Visioning for the New Year

Each January, we get a shiny new year without any dings or baggage or grime if we so choose.  We get to decide what will serve us in the new year and beyond and what is no longer working for us. In reality, this can be done every day, hour and moment, but the new year is a significant opportunity for many to take a breath and begin again.  Sometimes it can be overwhelming to decide what we want in the future and what will serve us on our journey to reach our goals and dreams.  Having a clear vision of where you are going can help to clarify your path. Here are four ways to see your vision and the tools you will need. 

Visualization Meditation: This can be done with either a guided meditation, or a self directed meditation with the intention of seeing your life where you want it to be.  These meditations often start with relaxation and a detachment from distractions and everyday todo lists and obligations. Once the mind is relaxed and present, the meditation is directed towards seeing your life as you want it to be, without limitations, as if all your goals, wants, and dreams are reality.  The more detail you can see, the better.  Once this vision is in place, often the steps needed to get to that vision and the tools you will need are clear.  Here is a great article on how to do self guided visualization.  Many audio for guided meditations, like this one , can be found online. 

Image credit to The Better Parenting Institute 

Vision Boards can be a great tool for those that need a more concrete and tactile method of seeing the details laid out.  The general idea is to do a collage of all the things you want in life using either cut outs of images or compiling images digitally on one page, using an app like Pinterest for example. There does not have to be an order or method to how images are laid out and the images do not even need to make sense. If you are drawn to something, and it gives you a positive feeling or vibe, then include it.  Once you have all that you want on your board, often, you will naturally be directed towards understanding the steps you need to take to get to that vision for yourself. 

Image Credit: Biggerplate.com

Vision Map is a more direct tool that includes both imagery and words or written steps under the categories of your life you have a desire to change.  In the center of the board, you place the core values or properties you want for yourself and from there you draw outward to link to multiple parts that make up your life; career, relationships, faith, Health, hobbies, etc.  Under each of those categories, you can list details for goals within those categories and if you choose, steps to get there. 

Free flow writing is a method that works well for those with a less visually driven brain.  For this exorcise, you are encouraged to set a specific amount of time (usually between 30min to an hour) and just write without stopping. There are no rules, grammar and spelling do not matter and the writing does not need to make sense or have purpose. It is meant to get you into the flow of conciusness and record that flow. Some find it is easier to type this out,  but studies do show that writing by hand tends to tap into the conscious flow more organically. 

All of these methods can be used together in any combination for goals and visions large or small. Their qualities each tap into a different part of the conscious and allow access to information that is often difficult to see clearly becasue of the day to day load of activity and task directed thought.   

I am committing to doing one or more of the above activities to find my vision for myself for the next year and beyond and documenting the journey of the next year here. Please share your thoughts and experiences with the above or other methods below in the comments section. 

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