Stretch Beyond a One-Year Vision

Here we are, almost at the start of a brand-new year! I had such a great year in 2011 and I hope you did too. I’m also really excited for the new year and to share with you the one thing I have been doing every year in my business since I started. I believe it’s because of this one thing that my income has always exceeded my previous year’s income. It’s very simple to do an and should only take you an hour two and with the weekend coming up, you’ll have plenty of time to do this assignment.

This is about projecting what you would like to have happen in the next year but we’re going stretch further than just making New Year’s resolutions or stating income goals. The best way to stretch so much bigger than you normally would it to create a 3-year vision for your life. Why a 3-year vision? Because a year plan makes us really self-conscious with worry that we won’t have enough time to make things happen.

Imagine that it’s December 31, 2014—three years from now.  You’re sitting down and you’re looking over the past three years. Begin a journal entry that says, “I am so happy and grateful now that over the past three years I have accomplished…” I want you to really map out what you would like to see your life be like exactly three years from today. Three years allows you to be a little less inhibited and more realistic (but still with a bit of a stretch…) Instead of thinking, “Oh, can I really get this done, “ when you have a period of three years, you actually let your mind open up to what might be possible if you have the time, the focus and the concentration to get these things done.

Your Video Assignment

Take out your journal or a piece of paper. You can journal in categories but include what you want to have happen over the next three years in your business, finances, personal life, relationships, family, spirituality, fun, health, fitness. Remember, this isn’t about goals because goals are more like “should have’s”. Write in the present tense what it’s like to live this vision. What does it look like, taste like, feel like? How do you feel inside? What are your surroundings? Where do you live? Who do you spend your time with? What do you do in your business? What do you no longer do in your business? How much money are you making?

All that good stuff—be sure to write it in the present tense. For example, “It’s so amazing to see what has happened in the last three years since I saw Fabienne’s video about creating my 3-year vision. I am now living in A,” or “My business is now like this,” or “I now have x clients,” all of that good stuff! Fill it in with imagery, lots of details and when you read it, it should start getting you a bit excited.  (If it doesn’t get your heart beating a little faster or make you a little nervous then you might not be stretching big enough.)

Don’t worry about the how! Just start writing. The key is to be in that feeling place and include as many details as possible. Then you’re going to take action on it in the coming year. The interesting thing is that when I do this exercise, I usually reach my vision within 1 ½ to 2 years—sometimes even faster! Pretty cool, right?

Lastly, share your vision! Share what you’ve written with your spouse, partner, team, and family. This is how you’re going to reach different levels of your business, different levels of your income and deep personal satisfaction in your personal life.

This is going to be the best year yet—for you, for me, for everybody—especially if you do this assignment. Happy New Year, everyone! Wishing you all the very best in 2012.