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How To Write a Vision Statement

Do you wish you knew an easy effective way to be as successful as possible? Do you want to be the leader in your field? Do you wish you could attract prospects easily and effortlessly to your business?

Written Dec 20, 2008, read 7417 times since then.

Do you wish you knew an easy effective way to be as successful as possible? Do you want to be the leader in your field? Do you wish you could attract prospects easily and effortlessly to your business? Then you need what Bill Gates, Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa and Martha Stewart have in common. They had a vision that propelled them and you can too.

A business vision statement is an inspirational, energizing idea that you can use to excite others. A truly successful vision is a conscious creation and has to be consistent and expressed in what you do and how you do it.

Ask yourself what you want to get out of having a successful business vision statement: what excites you about the future; where are you trying to take your business; how do you want to manifest wealth in your life?

Be bold and go where you have not gone before.

Why do you need to develop a vision statement?

Without vision, you will have nothing to aspire to, except the daily grind of work, not business. You will dry up, burn out and your spirit will die. Without a clear Vision, you are constantly reactive to life’s daily changes. You will waste time, become distracted, lose money and be unsuccessful.

Simple vision statements are the best. The easier they are to communicate, the more essential they become to you and your business. You need a vision to be more effective, more desirable and more attractive to your clients and customers. Microsoft founder Bill Gates’ original vision statement was very simple: “ A computer on every desk.” It worked well for over thirty years.

Clarity is the key to a simple vision statement, yet a simple vision can be very profound. Remember Mother Teresa? She just wanted to help the poor, and ultimately became a saint the Roman Catholic Church. It all started with a simple vision statement: easy to communicate to others and a willingness to do whatever it took to get her vision seen and heard by others.

1. Make the time to create a business vision statement.

Your vision can come to you in the shower, when speaking with others, even while out for a walk. Take notes of every inspiration, thought, word and deed that comes to you during any aspect of your day. Do your best, and in no time at all, you will be able to create your vision statement.

a) What excites you about the future?

b) Where are you trying to take your business?

c) How do you want to manifest wealth in your life?

2. Create your first vision statement.

Your first vision statement may only be the beginning. Once you begin you will be able to create your vision statement in no time at all.

Create a quiet space without distractions. A quiet space is vital because the miracle of clarity comes from a quiet mind, a new relationship with yourself. Write down any thoughts or ideas you may have. Brainstorm inside your own brain. Ask yourself what you want to get out of having a successful business vision statement:

3. A Vision Statement has an impact on Business.

Remember, a vision statement is about the impact you and your business will have in the world. This vision is what pulls you forward. With a clear business vision statement, each day is effortless, with more satisfaction and prosperity in your life.

Simplicity, clarity, authenticity and inspirational are the cornerstones for writing your vision statement. Let these words work for you as well as they have worked for others.

Learn more about the author, Joanne Victoria.

Posted by James Goldsmith, Seattle, Washington | Dec 21, 2008

Very inspiring. Holidays are the perfect time to think about the vision statement... Thanks!

Our latest promo video link http://youtu.be/C8ZsS7W1Iww
Posted by Deena Pierott, Vancouver, Washington | Dec 21, 2008

Great article and very timely. I'm creating a vision statement and this will help me craft it. Thanks.
Posted by Chris Kelly, Bainbridge island, Washington | Dec 21, 2008

Thank you! A good reminder of what works when you need to focus.
Posted by Dan McComb, Seattle, Washington | Dec 21, 2008

Lara and I have been working on a vision statement and it's rather long-winded compared to your examples. Your article is a great reminder that clarity and conciseness is key.

Question: What, in your words Joanne, is the difference between a mission statement and a vision statement?

Follow me on Twitter - @danmccomb
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Dec 21, 2008

Hi Everyone and thanks for your kind words.

Dan: A mission statement is how you want your business to be, how it is perceived in the world.A Vision statement is about the impact your business will have on the world/community.

Clarity and focus are what I am all about and I appreciate all of you seeing same in this article.

Happy Holidays to all!
Posted by Krista Dunk, Olympia, Washington | Dec 21, 2008

Thanks for the clarification on vision vs. mission statement Joanne. That can get jumbled up sometimes. So... how does tagline fit in there?!! Thoughts?

I also like the simple examples you mentioned. Something that all people can wrap their minds around, not just the one visionary.

Great! Thank you, Krista Dunk KBWomen.com NWweddingplace.com
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Dec 22, 2008

Krista: Tag lines are about benefits/outcomes/results to the prospect/client, ie, "I work with people who want more clarity, more focus, more fun and more referrals." Tag lines or elevator lines start a conversation. Then, if the attraction is there, you go further to discover if there is a fit. Hope this helps. Joanne
Posted by Paul Simon, Denver, Colorado | Dec 22, 2008

Great explanations, particularly about tag lines since I hadn't heard that previously. Thanks. Paul
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Dec 22, 2008

Thanks Paul. Sometimes people want too much too fast.If there isn't fit, why bother with the whole spiel? Joanne
Posted by Carolyn Osborne, Tacoma, Washington | Dec 24, 2008

Great article Joanne! And that is something I am working on also.
I am in the process of finishing your books (along with everything else) but I have to say your books are great reading and very inspiring and your words give you that extra push to make you think and look ahead.........in a big way! Thank-you! Carolyn
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Dec 24, 2008

Thanks for your kind words and very glad you are enjoying the books. See you soon. - Joanne
Posted by George Greenwood, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada | Dec 25, 2008

Terrific article, Joanne.

