The Mindset of Possibility Starts With a Vision

George Bernard Shaw said, “The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act—and not react…Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself. You see things and say 'why’—I dream things and say 'why not.’”
Here’s an exercise: Take a moment right now and write out some of the goals and dreams you have wanted to accomplish but never thought you could because they seem impossible to you.
Beside each of those goals, write a graphic description of how your future would change if you achieved these goals. How would your life be different if everything you imagined came true? This should be as detailed and descriptive as possible. Close your eyes, and imagine…and then write it down. There is incredible power in writing your goals.
King Solomon wrote, “Without a vision, the people perish.” By first focusing on what you really want, why you want it, and then developing a vision of what you want your business and life to look like when you achieve it, you are developing a mindset of possibility.
Vision answers the question: “Where am I going?” Vision is our hope, inspiring us, leading us, motivating us. The first step toward creating your desired future is developing the ability to envision it. Vision will ignite the fire of passion that fuels our commitment to do whatever it takes to achieve excellence. Tony Dungy said, “Vision allows us to transform dreams of greatness into the reality of achievement through human action. Vision has no boundaries and knows no limits. Our vision is what we become in life.”
When I wrote my first business vision, my life coach told me “you can do better than that” and I knew he was right. So I wrote it again. And this time, I wrote my future story. I wrote about “future Louise.” I was there, in the future, and all of my dreams had come true. I could see it, taste it, feel it, smell it. I wrote out conversations I would be having five years into the future with people on the street, in my office, some who called on the phone. It became real to me. When I read that vision to my team, it evoked deep emotion from them all. I had made it so real, but yet it seemed so impossible. Or was it?
One year later, I read it to them once again. Amazingly, many of the goals which had seemed impossible at the time I wrote the vision—had been accomplished. It’s important to remember that everything that is created is created twice—once mentally and then physically.
And where does that creation come from? Vision.
Tim Enochs in his book “Every Day Is Game Day” describes the four-dimensional vision process:
1) Discovery. This is when you go through the process of opening your heart to your true self and discovering your purpose or reason for your existence. Your vision lies within you right now. It has always been there. Discovery is drawing it out.
2) Development. This is the stage where you write a clear and concise vision statement—or vivid description. This is a portrait of what the future will look like after you achieve your goals.
3) Display. This is how you chart the journey from where you are now to where you want to be.
4) Deployment. Implementing the disciplines which you have identified as keys to your success.
Remember the words of Helen Keller: “The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but no vision.”