Published: 12/29/24
As the New Year approaches, it is a natural time to set goals for the coming year. Before diving into the goal setting process, consider writing a “Wellness Vision” to ensure the goals you establish are indeed moving you in a direction consistent with what you value most. This week’s Focus Point defines what a Wellness Vision is and provides tips for how to write and use one.
A Wellness Vision details what we want our lives to look like in the categories of physical, mental and emotional health. Having a specific vision in writing provides both clarity and direction when establishing goals. Without this clear vision, well-intentioned efforts can be misdirected, leading to frustration. The Wellness Vision we create for ourselves is the “top of the pyramid”. When our goals, commitments and habits are consistent with achieving this vision, we will experience success and a heightened sense of well-being.
While documenting your Wellness Vision may seem daunting, the process is simple. Remember that there is no right or wrong way to do it. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Consider when you were in the best shape of your life. What did “healthy and happy” feel like? Did you feel strong when participating in activities of daily life? Were you flexible enough to get on and off the floor easily? Did the food you ate leave you feeling energized? Did you feel refreshed upon awaking in the morning? Add these to your Wellness Vision to remind you of how rewarding it feels to be in good health.
- Imagine what life would be like if you exercised regularly, ate well, slept well, and made an emotional deposit with a loved one every day for an entire year. How would your body, mind and spirit feel at the end of that year? Detail what you imagine that might feel like.
- Consider the consequences of poor wellness choices and work backwards from there. For example, if your health/wellness is failing due to “work commitments”, an important part of your Wellness Vision could include; “To be somebody who follows through on personal commitments regardless of external pressures. It is okay to put my oxygen mask on first.”
- Write freely. Don’t worry about grammar, just put your thoughts down.
- Remember that this is a living document that will change over time. Write what inspires you today.
After developing your Wellness Vision, you can begin creating goals that are consistent with that vision. After establishing those goals, you can create new strategies to make your vision a reality.
Here are a few examples:
| Wellness Vision | Goal | Commitment | Daily Habit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Be able to play with my active grandchildren | Be in the habit of exercise | Exercise 5x per week | Change into workout clothes after work |
| Live a serene life | Be in the habit of self-reflection | Daily journaling | Put my journal and pen next to me while I drink my first cup of coffee in the morning |
| Show gratitude for my health by giving my body the nutrition necessary to thrive | Eat a balanced diet that supports weight loss | Eating less at dinner | Drink a glass of water after finishing my first serving at dinnertime, then decide if I’m hungry for a second serving |
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Having a well-defined Wellness Vision is a powerful tool for creating change that is both meaningful and timeless. Use it as a roadmap to successfully live the long, healthy and happy life you deserve.
