The Power of Speaking Your Vision
Recently, I met with a new client who called me because he is getting published, a huge accomplishment for any aspiring writer. As we began to dive into the creative process with our eye on how to initiate and establish an ethos (our word for personal brand) while also leading up to promoting the new book, a divine thing happened: he spoke his true vision, the dream he’d yet to put into words.
This happens often when I’m in process with an artist, writer or entrepreneur: for the first time in their lives they speak out the truth of a dream or a vision which has long been planted in their hearts. Giving breath and words to our great hopes has value for so many reasons. Here are three:
1. Progress follows momentum follows energy.
A friend of mine keeps notes in her phone when she has a dream or aspiration so when the time has come for fulfillment, she can look back and affirm that these aren’t crazy thoughts or mindless musings. These are God-given dreams, connected to our truest selves. Speaking them out gives them power. Placing our energy in a certain direction creates momentum and momentum creates progress.
Don’t feel rushed or pressured in the process. Remember, progress over perfection. One day, one moment, one task closer to the dream. Just keep the energy moving.
2. Accountability
This might feel like pressure but that’s not what healthy accountability creates. Healthy accountability reminds of you of the dream. Healthy accountability asks you where you are on the plan you chose. Healthy accountability turns a mirror onto you and reminds you of who you really are. And healthy accountability says, “Yes you can.”
3. Crush Fear
Elizabeth Gilbert has a powerful dialogue in her book, Big Magic, where she has a fireside chat with fear:
“Dearest Fear: Creativity and I are about to go on a road trip together. I understand you’ll be joining us, because you always do. I acknowledge that you believe you have an important job to do in my life, and that you take your job seriously. Apparently your job is to induce complete panic whenever I’m about to do anything interesting—and, may I say, you are superb at your job. So by all means, keep doing your job, if you feel you must. But I will also be doing my job on this road trip, which is to work hard and stay focused. And Creativity will be doing its job, which is to remain stimulating and inspiring. There’s plenty of room in this vehicle for all of us, so make yourself at home, but understand this: Creativity and I are the only ones who will be making any decisions along the way. I recognize and respect that you are part of this family, and so I will never exclude you from our activities, but still - your suggestions will never be followed. You’re allowed to have a seat, and you’re allowed to have a voice, but you are not allowed to have a vote. You’re not allowed to touch the road maps; you’re not allowed to suggest detours; you’re not allowed to fiddle with the temperature. Dude, you’re not even allowed to touch the radio. But above all else, my dear old familiar friend, you are absolutely forbidden to drive.”
When we tell our truth, speak our vision, share our dream, we put fear in the back seat and give the keys to Hope, to Vision and to the Future.
Today can be the day. Pick up the phone, turn to the one to your left or your right and tell someone the truth. Give us what you’ve got. We are waiting. And so is your dream.
If you need help crafting a vision, peeling back the layers to find what is underneath the angst and tension of your lived life and your envisioned life, we hope you will invite Trade Last into process with you. It’s our heart to be the wind at your back, to help you uncover what is possible and speak life into you. Email me at jesse@atradelast.com to find out how we can work together.