The Biggest Misconceptions About VISION and ACTION

An old inscription found in a church in Sussex, England, circa 1730, states:

“A vision without a task is but a dream,
A task without a vision is drudgery,
A task with a vision is the hope of the world.”

We think that Goal Setting and the Law of Attraction are modern day concepts. As it turns out they are not. People knew all along that in order to achieve anything significant and long-lasting you must have both: VISION and ACTION.

The Biggest Misconceptions about VISION:

In spite of what many people think, vision is not just a clear image of what you would like to achieve. It is much deeper than that.

1. Vision is not an abstract outcome. The difference between an adult’s way of thinking to that of a child’s, is that we adults, have the capacity to think in abstract terms. This is wonderful, until we start to dream and state our desires using these concepts. “Good health”, “gorgeous looking body”, “happy family”, “stellar career” or “wealth” are concepts that everyone will imagine and understand differently. The problem with these statements is that there is no way of telling when you have achieved them.

Any great vision should always be stated in concrete, specific, and measurable terms.

2. Vision is not a dream. A dream is a castle in the air. A vision starts with a dream, but it also has a foundation that is grounded in reality. Too often when people set goals or state their intentions they ignore one simple thing – their starting point. No matter how great you are at visualizing, you cannot become a millionaire in a month if your current monthly income is $2,000.

Do not be afraid to dream big. But also be realistic about the time it will take you to get from where you are right now to where you want to be.

3. Vision is not an “ideal” that you should pursue. An ideal is something that we feel we SHOULD achieve guided by our own “idealistic” standards or by trying to meet other people’s overly high expectations. Vision, on the other hand, is a goal that we willingly and eagerly CHOOSE to pursue. How to tell the difference? Listen to yourself! If your goals make you feel frustrated, angry and resistant, then you are trying to force yourself into doing something that you do not want to do in the first place. But if you feel empowered, enthusiastic and inspired by your vision then you are on the right track!

The Biggets Misconceptions about an ACTION:

1. Motion is not action. Action is very different from motion. Motion keeps you busy.  Action creates momentum and brings you closer to the results you want. Action has a clear direction. Motion, on the other hand, is a movement that has no clear direction. You can stay busy all day long, but it does not mean that you are accomplishing anything. Therefore, do not trick yourself into “active avoidance” of actual action! If you are not making any progress, then you simply waste your precious energy on busywork.

2. Preparation is not action. If your goal is “to get in shape by jogging every other day for a month” then everything you do before that (like buying running shoes, reading advice about jogging, watching the weather forecast, talking your friend into running with you) can be described with a single word – preparation. Until you actually put your shoes on, walk out of the door and start jogging you will not get any closer to your desired outcome, which is – a fit and healthier looking body!

3. Talking is not action. Talking about your dreams may help you to find like-minded people who will support you, but talking alone will not get you any closer to your goal. Action is not something you say. It is something you do. So stop telling everyone about ideas that you have and get to the actual action.

4. Planning is not action. Planning is an important step of achieving your dreams. Without a clear plan your actions risk turning into busywork. But planning is a strategic part, while acting on your plans is an executive part. A highly elaborated plan will get you nowhere until you actually take the first step and DO something! Anything!

Great achievements differ from small accomplishments only by the amount of steps that you are willing to take towards your vision! Walk a little further and you will accomplish much greater goals in life.

Tags: action and vision myths, action misconceptions, biggest vision misconceptions, clear vision statement, keys to success, problems of goal setting