A few months ago, I picked up a book called “Double Double” by Cameron Herold (and, no, it is not the story of Canada’s favourite donut shop). The book is for CEOs and business leaders — about doubling revenue and profit in a short period of time.

…And you are now asking “Why the heck are we talking about entrepreneurship in a health blog?”. Well, let me tell you…

This guy, Mr. Herold, talks about *leaning out into the future* and visualizing what your future will look like by creating a Painted Picture. Basically, the idea is that if you know where you are headed you will figure out how to get there. It is an idea that can be used in so many other areas besides business.

In my line of work, I see so many people who need to get from point A to point B and have absolutely no idea how to get there. Health issues can feel completely overwhelming at times — whether it is eating healthier or overcoming constant fatigue or losing weight. And, quite often, amidst not knowing the process, there is not really a clear focus of what the end result will look like.

Developing your own Painted Picture can really help you to have a better and more clear understanding of what needs to be done and what the result will be.

Here is how you can develop an idea of where you want to be longterm:

1. Turn off all the devices that will distract you — phone, computer, tv, etc. Go some place where you will not be disturbed, away from places that make you feel stuck. Maybe it is a drive out to the country, or sitting under a tree in a park, or a weekend getaway from all life’s pressures. For me, it was just sitting in the backyard in the sun when no one was home; I turned off all my ringers and left the mobile devices inside.
2. Write down today’s date and the year, three years from now. This date allows you to set a timeframe that is not so short that you feel constantly pressured by it, but not so far away that it leaves you feeling out in the middle of nowhere. Keep in mind that it can also change as life situations present themselves. And, trust me, life usually throws curveballs… but having a painted picture will help you be more prepared to handle them.
3. Now start writing. Pretend you are existing in the date that you wrote down. Where are you? What does your job involve? What is your financial situation? What do you enjoy doing? How do you relate to your family and friends? How are you involved in your community? What do you see? How do you feel? Write down everything you can think of to make this picture real and vivid in your mind.
4. If it helps for you to see your vision more clearly, divide your picture into sections: Home, Family, Friends, Health, Career, Finances, Travel, etc.
5. Share your Painted Picture. This last step is VERY IMPORTANT — it can be invaluable for helping you to reach your goals. Yes, it helps keep you accountable to your vision, but it can also help you with insight. Most people want to help you reach your goals — they want to be a part of how you get where you want to be. You may glean some serious know-how and open doors for yourself that you never thought were possible.

When you gain a clear vision of how you would like your life to look, you can see more clearly what you need to do to get there. Getting up early to walk the dog so you can have more time to go to the gym, deciding what types of food to stock your pantry with, spending time with people who are like-minded… your daily decisions work together to get you where you are going.

If you would like more information on Cameron Herold’s book, you can download the first chapter “Vivid Vision” from his website.