November 12, 2024 • 11 mins
Welcome to Day 4 of the “Start Thinking Forward” 22-Day Challenge! In today’s immersive episode, host Brandon L. Draper takes you through an emotional, eye-opening journey to create a life vision that reflects your highest potential.
This isn’t just goal-setting; it’s about tapping into a purpose that gives meaning to every step you take. In this transformative session, we’ll explore the powerful science of purpose, the psychology behind a clear vision, and how to set a vision that’s both inspiring and deeply personal.
With profound stories, neuroscience-backed insights, and actionable exercises, Brandon leads you through the process of creating a vision that fuels leadership, resilience, and lasting fulfillment.
Big thanks to our sponsor, Serebro AI, for providing innovative tools that help you stay aligned with your vision and track your progress. Ready to dive into a life of purpose, intention, and impact? Hit play, share this episode on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in, and join a movement toward authentic leadership and transformation.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/start-thinking-forward-podcast--1229199/support.
This isn’t just goal-setting; it’s about tapping into a purpose that gives meaning to every step you take. In this transformative session, we’ll explore the powerful science of purpose, the psychology behind a clear vision, and how to set a vision that’s both inspiring and deeply personal.
With profound stories, neuroscience-backed insights, and actionable exercises, Brandon leads you through the process of creating a vision that fuels leadership, resilience, and lasting fulfillment.
Big thanks to our sponsor, Serebro AI, for providing innovative tools that help you stay aligned with your vision and track your progress. Ready to dive into a life of purpose, intention, and impact? Hit play, share this episode on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in, and join a movement toward authentic leadership and transformation.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/start-thinking-forward-podcast--1229199/support.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey everyone, welcome back to the Start Thinking Forward podcast.
I'm Brandon L. Draper, and today we're taking a massive
step forward in our twenty two day challenge. This is
day four, and today we're diving into something truly transformational,
crafting a vision. A vision that reflects who you are,
(00:20):
that aligns with your values, and that sets a path
for the future you're meant to create. This episode isn't
just about goals. It's about a vision, a purpose driven
path that gives meaning to every decision, every challenge, every success.
Today I want you to feel inspired, but I also
(00:41):
want you to be moved, move to look deeper, to
think harder, and to get real about what matters to you.
Let's begin before we get into the exercises, Let's talk
about why vision is so important and how science supports this.
Modern research shows that having a vision impacts your brain
on a chemical level, activating what's known as the dopamine
(01:03):
reward pathway. Neuroscientists at the University of Southern California found
that when we visualize and connect to a powerful, purpose
driven goal, dopamine, a feel good neurotransmitter, is released. This
dopamine boost isn't just about feeling good. It directly enhances motivation, perseverance,
(01:25):
and resilience. A study on purpose driven leadership. A study
conducted by doctor Amy rizzis Nevsky from Yale University found
that people with a clear sense of purpose in their
work report higher job satisfaction, stronger performance, and greater resilience
under stress. They're also more likely to lead effectively because
(01:45):
their decisions are anchored in a vision that goes beyond
short term results. Doctor razis Nevsky's findings emphasize that a
purpose driven vision isn't just about setting goals. It's about
embedding purpose into every part of your life so that
every step you take has meaning. Now, let's put some
(02:05):
of this into practice. I want you to do more
than just imagine your future. I want you to feel it.
Start by closing your eyes, if you're in a safe
place to do so, and take a deep breath. Picture
yourself five years from now, but not just any five years.
I want you to imagine a version of you that's
(02:26):
completely aligned with your values, your strengths, and your purpose.
Picture every detail where you live, who you're with, what
you're doing, and how it feels to wake up each
morning with a sense of direction. Let it be vivid,
let it be emotional. Your brain is more likely to
retain details when they're tied to strong emotions. So don't
(02:49):
just think it, feel it. Take a few minutes and
write down what you saw, what you felt. This vision
isn't about impressing anyone. It's not about society's version of success.
It's about a future that's deeply meaningful to you. The
reason is visualization is so powerful is because when you
engage emotionally with your vision, you're tapping into the amygdala,
(03:14):
the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions. Studies
show that when emotions are tied to a vision, it
creates a stronger memory imprint, meaning your brain is more
likely to stay focused on that vision even when challenges arise.
Think of it as giving your brain a map, with
(03:34):
your emotions as the compass, guiding you back to your
path every time you face a detour. Here's an interesting
situation listen to the transformative power of vision in leadership.
