User Post: 10 Principles to Living Your Vision Statement.

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 http://shine.yahoo.com/event/vitality/user-post-10-principles-to-living-your-vision-statement-2481044/;_ylt=AocY20mzxTumJq_4PJQ.VomifqU5

by Melissa Evans, on Thu May 5, 2011 3:04pm PDT

Susan Ward said, “A vision statement is sometimes called a vision of your company in the future but it’s so much more than that. Your vision statement is your inspiration…it articulates your hopes and dreams…It reminds you of what you are trying to build. Let your imagination go and dare to dream…it’s important that a vision statement captures your passion.”

A vision statement can encompass all areas of your life. A vision statement of where you want to go in your professional life may include embarking on a certain career path or achieving specific targets in your own business. A vision statement of where you want to go in your personal life may include spending more time at home with your family, taking regular family vacations, or devoting more time to leisure activities and hobbies.

Here are 10 guiding principles for living your vision statement and achieving success in your career:

·      Achieve your own success. Whatever opportunity you choose to take, pick three things you want to accomplish within your organization. Pick things you know will make a difference within the organization, shoot high and then stay focused on those things.

·      Always be a professional. Being a professional is not about knowing everything, it’s about being credible. If you don’t know, make a point of finding out and then follow up the query. Always dress appropriately and look your best. When you’re part of a team, allow others to take credit where credit is due, you don’t have to act like you did everything.

·      Keep texture in your life. Don’t set your sights on being a one-dimensional figure and don’t be too serious about your work. It may be your vision to be the best accountant in the world, but remember that people may prefer to be around an accountant who also enjoys cooking or music.

·      Surround yourself with positive and forward thinking people. No one survives alone. Find yourself a mentor and also be a mentor. Whether you are the mentor or the mentee, you will grow through the experience.

·      Encourage don’t criticize. Always look for ways to encourage others in their work. An individual may not be right for one particular position or department within the company but their skills may allow them to shine in another.

·      Don’t be over-technical. Even when you work in a technical environment, always talk to people using appropriate language and avoid being over-technical. Tell your clients what they need to know, not what you know. It’s not about the technology, it’s about how the technology can improve their lives.

·      Be an effective communicator. Communication is key. Recognize that communication can be non-verbal as well as verbal and develop your abilities to communicate effectively on all levels.

·      Keep moving. Realize there’s no such thing as a set back. If it doesn’t work out, move on to the next thing. Stay on the high frequency, not the low frequency and understand that timing is everything.

·      Live by principles. The world is constantly changing. It’s not always about the money or the promotions. In difficult economic times, a sideways step within a company can still represent progress as you develop new skills or gain the opportunity to help others to develop theirs. Consider volunteering in different positions to add to your skill set.

·      Always be true to yourself. Never sacrifice more than you can afford to lose. Always go with the things that keep you close to your purpose and to who you really are. Your work should always be a win-win.

There is no limit to what you can accomplish, it’s simply a matter of how you formulate your vision. When you understand your soul purpose, you understand your destiny in terms of why you are here and who it is you are here to serve by using your gifts.