Dream catcher - a guide to shaping your life vision

Do you have ideas, passion and a purpose you want to realise? Catch up on your dreams and bring them to life by creating your personal vision statement.

What is a vision statement?

A personal vision statement is a declaration of what you want your life to be about. It can include how you want to live, what you stand for, your strengths, what you want to accomplish and the broader impact you want to have on the world. It can have a personal or professional focus, although often the two are intimately entwined and difficult to separate.

What can a vision statement do for you?

Establishing a personal vision statement can provide you with:

• A grounding statement that helps you connect with who you are, your values and strengths and how you want to be in the world.
• A sense of meaning and direction in life, even when times are tough
• Clarity around your short and long term life goals
• A starting point to create clear goals and actionable steps toward your vision
• A guide for decision making 
• Accountability for your choices and actions
• A feeling of equanimity, or a balanced mind

How do I write my vision statement?

Writing a vision statement is a personal process, and each person’s statement is unique to them. It may take any form you choose – your own words, images, poetry, song lyrics, a quote. The idea is to keep it short and memorable (although it may start as a long form that you refine and distil down to its essence).

When writing your vision, draw on your values, strengths and resources. What is it that energises and motivates you? What makes life feel meaningful to you? Dream big, the pragmatic part of you can get air time when you come to setting goals and action steps to move you closer to your vision.

Processes you could experiment with.

If you want a process prompt to get you started try one or more of the processes below. Put aside 10-20 minutes to complete each activity. If you get stuck, take a break and come back to it with fresh eyes and energy.

1. Write a letter from the future 

Imagine yourself in the future and looking back over your life. Imagine that you have lived an ideal life, not without its challenges but one that leaves you feeling proud and content.

Write a letter to yourself describing your proudest moments, biggest challenges and greatest successes. What is it that you admire or appreciate most about the way you lived, the connections you created and what you achieved?

2. Highlights Reel 

Brainstorm the highlights reel of your life so far. Once you have your list, go back over them and see if you can unpack what they have in common and what makes them significant or meaningful for you?

3. My Top Three 

List and describe your top three [follow links for more information]:

• Values
• Strengths
• Interests

4. Reflection questions

Pick one or many of the questions below and write your responses – don’t think too hard, just whatever comes to mind. You could also recruit a friend and take turns asking each other these questions and document what stands out to you as you listen.

• What have you done since you were a child that still gives you a lot of satisfaction?
• In which activities do you feel fully energised and alive?
• What do others admire about you or compliment you on?
• What core values drive your behaviour and choices each day?
• How do you want to be remembered by those that matter most to you?
• Who do you admire or feel inspired by and why?
• What people or community would you most like to have an impact on?
• What five words would a close friend use to describe you?
• What brings you joy or contentment?
• How do you want other people to feel in your presence?
• What do you just love to do?

Examples of vision statements