inspired, and providing a valuable tool for decision-making to reach your personal and professional objectives.

Clarity of Purpose

When you reach the end of your life, you don’t want to look back and wish you’d done or achieved more. So, right now is the time to dig deep to understand your true purpose. After all, when you know what you truly want in life, you can prioritise and focus on those goals.

Motivation and Inspiration

A personal vision statement serves as a constant reminder of your broader goals, fuelling motivation even when confronted with challenges.

Decision-Making Tool

Writing a clear and compelling vision statement for your life simplifies decision-making and empowers you to make choices that consistently align with your long-term goals. Creating a powerful life vision means confidently navigating life’s challenges and staying focused on achieving your dreams.

Personal and Professional Growth

A personal vision statement links your personal values and professional ambitions, ensuring a holistic approach to growth. Often called achieving work-life balance, creating a vision for your future ensures that both personal and professional dreams are realised.

How to Create a Personal Vision Statement

The step-by-step guide provided below will help you create your own personal vision statement and live the life you envision for yourself. It might require multiple revisions, but don’t stop until you’ve crafted a guide that facilitates the achievement of your life goals, both personally and professionally.

Step 1: Reflect on Your Core Values

How are you at introspection? If it’s a muscle you don’t exercise often, it will take time to identify what matters most to you in life. To get started, try asking yourself the following types of questions.

Questions to Ask:

What are the principles I live by?

What makes me feel fulfilled?

What are my greatest strengths, and how do I use them?

What activities make me lose track of time because I’m so engaged?

What do I want to be remembered for?

What values are non-negotiable for me?

Who are the people that inspire me, and why?

What would I do if I knew I couldn’t fail?

What have been the most meaningful moments of my life?

What motivates me to get out of bed in the morning?

What are my long-term goals, and why do they matter to me?

What fears or limitations have held me back, and how can I overcome them?

What kind of relationships do I want to cultivate, and what values should they be based on?

How do I define success, and does that definition align with my values?

What brings me joy, and how often do I make time for them?

When do I feel the most connected to myself and others?

What do I need more of in my life to feel balanced and happy?

If I could change one thing about my life, what would it be, and why?

What legacy do I want to leave for future generations?

What impact do I want to have on the people and world around me?

These questions can prompt deep self-reflection and help you uncover your core values, passions, and purpose. Next, it’s important to identify your strengths.

Step 2: Identify Your Strengths and Passions

Consider your strengths, talents, and passions and how they can align with your personal vision statement. You could explore a strengths assessment or write a list of activities that energise or enhance your life.

Step 3: Visualise Your Ideal Future

Visualisation is a powerful tool for achieving your goals. Try to imagine your ideal life in 5-10 years. Where will you be living? Who will you spend your time with? What will you do for fun, and what will you do for work? Are they one and the same?

Guided Visualisation Exercise: Picture Your Future Self

Find a quiet, comfortable space where you won’t be interrupted. Sit or lie down, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Let go of any tension in your body and clear your mind. Now, let’s begin.

Set the Scene

Imagine yourself in the future, having achieved all your goals. Picture waking up in your ideal space. Notice the details—sounds, colours, light.

Career and Purpose

As you get ready for your day, envision work that brings fulfilment. Imagine the impact you make and how it aligns with your deeper purpose.

Relationships

Think about your closest relationships. Picture the people—family, friends, colleagues, or partners. Envision healthy, supportive, loving interactions. Who do you spend time with? What do you do together? Imagine the joyous conversations and shared moments. How do these relationships make you feel?

Health and Well-being

Focus on your health and well-being. Visualise yourself feeling physically vibrant and mentally peaceful. How do you care for your body? Start your day with exercise or meditation. Engage in activities that keep you healthy, such as yoga, running, or mindful walks in nature. What habits help maintain your well-being? How do you nourish yourself physically and mentally?

Personal Growth and Fulfillment

Consider your personal growth. In the future, you’ve developed new skills, grown emotionally, and expanded your horizons. What have you learned? Which experiences have shaped you? Imagine engaging in fulfilling activities like creative hobbies or travelling. How do these experiences help you feel more aligned with your true self?

Return to the Present

Take a moment to reflect on the vision of your future self. Identify any areas that particularly stood out or surprised you. Consider the steps you can take today to move closer to that vision. After visualising, open your eyes and jot down any insights gained to bring your future self closer to reality.

Step 4: Write Your Vision Statement

After much contemplation, it’s time to combine the insights from the previous steps to craft a concise, inspiring statement. Keep the statement positive, use the present tense and be specific. If you’re not satisfied, keep trying until your vision statement resonates deeply.

Here are a few well-written vision statements to help you perfect yours!

“I aspire to lead a purpose-driven career where I use my skills in community services to create innovative solutions that positively impact my community. I will strive to continuously grow, challenge myself, and mentor others, ensuring that my work aligns with my core values of integrity, creativity, and social responsibility.”

“My vision is to live a balanced and fulfilling life where I nurture meaningful relationships, contribute to my community, and pursue a career that aligns with my passion for sustainability. I will prioritise my mental and physical health, explore new experiences, and stay connected to nature while embracing gratitude and growth in everything I do.”

“I envision a life where I am continuously growing and evolving personally and professionally. I will cultivate a deep self-awareness, practice mindfulness, and prioritise my physical well-being through daily movement and nourishment. I aim to adopt compassion, resilience, and gratitude in every aspect of my life, supporting myself and those around me.”

 

How to Use Your Personal Vision Statement

Set Daily Reminders

Make sure your vision statement is visible, whether you place it on a vision board in your bedroom or recite it as a daily affirmation at the beginning or end of the day.

Guiding Actions

Ensure you use your vision statement as a guide for setting goals and making decisions in your daily life.

Review Regularly

It’s helpful to review and revise your personal vision statement periodically as your life changes.

 

We hope you now have the necessary steps to create your own personal vision statement, as it holds significant value for both your personal and professional life. Once you have crafted your personal vision statement perfectly, we hope you will feel the transformative impact of having a clear vision for your future.