Dreams do come true!

One of the reasons I love the start of the New Year is because it provides everyone with a sense of hope.

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No matter what the prior year had in store, as the clock strikes 12, you get a clean slate. The New Year brings the promise of something bigger and better. It offers us a chance to alter the future, to connect with something more than ourselves, to believe that life can be better than it was in 2023.

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This is a core part of the human spirit and can help us shine like never before. A vision for 2024 makes life meaningful. It makes getting out of bed at 5am “worth it.” However, we have all heard the statistics around how long this momentum lasts. Most people will have abandoned, failed or lost track of this come February and the same patterns will be repeated.

How do we make this year different?

Families need to be motivated.

Families need to connect to a vision that propels them forward.

Families need to be reminded consistently of what they are working toward.

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It starts with a personal and family vision statement.

A vision statement is a lot like a dream.? It describes what you desire to achieve in the long run. It answers the question what kind of life do you want to create? It is deeply connected to your personal meaning and purpose.

Here are some simple questions to help you craft a vision that will propel you and your family throughout the year, and create long lasting results:

1.?????? What are your hopes and dreams?

2.?????? What problem are we solving for the greater good?

3.?????? Who and what do we want to become?

4.?????? Why are we here?

5.?????? What type of legacy do we want to leave?

6.?????? Why am I doing what I am doing?

For many parents the last question can be challenging. Many parents are repeating the parenting they experienced as children even though they want a different outcome for their family. We have to take a deep dive to understand why we react and respond the way we do before we can change the outcomes. Discovering your strengths is a wonderful exercise to learn and raise your self-awareness so you can experience real change.

Take some time to really think through these questions. Talk about them as a family. Ask for input from people close to you and your family. Take your statement for a test drive and see how it holds up. You can always make adjustments and modifications until you find the right fit.

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How to determine if your vision statement is effective?

1.?????? Does this statement paint a picture that is filled with hope? ?One of the chief functions of a vision statement is to motivate. Often in parenting, we decide the future that we want for our children, and we forget to include them in the process. A family vision statement is one that moves all members to be better. If you have the Advisor, Inspiration, or Objectivity parenting strength, you will really shine.

2.?????? Is the statement simple? The statement should be something that can be easily memorized yet powerful.

3.?????? Is your vision statement centered on people? Make sure your statement is focused on people not focused on a product or an outcome.

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In the next few weeks, we will continue to build upon our vision and inspire parents to make this the year that they experience real results in their families. Up next, we will discuss mission and goal setting to continue to develop our vision for a stronger family. ?