What is a vision statement?
A vision statement focuses on a desired, or ideal, state. It indicates the future and should be ambitious — yet realistic, well articulated and measurable. A vision statement is an inspirational description of what you hope to accomplish in the end when you succeed in implementing your strategies and achieve your full potential.

When writing your personal leadership development vision statement you may wish to address the following questions: Does it represent challenging, yet realistic outcomes? Is it inspiring and energizing? Does it communicate its essential message directly and succinctly? Does it provide you with a clear sense of what type of leader you want to become? Write a vision statement describing your future leadership abilities.

Complete the following steps to assist you in creating your vision statements:

1. Brainstorm on a piece of paper what you would like to accomplish in the future.
2. Talk about and write down values that you hold in pursuing that vision.
3. Determine a time frame for completion of the pursuit.
4. Think about the following questions:
   1. What will success look like?
   2. What role do you want to play?
   3. What do you want to change or make different?
5. Develop a metaphor and draw a picture of success.
6. Share this picture with your husband, significant other, or close friend or family member.
7. Create your vision statement.

Once you complete your vision statement, reflect on your vision during each stage of Individual Pursuit to ensure that you are accomplishing your desired state and purpose.

Challenge makes you discover things about yourself that you never really knew.
They're what make the instrument stretch — what make you go beyond the norm.
— Cicely Tyson