What is Vision and Why is Having a Vision Important?

Most of life is filled with uncertainty. This is especially true of the future. But if you can hold onto a vision of what’s yet to come, you can boost your chances at achieving your dreams and being successful. What is vision exactly? How does it help, and what does it mean to have a vision?

We’ll cover what it means to have a personal vision, as well as what it means for a business to have a clear vision.

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What is Vision?

According to Merriam-Webster, vision is defined as, “the act of power of imagination.”  When you apply vision to the future, you can create a mental picture that can be used to direct your actions. Vision serves as a guide and can be used to provide a sense of purpose.

Why is Vision Important?

For both people and businesses, having a vision proves to be extremely important. Given the trials and tribulations that may come your way, when you have a clear vision of what you want to happen, you can make better decisions.

Here’s a look at a few reasons why having a vision is so vital to success and joy:

Overcome roadblocks and hurdles

Challenges are inevitable. When you run into a wall or a hurdle, you need to know which way to go. Vision provides you with something to look forward to and always work towards. It provides you with a reason to keep going, even when the times get tough.

Substantiate your goals

Having a vision places a purpose upon your goal-setting activities. Without an end goal or destination in mind, then you won’t have a clear or defined path. Vision provides this.

To achieve your vision or goal, you can start by setting small, attainable goals as stepping stones. Each relatively little bit of success will help to continue propelling you forward on your bigger journey.

Sets expectations

Setting goals comes along with defining measurements of success. If you set a goal, how do you know when you’ve reached it if you don’t have a way to define success? An overall life vision helps to set expectations accordingly.

Adds focus

Having a vision ensures that your life or business goals can remain focused. When you are faced with a decision or distraction, you can ask yourself if it will help or hurt you in attaining your vision. This can offer you the means to move forward with intention and alignment.

Delivers meaning and purpose

A vision is a way to answer your own “why” of life. It gives you the reason for your actions, choices, hopes, and desires. This fills your daily activities with meaning and purpose.

What is a Vision Statement?

Anyone can create their own vision statement. People can develop a personal vision statement, and so can a business.

When it comes to businesses and entities, it’s common for them to write and share a vision statement. A vision statement is a written expression of the purpose and meaning behind a business that’s intended for stakeholders, including employees and even customers.

Strong vision statements are written in the present tense, express an outcome that’s achievable, and evokes emotion.

Businesses: How to Write a Vision Statement

For entrepreneurs and business owners, knowing how to write a vision statement is a useful skill to hone.

Let’s take a look at what components you need to write a strong vision statement. This can be applied for personal vision statements, as well.

Project into the future

While a vision statement should be written in present tense, it needs to be forward-looking because that’s what vision is. In terms of a business’ vision statement, it’s recommended to look five or ten years into the future to understand what you hope to achieve by then.

You can ask questions like what you think the world will look like and/or the market you’re operating in.

Determine position

To know where you want to go, you should first assess where you are and the resources available. This can be done with an OAS statement, which is the company’s objective, advantage, and scope.

Outline success

Clearly define what success looks like and how it will be measured for your organization (or for yourself).

Conduct research

For a business’ value statement, it’s a good idea to look at your competition, or the companies which you hope to emulate. It can provide inspiration or a better understanding of how you can get to where you want to be.

Create a measurable goal

Create measurable goals that are in line with your vision and communicate them to internal and external stakeholders.

Learn More About Business

If the idea of vision statements and business goals excite you, then a career in business might be a part of your personal vision!

At the University of the People, our degrees (associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s) in Business Administration prepare you to enter the world of business with all the skills you need to thrive.

What’s more is that these classes take place online, so you can earn your degree on your own schedule, no matter where you are. All you need is an internet connection and a device to get connected.

The Business Administration program, just like our other degree offerings (Health Science, Education, and Computer Science) are tuition-free. This makes them an affordable and accessible way to earn your higher education.

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The Bottom Line

Whether you are running a business or an individual looking to accomplish their personal goals in life, having a vision is important.

The approach and answer to the question of, “What is a vision?” could be different from one person to the next. However, it will always entail a look into the future with a mental image of what’s to come. Clearly defining your vision and referring back to it when you make your decisions in life will help you to achieve your goals.

A vision can consist of personal goals, physical health, career goals, educational goals, and any other aspects of life. No matter what aspect you choose to focus on, you can define and attain your vision with effort, determination, and focus!