Visioning
Navigating major life changes can feel like entering uncharted territory. Your old reality and routines are gone, and figuring out how to rebuild and live purposefully can be disorienting. Visioning techniques can provide much-needed direction, inspiration, and empowerment during this challenging yet full of potential time.
Visioning involves using your imagination to envision your desired future across all important domains – career, relationships, personal growth, health, home, and more. Whereas transition can feel like being pushed from the past, visioning can help to pull you forward into your next chapter. With clarity on your ideal future self and life, you can then work backwards to set goals and plans to make that vision a reality.
- Start by reflecting on your core values, passions and mission. What matters most to you now? What impact do you want to make going forward? Envision how you will live out your purpose through meaningful work and activities. Paint a sensual picture of your lifestyle, environment, relationships and mindset at their best.
- See yourself transforming into your highest potential. What strengths will you leverage? What new skills and mindsets will you cultivate? Become the person who can thrive in this new chapter.
- Use visioning to define the roles, behaviors, capabilities and attributes of your best possible self. Then reverse engineer goals and plans across all life domains that will make your vision a concrete reality.
Research shows that visioning boosts optimism, self-efficacy, motivation and goal setting and achievement – all crucial mindsets and skills for taking ownership of your next steps after a disruption. Studies found that people who regularly envision their ideal future report feeling more inspired and connected to their new identity when starting therapy, college or major projects.
While major transitions can feel overwhelming, visioning provides a compass when the way forward is hazy. Having clarity on your ideal life gives direction and purpose. Rather than being pushed by the past, you can be pulled forward by your inspirational vision. Keep it vibrant through vision boards, writing, discussion, and regular reflection. Let your vision stretch you while remaining grounded in your new reality. With vision, you can manifest the life you want as you embark on your next chapter.
The more clearly you can envision your desired future, the more empowered you’ll feel to make it a reality. Visioning creates the crucial roadmap to guide your actions, plans, and goals after transitions.