Happy almost fall my quarter system sunshines! With only a few days before school starts, it’s time to get those brand spanking new planners out and think about what you want to accomplish in the coming year! We’ve spoken a lot about how to set goals, but today I want to share a little more about that first step of the process: visualizing your future!
This summer, I started a meditation practice and often the guided meditations I listen to talk about manifesting your destiny. I’m not sold on the idea of manifestation, but I do believe in the importance of clarifying your long-term goals and finding ways to keep them top of mind during the year.
I’ve done a version of future visualization every year, where I think generally about what “Adult Ro” looks like. I believe the exercise is most effective as a journaling prompt, but you can also think about the questions more generally if you feel solid about the answers. I love to look back on my journal entries and think about how Adult Ro has changed and clarified.
The problem I’m running into this year is that my definition of Adult Ro has always been anchored to my 23rd year, right after graduation, and this year I’m graduating! Most visualization exercises tell you to choose a date 3-5 years in the future, so I spent this week re-doing the exercise for 25 year old Ro.
I wanted to share how I do the visualization exercise, but it is heavily influenced by this video from Lavendaire and The Success Principles by Jack Canfield.
Where is ideal you at 25?
What is she doing? Where is she living? What does she do in her free time?
As obnoxious as it sounds, I find writing this exercise in third person is helpful because it keeps me from being self-deprecating or stopping myself from believing something is possible. Although it shouldn’t be entirely unattainable, keep in mind that this is your ideal life and that you have years to get there!
How does it feel to be ideal you?
Make sure you add details about how you feel emotionally and physically. The more details you add, the more real it feels, especially when reading it back. I’ve actually found that detailing these emotions can be useful in your meditation practice as I try to translate those same feelings of calm, satisfaction, and gratitude.
Did you cover everything?
It’s important to look at your life holistically and ensure that all parts are covered: health, career, personal growth, relationships, creativity, happiness, etc! In the past, the health part of this exercise translated into my running a marathon and going vegan, so I can actually attest to this working.
Now, Look At It
This exercise only becomes real when you take the time to translate it into realistic goals, and see it often enough to actually implement it into your life. Read it, look at it. If you don’t like it, then you know it’s about that time to re-write it! This exercise is only as useful as you make it.
If the visualization doesn’t work for you, you can try making a Vision Board or setting goals the old fashioned way. I highly recommend checking out Lavendaire’s videos about other visualization exercises and how she uses them as well.
How are you planning for the school year? Let us know in the comments and share how your exercise went and tag @xoromedia so we can find them!
4 Comments
Caitlin
I love this so much! Such a good way to set goals for life too.
Rosana Rabines
Thanks Caitlin! I totally agree! It’s my favorite way to choose goals!
Caitlin | Beauty & Colour
Love finding other vegan bloggers!
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