Every leader, regardless of their identity, role or context must develop a long-term vision and work to fulfill it in their lifetime. Having a vision propels an individual further, ensures a higher commitment to a set path and better growth.

While individuals often recognize the necessity for having a personal and professional vision, they often struggle with the process of determining a vision that is appropriate for them at their current stage in life. This is made more complicated by the fact that an individual’s vision is constantly evolving through their life.

To set a vision for oneself, one must begin by asking the question, who am I? This requires a certain level of introspection and self-awareness, followed by an articulation of one’s values and intrinsic traits. The second step, also involving deep introspection, requires a person to question where am I in terms of my current reality, performance and achievements. Thirdly, an individual must determinewhat I want to do. This will help them achieve the fourth step, which is an articulation of where I want to be. This requires an evaluation of one’s dreams and aspirations in order to set a series of goals that are both ambitious and feasible. Finally, an individual must outline a series of steps to answer the question how will I reach there? This involves the creation of a plan for the future as well as alignment on the skills and competencies one needs to develop in order to meet these future goals. By working through this process, an individual can create a long-term vision for oneself.