2020 Vision

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If there was ever a year to say, "hindsight is 20/20," it is 2020. 

I wouldn't have planned that trip.
I wouldn't have signed that lease.
I wish I'd gone in February. 
I should have waited. 
I should have done it earlier. 
If I had only known...

You get the idea. Hindsight is 20/20 in 2020. 

But, is it really? Or is it just time to cast a new vision? 

According to the American Optometric Association, "20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision) measured at a distance of 20 feet. If you have 20/20 vision, you can see clearly at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. If you have 20/100 vision, it means that you must be as close as 20 feet to see what a person with normal vision can see at 100 feet. Having 20/20 vision does not necessarily mean you have perfect vision. 20/20 vision only indicates the sharpness or clarity of vision at a distance." 

Since most of us did not have "vision acuity" for the year we have had so far in 2020, maybe this is a good time to create a new vision given what we now know. 

Having a personal vision statement allows you to feel more clarity in decision making, feel tethered to a purpose, and provides a sense of priority for how you spend your precious time. 

Crafting a Personal Vision Statement

In the 1990's Stephen Covey helped us begin to create personal vision statements, these questions are adapted from his book First Things First. 

1. Who do you want to be?

  • What do you traits do you value most in a person? 

  • What strengths of character do you want to display?

  • What do you admire in others?

  • What qualities do you want to develop?


2. What do you want to do?

  • What do you love to do?

  • What activities feed your soul?

  • What do you want to accomplish?

  • What contribution do you want to make?


3. What do you want to have?

  • What is your definition of success?

  • What possessions are most important to you?

  • What freedoms are most important to you?

  • What brings to you a sense of inner peace?


4. Review your answers to these questions and create one or two sentences that summarize your personal vision. 

  • Memorize your statement and post it on your mirror, phone wallpaper, or computer home screen. 

  • Revisit this statement often and allow it to guide your decisions about how you spend your time.

  • When you feel lost or questioning your purpose, return to this statement of vision to finding meaning and purpose in your life. 

Here are some resources that might help you in this exercise:

Feel free to change your vision periodically. I find that different chapters of life require new or revised vision statements. We thrive when we are growing and stretching, so allow your vision to grow you at the same time it serves the world. 

If you are a person of faith, this can be a beautiful conversation with God. Who do you feel God would have you to be? What might God be calling you to do? How might you be used to serve others? 

I've talked with many of you about feeling that this downtime is a reset for you spiritually, mentally, and with families. This summer, allow yourself to cast a new vision for your life given what you have learned in the last two months. What is most important to you? Do you feel there is something you must do with your life? What would make you feel most alive? What is the most free and true version of yourself? Who do you want to be? What do you want to do? 

Set aside some time to consider where you are headed from here. Cast your vision. You get to decide what is next for you. And, I am here to support and encourage you to believe in yourself every step of the way! 

Sending you love and peace,