Once you’ve done a Vision Quest and you know what you want to do, what you want to become, your next step must be to follow what I call the Vision Breakdown. The Vision Breakdown will help you figure out how you plan to achieve what you want, as well as deciding what you’re willing to do and what you’re willing to invest to get what you want.
Now I know the term Vision Breakdown might seem to imply that your view is impaired or in need of repair. But actually, just the opposite is true. The Vision Breakdown enables you to see your future more clearly by building a game plan, a road map, an infrastructure for success.
First, I want you to work backwards and break down your dream or vision into a series of time-sensitive goals. Because if your goal doesn’t have a timeframe, then it is just a wish. Make sure your goals are positive, challenging, believable, attainable, and written down with a definite timeframe in mind. As far as your goal is concerned, I believe if you can’t name it, then you can’t claim it. Got it? So what is it?
For example, if your dream is to lose weight and become healthier and more energetic, then take that vision of a slimmer, fitter you and break it down into the exact goals you want to achieve, along with a timeline. The time frame doesn’t have to be etched in stone, because we all know that life is unpredictable and stuff happens. But a “due date” will help you to maintain your focus, and provide that necessary nudge back up onto the wagon when you fall off.
So how do you achieve your vision? For starters, you need to break it down. One of your goals might be to lose 30 pounds in 4 months. Another goal might be to stop smoking by your birthday. And a third goal might be to develop better sleeping habits – starting tonight.
Now, you’ve taken the vision of a slimmer, fitter you and broken it down into several goals such as losing 30 pounds, building more muscle, and breathing and sleeping better. Next, take these goals and break each one down even further into a series of necessary tasks. Again, you must ask yourself how am I going to achieve these goals? What strategies and procedures can I use to realize my goals? For example, the goal to lose 30 pounds in 4 months might require the tasks of eating breakfast on a regular basis, substituting healthy snacks for junk food, avoiding second helpings, stopping eating in bed, substituting soft drinks with water, and performing an exercise regimen four times a week.
Next, take each task or strategy and break it down one more time into finite action steps. Whereas dreams are attained one goal at a time, your goals are achieved one action step at a time. These action steps are the basic, practical steps that will appear on your daily to-do list. For example, what steps must you accomplish today to help fulfill your dream of a slimmer, fitter, more energetic you tomorrow? This specific to-do list – or action plan – might include grocery shopping for whole-grain cereals, bottled water, and healthy snacks like mixed nuts, fresh fruit, and low-fat yogurt; or scheduling an appointment with a physician for a thorough physical; or purchasing a pair of running shoes; or recording your body weight in a diary; or throwing away the snack tray in your bedroom. You’d better not be eating in bed!
And finally, the last step of the Vision Breakdown, once you’ve dissected your vision down to goals to tasks to action steps, is probably the most difficult – you must move your muscles and take action! Knowing is not doing. Doing is the difference between winners and whiners. Winners do what whiners and losers won’t do. Somewhere along the continuum – from having the vision to setting goals to developing strategies to compiling a to-do list to taking action – most people fall by the wayside. You won’t see me by the wayside. I don’t even know where wayside is located. I keep on keeping on. I keep pushing onward – taking action - until my vision becomes a reality. And so must you. -- PC |
