First, decide what you want your vision statement to convey. Your vision statement should include elements regarding yourself, your business, and society as a whole. In addition, ask yourself - Is this vision statement for my eyes only, or will I want to make it public?

Use these questions to help yourself get started:

• What three things must you do every single day to feel fulfilled in your work and/or life?
• What are your five most important values? These are things that you hold close to your heart and practice each and every day.
• Your life has a number of important elements that all deserve some attention in your personal vision statement. Write one important goal for each of them: physical, spiritual, work or career, family, social relationships, financial security, mental improvement, attention, and fun.
• If you never had to work another day in your life, how would you spend your time?
• What inspired you to create this business in the first place?
• Are you trying to fulfill a societal need? (i.e. volunteering, etc.)
• What type of legacy do you want to leave for future generations?

Take some time to review these questions and write down your answers. Please, feel free to add your own questions. Your answers will help define your vision. Once you have completed this process, you will be ready to create a draft of your vision statement.

A few things to keep in mind during this process:

Your personal vision statement can change over time, depending upon what is happening in your life. You will be amazed, however, at how many components remain consistent over time.

A vision statement describes what it is that you want and how you will get there. It clarifies, to you and others, what you aim to achieve through your daily efforts.

Use positive terminology. Find any instance of the words "no" or "not" and of words that start with "un-" or "non-" and flip them around. For example, instead of saying, "I am not going to be able to get the car I want today," you can say, "I'm going to get the car I want as soon as I can afford it." What we focus on today will determine how we live in the future.

Consider financial results: results for yourself, and results for your employees, customers and others with whom you interact. Social entrepreneurs will also want to address any impact intended for society, animals, the planet, or any other direct or indirect beneficiaries of your business activities.

Remember to write in the present tense, as if you have accomplished all you aim for; this will help you visualize achieving your vision. For example, which sounds more positive?

a) I weigh 200 pounds and need to lose 50 pounds before summer.

b) I always look and feel great at my perfect weight, which is 150 pounds.

What three things must you do every single day to feel fulfilled in work and/or life?

1. _________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________

What are your five most important values? These are things that you hold close to your heart and practice each and every day.

1. _________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________

4. _________________________________________________________

5. _________________________________________________________

What inspired you to create your business in the first place? (If, applicable)

Your life has a number of important elements that all deserve some attention in your personal vision statement.

Write one important goal for each of them: physical, spiritual, work or career, family, social relationships, financial security, mental improvement, attention, and fun.

Physical:

Spiritual:

Work/Career:

Family:

Social Relationships:

Financial Security:

Mental Improvement:

Attention:

Fun:

If you never had to work another day in your life, how would you spend your time?

What type of legacy do you want to leave for future generations?

Now that you have completed this exercise, you are ready to form a draft of what your Personal Vision Statement will look like. Use the space below to get started.

• Use this space for notes.
• Write down your thoughts about this section.
• List any action items you identified during this section. (For example, if one of your goals is to spend more time with your family, what specific steps will you take to do that? You may decide not to work late every night; you may decide to leave work early on Friday. The important thing is that you take positive action to achieve your goal.)