If you’re looking to create a vision of where you want to be, either because you’re working on a goal or you’re going through change, here are some tips.
- Do you have a common vision or purpose
I’ve used this technique when coaching leaders, integrated it into team planning, and introduced it at home when looking to bring about moving from one state of emotion to another.
When going through change or looking to set up a refreshed vision; gaining alignment on your values, beliefs and purpose as a team or as an individual is the first starting point.
Let me introduce you to the ‘Pick and Mix’ people deck!
Purpose becomes shared when we find commonalities between our values, beliefs and aspirations and those of others and join forces to work towards a common goal.
This helps to tap into where you are today and where you want to be in the future.
What are you values in terms of what do you stand for?
What do you want to achieve and be known for?
Ok – let’s go.
Spread the deck out on the table.
You’ll see lots of heads, bodies and feet.
Ask the individual / team or member of your family, where is your head at the moment?
It is all over the place and feeling scatty?
How are you behaving?
What are your values?
What do you believe at the moment?
Pick a head card.
How is your body feeling?
Do you have all the tools I need to your job?
Do you feel a little battered and in need of some care?
Are you calm and in control?
Pick a body card.
Where do you want to be in terms of your feet and your body as a whole?
Are feeling a little grounded but limping?
Do you lack direction?
Are you firm and grounded?
Pick a feet card.
Now take a photo of the person you’ve created and summarise where you are today.
Next – mix up the cards again and repeat the exercise for the person, team goal or even emotion you want to be or represent in the future.
At the end of this exercise, you’ll have a clear view of where you are today, and identified where you want to be in the future. You might also have an action plan to fill in the gaps towards achieving your future focus.
Photo of where you are today
Photo of where you are going – future
If you’re using this technique at home – it helps to bring clarity and agreement on how you want to be as a family or how to handle a particular situation.
- How are you setting your priorities?
Make your main priorities clear, and aim to stick to them. In change and flux, having clear priorities means you’re able to manage your time and expectations of those around you. - What’s your time management like?
You might have a habit of taking on too much at work and at home, perhaps because you don’t want to let people down. Learn to be realistic about your time and what is possible. Have a look around your team at work and at home, how can you delegate and where can you ask for help? - How can you accept things for what they are?
It is tricky sometimes to accept things as are they are or recognise that a situation is out of your control. There is theory based on the locus of control which looks at what can you control, what can you influence and what isn’t in either your control or influence. Focusing on what you can control and influence rather than worrying about what you can’t means you’re putting your energy and focus into what you can change. - How can you see change as a challenge?
Change can cause real stress especially when you feel negative about it. After the initial shock or grumpiness of what you’re going through – look to shift your perspective. Reframing is a technique used to see a different way. Redundancy or a new job, could for example, be seen as a new beginning.
