“Tell me what is it you plan to do with one wild and precious life” ~ Mary Oliver ~
It’s the end of the year and a big one for our family. Our eldest son has just finished school, gone off to Schoolies and about to embark on a whole new exciting adventure in life.
As a mother, I am incredibly excited for the road he has ahead. The people he will meet, the opportunities he will be presented and the lessons he will learn. At the same time I’m a little nervous… Is he ready to stand on his own two feet? To live away from home, cook his own meals, wash his own clothes, live on a budget, juggle a job, Uni and social freedom???”
Being a teenage boy, these are small concerns and at present not high on his list of priorities.
So the question is – “How can I best support him to be somewhat ready to fly the nest?” and even more importantly “How can he best, make the most of this incredible life he’s been given?”
In saying that “How can we all get the most out of our wild and precious lives?”
I truly believe a key tool to creating future happiness and success lies in PLANNING.
In order to draft a strategic plan you must first get a Clear Vision of where you are heading.
After all “if you don’t know where you’re going you’ll certainly get there” ~Anonymous~
One of the best ways to develop a clear vision is to write a Vision Statement.
A Vision Statement is the anchor point of any plan and is designed to inspire your hopes and dreams for the future. It outlines what you would like to ultimately achieve and gives you and your goals purpose.
It should be written in the present tense as though it has already happened. A good vision statement is short, simple and specific to you, leaves nothing open to interpretation, is ambitious and aligned with your values.
How do you write a vision statement?
Choose an area in your life you’d like to develop or an outcome you’d like to achieve…
Your ideal – job, partner, home, body, family..
* Make a list of characteristic’s you admire in yourself and in others ….Confidence, honesty, fun loving, vibrant, decisive…
* Make “I” and present tense statements around the topic you choose in (1) and the characteristic’s you admire or want to develop in (2). For example
- Who am I – I am a fun loving, vibrant and enthusiastic…
- What I do – I help others to… I attract into my life…. I build…
- How I do it – I do it with ease, honesty, excellence and love…
- Who I do it with – I am surrounded by fun, positive, supportive, talented caring people…
- How am I rewarded for my efforts – With gratitude, respect, love, generous financial rewards…
- Give Thanks at the end – Thank you God / Universe for providing for me once again…
I am incredibly grateful for all these gifts life has given me…
Put it all together into a statement so that it flows easy for you.
My vision statement for supporting my son to be ready to fly the nest!!
“I am an incredibly patient, caring and fun Mum who is lovingly supporting and coaching her son to develop high levels of organisation, independence and household skills that are allowing him to flourish away from home.
Because of his new found skills he is confident and excited about sharing a flat with other caring and fun loving young people who share similar values and skills.
The time we have spent together has been incredibly rewarding for both of us, as our connection has allowed us to develop a deeper understanding, love and respect for each other.
Thank you God / Universe for providing for us once again”
Creating a Vision statement aligned with your values is the first stage of developing a plan.
Setting goals and drawing up steps ( a strategic plan) to get there is the next stage.
Along the way you may decide to change your goals and need to alter your strategic plan however always remember to stick to your vision and keep it Big.
Oprah Winfrey says…
“Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe”
To help you on your journey into 2019 and in keeping with the intent of this article we recommend a great program which walks you through the process of visioning called ‘Discover You’ Check it out here: discoveryou.questtransformativecoaching.com
Sally
