How to Get 2020 Vision

I’ve been wearing glasses since I was in the fifth grade, so I can’t exactly give tips on how to improve your vision. Luckily, I’m not talking about that kind of vision. I’m talking about the goal-setting, habit-changing kind.

We have officially entered a new year, a new DECADE! Every year we feel pressured to create a few huge resolutions, but more often than not life happens and our motivation to accomplish those fizzle out. In an attempt to establish our vision for the year, we somehow beat ourselves up if we don’t live up to the expectations we set. I propose that we end this weird pattern. Here are a couple steps how.

1. Set goals

Having two or three huge goals can be really daunting. You might even feel more pressure to achieve them because there are so few. The past couple of years I have sat down and come up with a list of as many goals that I could think of. They range from super silly to more serious. For example, I put “expand vinyl collection” as well as “lose an unhealthy habit.” Writing down a list of goals that are attainable and practical can help lift your spirits. There’s something motivating about being able to check multiple things off a list.

There is, however, another aspect of setting goals. This one is really important. Setting your long-term goals. These typically involve your greatest passion(s). My advice is to start the year—and decade—off by thinking about your absolute wildest dreams. What is something you would do if money or other factors weren’t a restriction?

An easy way to keep your goals relevant in your mind is to write your top 10 goals down somewhere every single day. Try not to look at the goals from the day before. After doing this for a while, you can see which goals you repeatedly wrote down. Those are the ones most important to you.

2. Create a vision board

Not to be dramatic or anything, but vision boards are the best thing since sliced bread. They serve as a visual reminder of what you want to achieve and if you place them strategically, you’ll be looking at your goals every single day. If you’ve never made a vision board, here are some things to think about.

• What is the timeline? Is this a vision board for 2020? For the decade? For your lifetime?
• What do you want to have accomplished? This is going to be the content of your vision board. Are you an aspiring actress? Put a picture of the Golden Globe award on there. Maybe you can put your growth word on there.
• How do you want to set it up? Collage style? Neat squares? Only words? Only pictures? Mix of both? Only academic/professional? Only social? Mix of both?
• What materials are you going to use? You can find old magazines or print pictures/words you want on your board.
  **Tip: I go through magazines page by page and if something speaks to me, I put it on my vision board. (sometimes I have no idea why something speaks to me, but I put it on my vision board anyway because I believe it'll make sense eventually)
• Come up with a growth word for this year. (Optional, but recommended) This is a recurring trait/habit/opportunity you want to focus on or improve. Some examples are: adventure, patience, rest, intentional, etc.

3. Focus on your habits

If you’ve ever been to a college orientation, you have created a S.M.A.R.T. goal. That is, a Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timed goal. Your goals should not be regarded as dreams that only exist in your head. You achieve them through your day-to-day decisions, your habits. Be intentional about what you are saying “yes” and “no” to. Don’t be fooled, because your “no” is more important than your “yes.” In the new year, you can’t simply focus on building new habits—although it is important—because you also have to break bad habits. If you haven’t already, check out one of our previous Thrive Thursday blogs on breaking bad habits.

If you are in a place where you want to make a change in your life, do it. It’s not as intricate and elusive as you might think. Try listening to podcasts, watching YouTube videos, or reading books. Find whatever works best for you.

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” —Helen Keller