Consider the story of Angela, a business leader who came
to me feeling lost and burned out. Angela was successful
(03:56):
in her industry but felt disconnected without a sense of purpose.
She had lost her passion, her drive, and was running
on empty. I worked with her on developing a vision,
not just for her business, but for her life. She
imagined a future where her work made an impact on
her community, where her time was spent on things that
(04:18):
aligned with her personal values of compassion and integrity. And
with that vision in mind, she didn't just improve her business,
she transformed it. Angela went from a leader managing task
to a leader with a mission, and her team rallied
behind her. Her emotional connection to her vision fueled her
every day. Now, we're going to transform that visualization into
(04:42):
words a vision statement. A vision statement goes beyond a
list of goals. It's a declaration of who you are,
what you stand for, and what you're committed to creating
in the world. Here's a structure to guide you. Who
you are becoming. Describe the person you're stepping into. This
(05:04):
isn't just about what you're doing, it's about who you
are becoming in the process. What you want to create.
Describe the impact you want to have on your community,
your industry, or the people you love. How it aligns
with your values. List the core values that anchor this vision,
making it clear why this vision is essential to you.
(05:27):
Here's an example to inspire you. I am becoming a
compassionate leader who empowers others to reach their potential. I
am creating a business that not only thrives, but gives
back to the community supporting causes I believe in. This
vision aligns with my values of empathy, integrity, and impact.
(05:48):
Take your time, write from the heart. This isn't about
getting it perfect. It's about capturing what truly matters to you. Now,
let's back this up with research. Doctor Clayton Christenson, a
renowned professor at Harvard Business School, emphasized in his work
that leaders who are vision driven rather than task driven,
(06:09):
are significantly more effective and inspire greater loyalty and dedication
from their teams. His research found that when people see
their leaders connected to a bigger purpose, they are more
likely to invest their own passion and creativity into their work.
This research applies not only to business, but to any
(06:30):
leadership role, whether in family, community, or personal life. The
role of the reticular activating system are as in vision.
Another powerful element at play here is the reticular activating
system r as, a network in your brain that filters information.
When you create a clear visionas starts noticing opportunities, connections,
(06:54):
and resources related to that vision. Think of it as
programming your brain's radar. When when you have a focused vision,
your RS filters out distractions and hones in on what matters,
helping you make choices that align with your purpose. Let's
dig deeper. For a vision to truly resonate, it needs
(07:14):
to connect with your emotions on a profound level. I
want you to take your vision statement and ask yourself,
why does this matter to me? Keep asking why until
you reach the core reason, the emotional heart of your vision.
For example, I want to be financially free. Why because
I want the freedom to choose my life path. Why
(07:37):
because I want my children to see that they can
follow their dreams without limitations. Why because I never want
to feel trapped or powerless. Now you've connected your vision
to something deeply meaningful. That's the level of clarity and
emotional resonance that fuels real change. Cerebroai and emotional tracking.
(08:03):
If you're ready to take this even further, our sponsor,
Cerebroai offers tools that help you track emotional progress, keeping
you aligned with your vision on a daily basis. Their
platform allows you to set daily reminders, track emotional highs
and lows, and realign whenever you feel disconnected. Because staying
(08:25):
aligned with your vision isn't a one time act, it's
a commitment you make every day. One of the most
powerful ways to make your vision last is to think
beyond yourself. This exercise is about crafting a vision that
impacts not only your life, but the lives of those
around you. Ask yourself, how does this vision benefit others?
(08:50):
It could be your family, your community, or even future generations.
Example reflection, imagine your ninety years old, looking back on
your life. Ask yourself, what do I want to be
remembered for. Think about the legacy you want to leave,
the ripple effect of your actions, the lives you want
(09:12):
to touch. Write this down as part of your vision statement.
Expanding your vision beyond yourself isn't just about altruism. It's
about creating a purpose so big that it pulls you
through the toughest times. Psychologists have found that people with
a clear vision are better equipped to handle adversity. A
(09:34):
study from the University of Pennsylvania found that individuals with
strong personal visions recovered more quickly from setbacks, largely due
to the motivational power of purpose. When you know where
you're going, challenges become part of the journey rather than
obstacles that derail you. Resilience through vision. The story of Sam.
(10:00):
Consider the story of Sam, a young entrepreneur who faced
multiple business failures. Every time he faced the setback, he
returned to his vision of creating a product that would
improve people's health. This vision kept him grounded, motivated, and
willing to try again. Today, Sam's company has not only succeeded,
but grown into an international brand. His story is a
(10:24):
testament to the power of resilience driven by vision. Vision
without action is just a dream. To make your vision
a reality, you need daily habits that align with your purpose.
