Where are you headed this year?
Not just geographically or professionally, but in life. It is a simple question, yet many of us struggle to answer it. Without a clear vision, life feels like a series of unrelated decisions dictated by other people’s expectations or immediate demands. But what if it did not have to be this way?
The picture above was taken in February 2020 on a trail run at Umstead State Park in North Carolina. I had no idea how much my life would change in the coming weeks due to COVID.
There would be achievements, opportunities, transitions, and joy—but also loss, grief, adversity, and uncertainty.
Almost five years later, I used one of the most difficult seasons of life to construct a vision for how I want to spend the time I have left. It begins with an endless curiosity, continued personal growth, and contributions in service to others.
Unfortunately, the path before us is rarely as clear as the one in this photo. Our journey may be dark, foggy, or obstructed with barriers that force detours.
Executing a vision takes careful planning, the courage to be uncomfortable, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of what you want from life.
It starts with one simple but difficult question: Who do I want to become?
Why Vision Matters
We are lost without a vision. If we do not develop a plan, others will dictate our path. This is how people fall deeper into the trap of societal expectations.
Most of us are told to finish school, go to college, get a job, work for 40 years, and retire. But does that bring happiness or fulfillment? For many, the answer is no.
A vision is like a GPS, guiding you toward the life you truly want. Having a clear vision gives you direction and strength, while lacking one leaves you wandering without purpose.
For over a decade, I have celebrated my students as they graduate and enter the healthcare field. The most successful students I have taught all share a common thread: a clear vision for their future.
More than intelligence or experience, it is vision that propels them through the challenges of professional school and beyond.
I have experienced the transformative power of vision firsthand. As an undergraduate, I dreamed of a career in healthcare but doubted I was good enough.
Through mentorship, life experiences, and witnessing the care my father received during his illness, I found my calling. His passing became the catalyst for my pursuit of becoming a clinician—a vision I worked tirelessly to achieve.
Now, I see that same drive in my students. Their vision inspires them to persevere through demanding coursework, clinical preparation, and personal sacrifices. As a professor, it is an honor to help them fulfill their dreams, knowing their vision will allow them to impact countless lives.
“If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you do not have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.”
Vision vs. Goals
Goals and vision are not the same.
Goals are specific milestones. They are concrete, measurable, and time bound. Vision, on the other hand, is the bigger picture—the why that inspires and guides you.
While goals answer what and how, vision answers who and why:
Who do you want to become?
Who do you want to be remembered as?
What accomplishments and experiences give your life meaning?
Think of vision as the compass and goals as the map. Your vision defines the destination. Goals are the steps that move you closer.
For example, if your vision is to live a life of service and personal growth, your goals might include completing a degree, starting a nonprofit, or learning a new skill.
Recognizing this distinction is important. Goals without vision can feel empty, and a vision without goals can feel unattainable. When goals are guided by vision, they have greater purpose and clarity. The journey is not just about achieving but also about becoming.
Your vision will evolve as you grow. That is okay. The key is to align your daily decisions with your vision
Ask Yourself:
Does this choice bring me closer to or further from my vision?”
Life will not automatically hand you a vision. Since time and health are limited, now is the moment to begin pursuing what matters. Maintain a relentless pursuit of your vision, and when you find it, seek allies to support you.
My vision is to have the freedom to live life on my terms—learning, traveling, and serving alongside the people I love. This includes continuing my work as an educator and clinician while expanding my passion for writing, speaking, and helping others.
My goal is to impact one million people by helping them live with greater purpose.
Everything begins with a vision. If you do not define it, someone else will. I promise with a clear vision, you will never be lost again.
Wishing you health, happiness, and purposeful work this year and beyond.
“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.”
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References
Boyatzis, R. E., Smith, M. L., & Beveridge, A. J. (2013). The role of personal purpose and personal goals in symbiotic visions. Frontiers in Psychology, 4, 685. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.
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Kane, T. D., Shoptaugh, C. F., & Bevel, N. (2010). The role of a vivid and challenging personal vision in goal hierarchies. Journal of Psychology, 144(3), 221–242. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05943-4
Kappes, H. B., & Morewedge, C. K. (2024). An image of what I want to achieve: How visions motivate goal pursuit. Current Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05943-4
Schippers, M.C., Scheepers, A. W. A., & Peterson, J. B. (2015). A scalable goal-setting intervention closes both the gender and ethnic minority achievement gap. Palgrave Communications, 1, 15014.
Van Knippenberg, D., Stam, D., & van Knippenberg, B. (2021). Unraveling the distinctive paths of leading with vision and autonomy support. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 42(8), 1201–1215. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-06-2021-0268
Shaun Lynch is the founder of Impacting Education, an online personal development company dedicated to empowering individuals to lead lives of purpose, fulfillment, and impact. Dr. Lynch combines his expertise in healthcare and education to inspire positive, lasting change through his writing and teaching.