I am a visual thinker. When a new idea comes to me, I see in my head as a picture. And if I take a few moments, I can actually feel it and get sensations from it. I love having this ability, but where I get caught up is in the details of making the vision happen. If I jump directly from this powerful vision to thinking ‘how will I ever get this accomplished?’ I usually feel a great sense of overwhelm and may be stopped right in my tracks.
So what’s the missing link? For me it’s clarity supported by information. Instead of going directly to the ‘how’, I go back to the vision with the intention of clarifying what it is I want it to do. In other words, I look at the vision with the question, “what is the outcome I wish to achieve with this?” This usually provides me with an answer that leads me on the quest for information to support the vision.
Here’s how this works:
1. Visualize a program; for example a literacy program for adults. The program could help people learn how to read; have individuals tutored by volunteers in a setting that is bright, supportive, and successful. Now, how is all of this going to be accomplished? This is where overwhelm can happen. Instead of wallowing in it, go to the next step.
2. Answer the question “what is the outcome I want to achieve?” Is it that more adults will be able to read? What happens when they can read? Does it help them in job search? Can they read to their children? Are there other opportunities for them? Can they tutor others? Take the time to define the outcome(s).
3. Once there is clarity around the outcomes, gather the information needed to support the vision. Research the need for adult literacy, how it affects lives, what programs work best. Clarify the need.
4. Next, write it all down. Begin with the outcomes, plug in the activities and methods to support the outcomes, outline a timeline and benchmarks, and define costs associated with each step.
5. Voila and congratulations! A program is created and now the basics for a grant proposal are down on paper.
I go through this process several times in order to triumph over the feeling of overwhelm and to develop deliberate steps I can take to power up my vision. The clarity and information are the amps and watts I need to light the bulb, and once the bulb is lit, my pathway is clear.
So what’s the missing link? For me it’s clarity supported by information. Instead of going directly to the ‘how’, I go back to the vision with the intention of clarifying what it is I want it to do. In other words, I look at the vision with the question, “what is the outcome I wish to achieve with this?” This usually provides me with an answer that leads me on the quest for information to support the vision.
Here’s how this works:
1. Visualize a program; for example a literacy program for adults. The program could help people learn how to read; have individuals tutored by volunteers in a setting that is bright, supportive, and successful. Now, how is all of this going to be accomplished? This is where overwhelm can happen. Instead of wallowing in it, go to the next step.
2. Answer the question “what is the outcome I want to achieve?” Is it that more adults will be able to read? What happens when they can read? Does it help them in job search? Can they read to their children? Are there other opportunities for them? Can they tutor others? Take the time to define the outcome(s).
3. Once there is clarity around the outcomes, gather the information needed to support the vision. Research the need for adult literacy, how it affects lives, what programs work best. Clarify the need.
4. Next, write it all down. Begin with the outcomes, plug in the activities and methods to support the outcomes, outline a timeline and benchmarks, and define costs associated with each step.
5. Voila and congratulations! A program is created and now the basics for a grant proposal are down on paper.
I go through this process several times in order to triumph over the feeling of overwhelm and to develop deliberate steps I can take to power up my vision. The clarity and information are the amps and watts I need to light the bulb, and once the bulb is lit, my pathway is clear.
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