Having a lack of purpose or being directionless isn’t a healthy way to live. Without vision, people lose the vitality that makes them feel alive.
Vision is the glue that keeps us on track to accomplish our goals. It affects every part of our life, and influences every decision we make. It gives us a reason to wake up in the morning, and it fills us with a passion to seize the day.
Vison allows us to think about the future with both imagination and wisdom, which lets us live your life in freedom through restraint. Sometimes limitations bring the most freedom.
If you were asked to create an art piece using any medium, method and style, you might have to sit and think for a while before you got started. But, if you were asked to paint something on a canvas using only blue and red acrylic paint and one brush, you would probably be able to clearly see your limitations and work within them. Creativity needs boundaries. Our lives need boundaries. Vision creates boundaries for our lives that direct and lead us with purpose — when we know where we are going, we are no longer lost.
Andrew Brand | Argonaut
Patrick Hill, an assistant professor of psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, defines having a sense of purpose as something like a compass or lighthouse that provides an overarching aim and direction in our day-to-day lives.
“It’s not exactly clear how purpose might benefit health. Purposeful individuals may simply lead healthier lives. But it also could be that a sense of purpose protects against the harmful effects of stress,” Hill says.
Vision creates purpose in our lives. Vision is different from goals and distinct from resolutions. There’s more to it than just having ambition and it’s not only about making firm decisions. Vision is something that changes you. Vision is the “why.” It’s the reasoning behind the decisions you make.
Vision gives us the perseverance to keep going despite how difficult or repetitive life gets. It cultivates faith. Only vision can give a purpose to your pain, which enables you to endure it and reach your goals.
Even companies recognize the power of vision — a brand is simply a vision united by stories. Apple was founded on the vision of redefining expectations. The “Think different” slogan encompassed this idea by breaking free from what was currently thought to be possible with technology, and through it they released fresh creativity. Nike’s vision is to inspire every person to be the best they can be — everyone is an athlete.
Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others. When it is made visible, it can change us.
Sometimes the best way to find your vision is to partner with someone else’s. Every time we open our hearts to learn from those who are different, our vision will increase.
What is a dream you have? Why do you want to pursue that? And, most importantly, what are you going to do about it?
Life is brief. Don’t wait for tomorrow. Find your vision, because there is purpose waiting for you.
Andrew Brand can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @theandrewbrand