Your premise is your vision, this is what guides you in everything you do. It is essential to understand where you are headed. Not only for yourself but for those around you. If we do not have a clear premise we are unable to convey our vision to those around us. Hard work alone will not get us to where we want to be. You may climb the mountain, once you get to the top all you can do is go back down. Essentially you just went for a hike. Understanding your vision is what makes your goal sustainable. A vision is a dream with a plan. The trick is creating the plan and having the vision to stick to it. Without the vision, you will not be consistent in implementing the plan. The reason is because without vision we do not care enough to do what it takes to accomplish our goal. In the face of adversity or struggle our motivation will run out. There is no magic bullet or quick fix. People love to try to sell an easy answer. We are inclined to look for the shortcut or the big break. It is not our fault, it is what we are taught through society. Ask anyone who has been successful in life- long term, and they will have a bundle of failures. It was the vision that kept them, and their team going.
The fundamental aspect of vision is where you are going. In this we are in part, speaking in tangible terms such as fiscal goals and physical location, of course these are to be considered in any plan in regards to practicality. In the end, this is not what is going to sustain your goal. It has to be based on the question, who do I want to be? If you already know who you are, that is a great start. Most of us don’t. The act of introspection is never ending. This is the beauty and the curse of growth. Just when you reach the peak and think you have submitted, you find another incline waiting for you. The reality in life is most people do not want to take a breath on the ledge, and continue climbing. It is hard. It would be much easier to say, “I did it.” and begin your descent. Most people want to live a life that is more of a rolling hills type scenario as this requires far less stamina and resilience. That is perfectly ok, for some. For those of us who are willing to do what it takes in the short term to gain our vision in the long term, are the ones who will continue our ascent. It is a choice, just as everything in life. So I want you to ask yourself. Who do you want to be?
Creating vision is a premise that relies on two parts: Your core values and trusting your instincts.
People are going to tell you that you are wrong. You are going to be misunderstood and told to try something else. I can’t tell you how many times I have been told to give up with the growth stuff. It is too “vague.” It is not something people understand. You will make people uncomfortable with your vision in the beginning. When I first started on my personal growth journey my husband and father got together on separate continents to stage an intervention. I had to be firm in what I saw for myself. What I saw, and see clearer as each day passes, are the things that make me too“weird”, “loud”, “aggressive”, and “bold” are the very things that are my greatest assets in life. You are not wrong. My core values are tied to everything that I do. Yours must be too. This is not something we figure out overnight. It is a process. Remember, the climb. Often, the times we stop on the ledge to take a rest are where we have the greatest breakthroughs.
Stand strong in your vision. You are the only one who can see it. Eventually other people will see it too. That should not be your primary concern. If it is truly your vision that will be a secondary product of what you set out to do, not a primary motivation.
Understanding and creating your vision comes from within you. I am certain you do not have all the answers today. I certainly do not. It will evolve, it will grow and it will adapt. As will you. What you have to remember is that it is your job to stay connected. To create the premise for your goals by maintaining your vision along the way. I can’t tell you what your vision is, only you can know that. What I can tell you is that once you see it, no one can take it away from you and that is your superpower.