I, for one, always use the time between Christmas and New Years to reflect and lay out my plans, visions and goals for the coming year.

Here is a challenge for anyone who would like to accept it. Have you ever thought of going beyond your business and writing out a vision statement for who you want to become? It is one thing to have a vision and mission statement for your business, but why not have them for who you are as a person as well?

It is one thing to achieve your dream of acquiring a Rolls Royce or what ever your dream dictates to you, but it is yet another thing to become the person that would have one.
Posted by Gaell P. Gervais, Levis, Quebec Canada | Dec 26, 2008

I love synchronicity when I set an intention !

Thank you everyone for your input they arrive just on timing...Still learning all the bits and pieces that are include in the English language when talking in conscious business (as a french speaker mostly). Sending you wishes realisation to all dreamer that dare to dream the world they wish to see.

Gaell Gervais

(http://www.gaellquantom.com)

Some pages in English still in translation process
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Dec 27, 2008

I appreciate your comments George from Vancouver. I expect I rote my personal vision statement first, then my business statement to support me getting to where I want to be.When I teach this class as well as when I deal directly with clients, we create both statements. The personal first, the business second, because life comes before business. Thanks. Joanne
Posted by Thomas Cox, Beaverton, Oregon | Dec 27, 2008

A great start -- I'd have liked it even more if there were more detail and more examples.
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Dec 27, 2008

Thomas - Would love to help What kind of examples would you like to see? I am sure I can be of assistance.
Posted by Maren Finzer, Seattle, Washington | Dec 28, 2008

Great points, and I agree - your vision statement is about the impact you will have on the world.

Just another example, or easy way to define your vision: ask yourself what one world problem you would like to see solved, or one area of your life you want to see transformed or improved.

This is your vision.

Thank you!
Posted by Elissa Everett, Seattle, Washington | Dec 29, 2008

What I find interesting about this...is that with us small biz enterprenuers, it's as much a live vision/mission as it is for our businesses.

I would add, and I realize it might sound cheesy, is to post that in places where you really see it. So when you're required to make a decision about something, you can always map back to it.

One follow up question, how do you recommend that mission statement be broken into more tangible goals? Help us feel the success along the way?

Thanks.
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Jan 01, 2009

The distinction I crete in my book, Vision With a Capital is: goals, mission , vision Goals are tasks that support your mission/vision; mission is how you are perceived; vision is your impact on the world and community.They should all be in alignment.

Hope this helps.

Happy New Year,

Joanne
Posted by Ken Peters, Phoenix, Arizona | Jan 06, 2009

Joanne,

Good advice. You can't score without a goal.

Nocturnal Branding Studio
Posted by Prafulla Pande, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan | Mar 15, 2009

Great article. I'd like to add a couple of thoughts.

Vision must be shared. The key people in the organization must all buy into and be excited about it.

Jim Collins in Good to Great talks about the Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG). Shared vision and BHAG are the starting elements of a strategic plan.
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Mar 15, 2009

Absolutely! If the Vision is not shared, it is not a Vision, but another one of those thoughts that flow thru the mind. I like BHAVisions. Appreciate the comment.
Posted by Judy Cullins, La Mesa, California | Aug 02, 2009

You are so right. without a vision and mission, how can we set proper goals? Because they must be aimed at the vision or mission.

Excellent article, reminds me to post more here of mine on book writing, marketing.
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Aug 02, 2009

Hi Judy and appreciate your kind words. Have yet to understand why people resist writing out their Vision statement when doing so is extremely helpful to keep the dream alive.

I find that posting articles here on Biznik generates loads of comments and feedback, more than other locales. Continue to post!
Posted by Judy Cullins, La Mesa, California | Aug 02, 2009

Now I need to get busy and post more articles like you my mentor!

Judy
Posted by Paul Simon, Denver, Colorado | Aug 02, 2009

As usual, good material from Joanne. I seem to have trouble wrapping my hands around mission statement vs. vision statement vs value proposition vs. tagline.
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Aug 02, 2009

OK, Paul, here we go:

This is noted in my book, Vision With a Capital V. Mission Statement: How the world perceives you and your business. Vision Statement: the impact you and your business make on the world.

The info below is about my business:

Value Proposition: I work with small business owners who want more money, more prospects and more referrals. Tagline: America's Vision Coach

Thanks Paul and I am sure others have their perspective on all I have noted, however, these are mine and I own them and more. Cheers!
Posted by Paul Simon, Denver, Colorado | Aug 02, 2009

Very clear and concise!
Posted by Judy Cullins, La Mesa, California | Aug 03, 2009

Even though you showed me how to do my vision and mission statement I need to reread your book, "Vision with a Capital V" again.

A tip is one thing, but for the whole picture, we need coaching--either in a book or in person. Glad I got the best with you!

Judy Cullins, book coach
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Aug 03, 2009

Thanks Paul for appreciating my clarity. If I am known for one thing, clarity is it! ::::::: Judy, I have reread my book as I tell my coaching clients to do every month, and I wonder who wrote that??! Good stuff if I do say so myself. Thanks.