Wednesday, April 25, 2012

V is for Vision


Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18

What's your vision?

When I started CollegePlus, one of the first things they had me do was complete a little workbook called Life Purpose Planning. The purpose of that workbook was to help me find my purpose in life (goodness, this could have been the post for "P.")

It asked questions like:

What do you most enjoy doing when you have an hour of free time?
What are you naturally good at?
What areas do people typically ask you for help in?
If you could pick one job that you would never, ever, want to do, what would it be?

It was written to help students who are starting college to discover their interests, to decide which degree choice or field of work would be best for them, and to express what they wanted to do with their life. After the workbook was completed, it asked me to write a vision statement.

It felt a little odd, writing a vision statement for my life, but it really helped me to see more clearly what I wanted to do with it. And having a set goal made me feel less like I was wasting my life. More like I had a game plan. I wasn't drifting aimlessly with vaguely defined goals anymore.

I had a purpose.


What's your purpose, your mission in life? In other words, why are you here?


Answering this question is important not only for college but for all of life, and for all vocations and situations.

For college students, it's important to know what you want to do with yourself, with your life. You don't want to waste four years of college for a degree in a field you don't like and will never use. Know your purpose.

For writers, it's essential to have an idea of why you're writing. And this is not about audience - who you're writing for. It's about the reason you pick up a pen each and every day and put words on paper. It's about the goal you're working towards. Why choose writing over any other field of work? And what do you want to accomplish by writing? How do you want to be remembered? Why?

For bloggers, this is also a question you can ask. Why am I blogging? Who am I blogging for? Does this blog convey the message I want it to convey? Writing a vision statement for your blog might be a good idea if you're struggling with finding your message.

And of course, for anyone, regardless of age or interest, it's good to think about why you're here. I understand, however, that the answer will be different for those (like me) who believe that they were placed on this earth by an omnipotent and loving God, and for those who believe they are the product of a cosmic accident.



I believe the only true way, the only true purpose in life is that which glorifies God. That not only influences my vision, it is my vision.

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me save that Thou art.

Have you ever written a vision statement? If you could write one, what are some goals you would include in it? Do you feel like you have a vision for your life? For your writing? For your blog?

Let me know by commenting!

10 comments:

  1. Also, I think your purpose can change as you age, and the things you thought were so important, are not that important any more. Thoughtful post.

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  2. I have a writing vision, for sure. I want to entertain, but I also want to be real. I had such a hard time as a teenager; I wish so much I'd read books about kids with the same kinds of problems. There were some, sure, but they were few and far between and often avoided directly talking about the scary stuff.

    That's my vision - tell stories that help someone see the light at the end of whatever tunnel they're in.

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  3. LOVE Proverbs 29:18. Right now my vision is to finish my W.I.P.

    ScribblesFromJenn
    Happy A to Z-ing!

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  4. Love this post! Indeed, having a clear idea, especially when it's put into words, about your mission and your purpose in whatever you're doing--in your life as a whole, essentially, is a great perspective-maker. At my job they gave us the Covey 7 Habits seminar, and we had to write our mission statement. Wow--that was some session. So many things became clear, so many things changed. At the end of the session, instead of going back to my desk for a few hours as planned, I rushed home and *baked*. If you knew me, you'd know how impossible that is--I was unravelling, but in a positive way. I baked shortbread cookies for four hours, and brought them to the seminar the next morning. "They're mission statement cookies," I explained. Everyone laughed--they got it.

    Thanks for a great post!

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  5. Wow. I wish I'd done something like that when I started college. Would have saved me a lot of depression, and I would have studied something I was actually interested in.

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  6. What a great post!

    Having vision in our lives and keeping perspective is definitely one of those things that is easy to lose track of in the busy-ness of our lives. Thanks for the reminder. :)

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  7. Loverofwords - Very true. Your vision statement can change as you get older. :)

    Daisy - That's a great vision statement. I hope you definitely accomplish it.

    Jenn - Proverbs 29:18 has always been one of my favorites. Finish WiP - that's part of my vision right now, too!

    Guilie - Mission statement cookies - nice. :) Yes, putting your life in perspective is incredibly important. But most people don't even think about it....

    Iliadfan - I wish every college student had to do something like this. CollegePlus is trying to help students avoid the pitfalls that others face.

    Kristi - You're welcome! You're right, life can get busy and you can get caught up in the little details. A vision statement can help you keep your eye on the big things. :)

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  8. My vision is to share the awesome possibilities available to us in our lives through my writing. Blog on!

    http//francene-wordstitcher.blogspot.com/

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  9. first, love your header!
    why are we here? you nailed it beautifully! to glorify God! its the leat we can do!
    and inspiring others with our talents is a wonderful way to do that =)

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  10. Very thought provoking. I was once told that all writers write the same basic theme, just with different plots and characters. Mine is "Love Heals In The Gardens of the Heart." I think having a clear vision helps anyone in any endeavor. Otherwise, how will you know where you're going? So easy to be influenced by others, and not enough by your own inner muse.

    Being realistic is important too. But without action, desire is just a dream.

    New follower here. Would love the same!

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Thoughts?

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