If I would ask you: “What is your vision statement for your life?”, would you be able to answer me immediately?

Yes? No?

Do you think answers like: “I want to be rich”, “I want to be successful”, “I want to make an impact”, “I want to be the best in what I do” are vision statements? Or are they a result of the hard work trying to achieve your vision?

What is a vision statement?

A vision statement is a memorable and inspirational summary that describes our reason for existence as a person.

Don’t we all want to know our reason for existence? But who will tell us?

Only YOU can create your vision statement.

The whole idea of this article is to get you on your way to create your vision statement.

Why?

Researchers confirm that when people have a vision statement:

• It’s easier to make big life decisions around pursuing passions, long-term career goals, and relationships.
• They are less likely to engage in destructive thought patterns, especially in difficult life situations.
• They tolerate physical pain more easily.
• They have greater self-discipline and focus when studying or working.
• Social connections are stronger.

I have created my own vision statement and it really helps getting you through difficult circumstances. Do you know the feeling of “My gut tells me this is wrong”? If you have a vision statement, you can easily affirm whether you “gut” is right or wrong.

I would like to introduce 3 terms that can assist you.

Impact Memories, Impact Identities, Impact Interests

Impact memories

Let’s start with your childhood memories. And I’m not talking about “I remember I fell off my bicycle” or “I said I wanted to be a fireman when I was 4 years old”.

I’m talking about memories that really made an impact. These memories are a positive emotional reaction that’s embedded in your brain.

I personally think that your transitional teenage years, these can be anything from 10 yrs old to 25 yrs old, are the years where you should look for your impact memories.

E.g.

1. During spring or summer breaks at university, you always went on holiday by hitchhiking, without a cent in your bank account and pulled off some stunts like Benji jumping, parachuting and rock climbing. (value of being adventurous)
2. You always took the lead in teamwork. (value of being a leader)
3. When reading or watching something that seemed interesting, you always wanted to know more. (value of being inquisitive)

Impact identities

My Impact memories have guided me to define my values. And my values lead to my impact identities. It’s an identity because, in almost all cases, it describes who you are.

E.g.

1. Somebody that has the value of being adventurous can have the impact identity of being a daredevil
2. Somebody that has the value of leadership can have the impact identity of being an entrepreneur
3. Somebody that has the value of being inquisitive can have the impact identity of being a researcher

Impact interests

I belief that you find your values quite early in life and only when you’re a bit older you will understand what connects them all, which brings us to impact interests.

Interests are something that excites your curiosity or attention. Interests are different from values in that values are your personal principles found in your impact identities. Interests get you excited about something and inspire you to take action. You will use your values to guide you as you pursue your interests.

E.g:

1. You are a daredevil = Impact identity; You love to rock climb = Impact interest
2. You are an entrepreneur = Impact identity; You love to teach = Impact interest
3. You are a researcher = Impact identity; You love to research ways to make rock climbing safer = Impact interest.

Your impact identity is always much broader than you Impact interest.

So; Coming back to your vision statement, your reason for existence:

Name your impact identities (Your WHY) and fulfill them through your impact interests (Your HOW).

Taking the examples from above:

Vision statement:

I strive to be a daredevil, as well as an entrepreneur and a researcher to improve the safety of rock climbers globally, by teaching the safety techniques I developed through my dedicated research and personal experience.

Isn’t this better than: “I want to make an impact.”? 

Your vision statement evolves, as your interests grow. You can re-write your vision statement at any time. Your Values and you Impact Identities will stay the same but your Impact Interests grow broader as you get older.

You can also extend your Vision Statement with a Mission statement. Your mission statement is your plan on HOW you will realize your Vision statement and WHAT you need to do.

You can create different vision statements for different aspects in your life: e.g. Personal vision statement, Family vision statement, Professional vision statement. The above is just one example, now it’s your turn.