Choose one action every day that brings you closer to
your vision. Whether it's learning something new, making a connection,
(10:44):
or setting aside time for personal growth. Small steps lead
to big changes over time. Today's episode wasn't just about
words on paper. It was about creating a life that
reflects your deepest purpose. Vision isn't something you find once
and forget. It's something you live, breathe, and nurture every day.
(11:04):
Remember you're not just here to exist, You're here to
make an impact, to live fully, to step into the
best version of yourself. Thank you to our sponsor, cerebro
Ai for supporting this journey and providing tools that empower
you to stay connected to your vision. If this episode
resonated with you, share it with someone who might need it.
(11:27):
Until next time, keep moving forward, keep building your vision,
and keep believing in your purpose.
Hey everyone, welcome back to the Start Thinking Forward podcast.
I'm Brandon L. Draper, and today we're taking a massive
step forward in our twenty two day challenge. This is
day four, and today we're diving into something truly transformational,
crafting a vision. A vision that reflects who you are,
(00:20):
that aligns with your values, and that sets a path
for the future you're meant to create. This episode isn't
just about goals. It's about a vision, a purpose driven
path that gives meaning to every decision, every challenge, every success.
Today I want you to feel inspired, but I also
(00:41):
want you to be moved, move to look deeper, to
think harder, and to get real about what matters to you.
Let's begin before we get into the exercises, Let's talk
about why vision is so important and how science supports this.
Modern research shows that having a vision impacts your brain
on a chemical level, activating what's known as the dopamine
(01:03):
reward pathway. Neuroscientists at the University of Southern California found
that when we visualize and connect to a powerful, purpose
driven goal, dopamine, a feel good neurotransmitter, is released. This
dopamine boost isn't just about feeling good. It directly enhances motivation, perseverance,
(01:25):
and resilience. A study on purpose driven leadership. A study
conducted by doctor Amy rizzis Nevsky from Yale University found
that people with a clear sense of purpose in their
work report higher job satisfaction, stronger performance, and greater resilience
under stress. They're also more likely to lead effectively because
(01:45):
their decisions are anchored in a vision that goes beyond
short term results. Doctor razis Nevsky's findings emphasize that a
purpose driven vision isn't just about setting goals. It's about
embedding purpose into every part of your life so that
every step you take has meaning. Now, let's put some
(02:05):
of this into practice. I want you to do more
than just imagine your future. I want you to feel it.
Start by closing your eyes, if you're in a safe
place to do so, and take a deep breath. Picture
yourself five years from now, but not just any five years.
I want you to imagine a version of you that's
(02:26):
completely aligned with your values, your strengths, and your purpose.
Picture every detail where you live, who you're with, what
you're doing, and how it feels to wake up each
morning with a sense of direction. Let it be vivid,
let it be emotional. Your brain is more likely to
retain details when they're tied to strong emotions. So don't
(02:49):
just think it, feel it. Take a few minutes and
write down what you saw, what you felt. This vision
isn't about impressing anyone. It's not about society's version of success.
It's about a future that's deeply meaningful to you. The
reason is visualization is so powerful is because when you
engage emotionally with your vision, you're tapping into the amygdala,
(03:14):
the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions. Studies
show that when emotions are tied to a vision, it
creates a stronger memory imprint, meaning your brain is more
likely to stay focused on that vision even when challenges arise.
Think of it as giving your brain a map, with
(03:34):
your emotions as the compass, guiding you back to your
path every time you face a detour. Here's an interesting
situation listen to the transformative power of vision in leadership.
Consider the story of Angela, a business leader who came
to me feeling lost and burned out. Angela was successful
(03:56):
in her industry but felt disconnected without a sense of purpose.
She had lost her passion, her drive, and was running
on empty. I worked with her on developing a vision,
not just for her business, but for her life. She
imagined a future where her work made an impact on
her community, where her time was spent on things that
(04:18):
aligned with her personal values of compassion and integrity. And
with that vision in mind, she didn't just improve her business,
she transformed it. Angela went from a leader managing task
to a leader with a mission, and her team rallied
behind her. Her emotional connection to her vision fueled her
every day. Now, we're going to transform that visualization into
(04:42):
words a vision statement. A vision statement goes beyond a
list of goals. It's a declaration of who you are,
what you stand for, and what you're committed to creating
in the world. Here's a structure to guide you. Who
you are becoming. Describe the person you're stepping into. This
(05:04):
isn't just about what you're doing, it's about who you
are becoming in the process. What you want to create.
