Vision is great, but how often does it get created then put aside? Getting clear is certainly helpful and some things will occur as a result, but I want to work more consistently with my vision this year.

Creating a Mind Map

Mind maps organize information in a visual sense, so that is where I started. I have a tendency to create elaborate mind maps with hundreds of elements. I knew this wasn’t going to work, so I focused on identifying the key action areas that were the next steps in moving toward my vision. I use MindManager to create my maps.

There is still a lot here, but at least for this week, it felt like a manageable number of things to think about.

Looking for chunks to focus on

When I work on a big project, I work on everything at once. Doing something until I either finish or get stuck, then shift to the next thing. In the last few months, I’ve had  a bigger chance of getting stuck than finished, so I have been bouncing around a lot. Over a much wider range of tasks than is on this mindmap.

I am using the mind map to help select tasks to work on. I’m asking myself a couple of things:

• How can I select an action that will further multiple areas?
• What is easy that will clear space?.
• What feels stuck, but has a lot of payoff if I can clear it?

Going for Maximum Effect

Looking at my map, I saw I have a lot of content to develop. The end results will be used for different purposes on both sides of the map, but there is overlap in the general topics. I have years worth of articles, posts, case studies, handouts, and designs scattered all over the place. Some embedded in newsletters, some in the blog archives, in various folders on multiple hard drives. Just thinking about this felt yucky. There was no technology structure in place to help me keep track of it. Perfect example of something that offered big payoff and could effect multiple areas. Now just to find a way to make it easy.

I decided to use Google Sites to build a simple website to store all the parts. I selected a project template and built it out in a few hours. It is easy to make it accessible to only those I chose, so I can open it to selected contractors as well as our internal company members.  Once the framework was in place, I just had to find all the pieces and put them there. But look at what I gained:

• Created an off site back up of all the content
• Made it easy to share files in remote locations
• Organized content by topics that make sense for developing

I was able to get movement across the whole map. I did not have to use peak time to find, copy and paste, so I got a lot of it done during my less productive afternoon hours.

I still had time to paint!

Being more strategic in my choices, it was easier to spend time painting. I wasn’t as worried about using it to avoid other things. Besides I’ve committed to  being Creative Every Day . I’ve been doing a series of paintings about the winter holidays, now I’m doing a story about heart which is only half done. You can see them in this slideshow.

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Creating a vision board

I’ve been participating in a variety of processes recently to pick themes to focus on for the upcoming year. It’s something I have done off and on over the years, sometimes with a lot of accompanying artwork and journaling, sometimes something much simpler.This year I spent New Years Day creating a collage vision board.  Although the VisualsSpeak process looks like collages, it isn’t designed in the same way. Mainly because you don’t design, rather you allow the images to speak to you.

Part of me is ambivalent about vision boards. Mainly because I think it is too easy to simply create a visual story that reflects the story you want to hear, or one that you often tell. This year I have done a bunch of reflection and guided visualization around what I want to bring into my business. Given that, I felt comfortable creating a vision board that expresses what I want for 2010 in a visual form.

2009

Last year was focused on building a new foundation for the business. I spent a lot of time researching new models and structures as well as recognizing I had to bring more of myself back into the core. I started painting in traditional media again after 15 years.

Working with my business partner, we decided to expand beyond focusing on creating tools for professionals to creating tools that can be used individually as well as in groups. We also committed to creating tools that will be delivered digitally rather than being conventionally printed.

We have a general plan, lots of products in development, and many of the technical support systems selected. We have identified a group of professionals who will partner with us to develop content on a range of topics. It’s been lots of fun designing. Time to put it into practice.

Prosperity: Economic Viability, Community, and Connection

For 2010, it’s clear to me I have to place more attention on the core economic drivers. The foundation of the collage is about this. Taking a long term view, looking at million dollar ideas rather than getting stuck on short term income. Minding the structural systems, and delegating parts to those who are good at them. Becoming the driver of the boat rather than a passenger.

The middle of the collage is all about connection. With the team that is co-developing content, as well as the messaging systems we use to reach out to the top part of the collage, which are our customers. Oh, and the intention that I will spend next year’s holidays relaxing in some warm tropical place in the top left corner. And a nice empty space for surprises and opportunities that arise on the path.

How does this help?

One of the things I struggle with as a business owner is keeping my focus on the strategic priorities rather than just taking care of what shows up in my email inbox. This gives me the overview of what I need to do. Next up, I will need to drill in deeper to get clear about exactly which activities serve each of the areas. The image hangs behind my computer, so it’s what I see every time I look up.

It will also be helpful to make a list of things that don’t fit in these areas. Then really look at how many of them really need to be done, and which things can be delegated.

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