My Approach to Vision and Goal-Setting
I’ve always enjoyed the time between Christmas and New Year. It’s like the world hits “pause,” creating a perfect window to reflect on the past year and plan for the one ahead. For me, this season is an annual tradition—both at work and in my personal life—where I write down my goals in a formal way. I’ve discovered there’s something uniquely powerful about committing your vision to paper. In fact, studies suggest that people who write down their goals are significantly more likely to achieve them compared to those who merely think about them.
But simply writing down your goals isn’t enough. As John Maxwell famously said, “Dreams don’t work unless you do.” Turning those dreams into reality requires a plan—broken down into practical, daily steps. We can’t just list our aspirations and hope the creator of the universe does the rest. Instead, we need to break our goals into bite-size chunks and chip away at them consistently. For instance, if your goal is to get healthier, you might resolve to do workout each morning or count carbs and protein. Small, consistent actions build the momentum that leads to big achievements.
Biblical Wisdom As Habakkuk 2:2 reminds us: “Write the vision; make it plain… so he may run who reads it.” This underscores the importance of clarity. When you can see your vision right in front of you, and it’s easy to understand, you’re more likely to run toward it with purpose.
The Vision (Prayer) Board
Over the years, I’ve discovered an extremely effective method that has helped me and many others stay focused on our goals: a vision board, or as I prefer to call it, a “prayer board.” Here’s how I use it:
Gather Your Images Identify tangible visuals for each of your goals. Is it a picture of your kids standing at their college graduation? Print it out. Thinking of remodeling your kitchen? Find an image online of the exact design you want. Planning to travel somewhere specific? Grab a photo of that place.
Create a Focal Point Pin these images onto a corkboard in your office or any space where you’ll see them daily. The idea is to have constant, visual reminders of where you’re heading.
Daily Check-Ins Each day, look at your board and ask yourself: “Am I doing the kinds of activities that will lead me toward these goals? What steps should I take right now to move the needle?” This daily reflection aligns your short-term actions with your long-term vision.
Prayer and Intention If faith is a part of your life, use this time to pray over your goals. Even if prayer isn’t part of your routine, taking a moment each day to affirm your intentions can be incredibly grounding. It helps transform your vision from a distant “someday” into a purposeful, current pursuit.
Why Focus Matters
One of the biggest benefits of a vision (prayer) board is the way it sharpens your focus. In a world filled with distractions, we can easily get lost in the “weeds” of our to-do lists and social media feeds. By contrast, having a constant, visual reminder of the bigger picture pulls us back toward what truly matters. Zig Ziglar says, “Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four-hour days.” When you know your direction—and keep it in front of you—you’re far more likely to make progress, day by day.
Putting It All Together
Set Clear Goals. Write them down. Make them concrete.
Break Them Down. Draft a plan that translates your goals into small, achievable steps.
Create a Vision (Prayer) Board. Keep images of your goals front and center.
Take Consistent Action. Check in daily and adjust your plan as needed.
Keep the Faith. Whether you pray or simply set intentions, staying mentally aligned with your vision fuels perseverance.
As I head into the new year, my prayer board is already evolving with images and ideas. This approach has given me clarity, motivation, and a practical roadmap, year after year. I hope this inspires you to step confidently into your own future, one carefully planed goal at a time. Here’s to an incredible new year ahead!