Describe the impact you want to have on your community,
your industry, or the people you love. How it aligns
with your values. List the core values that anchor this vision,
making it clear why this vision is essential to you.
(05:27):
Here's an example to inspire you. I am becoming a
compassionate leader who empowers others to reach their potential. I
am creating a business that not only thrives, but gives
back to the community supporting causes I believe in. This
vision aligns with my values of empathy, integrity, and impact.
(05:48):
Take your time, write from the heart. This isn't about
getting it perfect. It's about capturing what truly matters to you. Now,
let's back this up with research. Doctor Clayton Christenson, a
renowned professor at Harvard Business School, emphasized in his work
that leaders who are vision driven rather than task driven,
(06:09):
are significantly more effective and inspire greater loyalty and dedication
from their teams. His research found that when people see
their leaders connected to a bigger purpose, they are more
likely to invest their own passion and creativity into their work.
This research applies not only to business, but to any
(06:30):
leadership role, whether in family, community, or personal life. The
role of the reticular activating system are as in vision.
Another powerful element at play here is the reticular activating
system r as, a network in your brain that filters information.
When you create a clear visionas starts noticing opportunities, connections,
(06:54):
and resources related to that vision. Think of it as
programming your brain's radar. When when you have a focused vision,
your RS filters out distractions and hones in on what matters,
helping you make choices that align with your purpose. Let's
dig deeper. For a vision to truly resonate, it needs
(07:14):
to connect with your emotions on a profound level. I
want you to take your vision statement and ask yourself,
why does this matter to me? Keep asking why until
you reach the core reason, the emotional heart of your vision.
For example, I want to be financially free. Why because
I want the freedom to choose my life path. Why
(07:37):
because I want my children to see that they can
follow their dreams without limitations. Why because I never want
to feel trapped or powerless. Now you've connected your vision
to something deeply meaningful. That's the level of clarity and
emotional resonance that fuels real change. Cerebroai and emotional tracking.
(08:03):
If you're ready to take this even further, our sponsor,
Cerebroai offers tools that help you track emotional progress, keeping
you aligned with your vision on a daily basis. Their
platform allows you to set daily reminders, track emotional highs
and lows, and realign whenever you feel disconnected. Because staying
(08:25):
aligned with your vision isn't a one time act, it's
a commitment you make every day. One of the most
powerful ways to make your vision last is to think
beyond yourself. This exercise is about crafting a vision that
impacts not only your life, but the lives of those
around you. Ask yourself, how does this vision benefit others?
(08:50):
It could be your family, your community, or even future generations.
Example reflection, imagine your ninety years old, looking back on
your life. Ask yourself, what do I want to be
remembered for. Think about the legacy you want to leave,
the ripple effect of your actions, the lives you want
(09:12):
to touch. Write this down as part of your vision statement.
Expanding your vision beyond yourself isn't just about altruism. It's
about creating a purpose so big that it pulls you
through the toughest times. Psychologists have found that people with
a clear vision are better equipped to handle adversity. A
(09:34):
study from the University of Pennsylvania found that individuals with
strong personal visions recovered more quickly from setbacks, largely due
to the motivational power of purpose. When you know where
you're going, challenges become part of the journey rather than
obstacles that derail you. Resilience through vision. The story of Sam.
(10:00):
Consider the story of Sam, a young entrepreneur who faced
multiple business failures. Every time he faced the setback, he
returned to his vision of creating a product that would
improve people's health. This vision kept him grounded, motivated, and
willing to try again. Today, Sam's company has not only succeeded,
but grown into an international brand. His story is a
(10:24):
testament to the power of resilience driven by vision. Vision
without action is just a dream. To make your vision
a reality, you need daily habits that align with your purpose.
Choose one action every day that brings you closer to
your vision. Whether it's learning something new, making a connection,
(10:44):
or setting aside time for personal growth. Small steps lead
to big changes over time. Today's episode wasn't just about
words on paper. It was about creating a life that
reflects your deepest purpose. Vision isn't something you find once
and forget. It's something you live, breathe, and nurture every day.
(11:04):
Remember you're not just here to exist, You're here to
make an impact, to live fully, to step into the
best version of yourself. Thank you to our sponsor, cerebro
Ai for supporting this journey and providing tools that empower
you to stay connected to your vision. If this episode
resonated with you, share it with someone who might need it.
(11:27):
Until next time, keep moving forward, keep building your vision,
and keep believing in your purpose.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.