Your vision is a guiding light that provides your business with an internal compass so you can stay focused on what is most important to you and your business. It’s future-focused and encompasses the values, philosophy, purpose, and priorities for goal setting in your business. It’s more than just a thought or mental picture of your business, a vision is a living statement that should inspire and motivate you and your team. To really bring your vision to life, start with creating a vision statement.
A vision reveals the heart of a business and gives meaning to your ‘why’. It provides a sense of purpose, value, and passion to your overall business objectives.
Vision statement vs. mission statement
The purpose of a vision statement is to help you work towards achieving your overall vision. It brings clarity to your small business. It sets the direction for goal setting and influences strategic business planning for entrepreneurs. Unlike a mission statement, a vision statement is an internal document intended for the business owner and team members.
While your clients don’t have to read your vision statement, your mission statement is the reality your clients experience. No mission statement? No problem. Try our free mission statement generator. It’s fast, free and easy.
A vision statement also helps you make strategic decisions regarding your energy, money, and time when goal setting. It’s a lot easier to stay focused and committed when you’re clear on your overall why and the impact you have in the world.
Here are a few steps you can follow to get you started with creating your own vision statement.
Clarify your why
What is the end result of your vision and what’s your motivation to do something that’s bigger than yourself?
Your vision can start with what you believe and why you do what you do. Try starting your statement with the words “I envision…”
Allow yourself to think without any inhibitions and let your thoughts flow freely. This process is really about visualizing your ideal life, business, or organization and the impact you want to make.
Define your core values
When manifesting your vision, think about how you do what you do and the values behind how your business operates that makes you unique.
If you have a strategic plan or content pillars, review them and determine what values you are communicating through your content or in your strategic plan. Define if those values are authentic to you.
Think futuristic to focus your goal setting
Your vision statement is not about the here and now of your business, it’s about the future and where you want to be.
Where do you want your business to be in the next 3-5 years? Think about what your business will look like. You may desire to build a team, become a full-service agency with employees or contractors, or continue to be a solo entrepreneur.
Think big and boldly about your business’ future. Your vision doesn’t have to conform to a timeline. So be ambitious and have fun dreaming up your ideal world that your business gets to impact. These thoughts and plans will focus your goal setting.
Define the impact you want to make
Your impact is like your signature. It’s unique and specific. Your impact is not the same as the product or service your provide. It’s the outcome of the product or service that changes a person’s life or business.
Think about what your client achieves or what you want them to achieve as a result of working with you.
Once you’ve given some thoughts to the vision of your business, write down all your thoughts and begin to craft your signature statement. When doing so, try to keep it concise and don’t overthink it.
An example of a really great vision statement is IKEA, ‘To create a better everyday life for many people.’
Their vision statement doesn’t mention retail or furniture, but emphasizes the impact they want to make with their customers.
Want a peek inside my vision statement: ‘Kairos Coaching & Consulting will be a full-service enterprise helping women, entrepreneurs, and leaders to build prosperous lives.’
Review your vision statement often
If you do quarterly strategic business planning, then that is a great time to review your vision statement to keep it alive and fresh in your mind when goal setting. Don’t be afraid to modify it as your business grows and evolves. It’s perfectly ok to rewrite so that it feels in alignment with you and motivates you to reach your goals and make the impact you want to make.
Want to set yourself up for success? Get our ultimate guide on business goal setting.
