In the previous segments of our Visioning Tips series, you took a look at (1) "priming the pump" with some exploratory dialogue, (2) the importance of allowing time for reflection in order to invite your deeper insights into the process, (3) creating a visual anchor to help sustain you as you're bringing your vision to life, and (4) identified your emerging themes. In this next segment, we'll identify where your key themes are already at work in your organization, and how you can seed them for future growth. Need to catch up? Start from the beginning of the Ivy Sea Visioning Series.

From burned out to rekindled
FINDING WHERE YOUR KEY THEMES ARE ALREADY AT WORK

When you identified your key themes in the previous tip (Tip #4), they were most likely in relation to your future-vision. Did you know that the odds are very good that these same themes exist in your current reality?

Themes — or visions for that matter — don’t spring into one’s mind like a letter arriving by post. They are the products of reflection, your unconscious mind, true desires, marketplace realities, your personality and more. So it makes perfect sense that your themes may already be at play in your business, even as you’re "seeding" them for a different sort of sprouting in the future.

The beauty of this realization is that you can build significant momentum from what has already taken root. You can "up the ante" on positive themes, and more readily identify barriers to address them head-on — making the most of your current reality.

Also, recognizing how your themes appear in today’s reality allows you to see where the seedlings of your vision exist, which can be tremendously energizing. You also can learn from past successes to replicate and improve those themes. And a conscious effort to make your vision real is always more successful than a passive, "hope it happens" approach.

How can you make the most of the themes present in your current reality?

• Identify at least two ways that each theme is manifesting itself in your current reality right now. Be as specific as possible.

• Write these examples in your journal for future reflection and comparison as your reality becomes closer to your updated vision of the reality you want to create.

• Spell out the action items that enhance the positive themes and address the barriers. Break down the action items into do-able tasks so that you can maintain (or create) forward momentum and feel a sense of accomplishment after completing each step. For positive cultural attributes, play the Ivy Sea "Two to Ten" Game. Start by assuming that your current practice in any specific area — say customer service or marketing outreach — would currently be rated a two on a scale of one-to-ten. What would it take for you to earn a level ten rating?

• For at least one week, commit to heightening your awareness to ways that you, your business and employees demonstrate those themes in your day-to-day operations; and identify opportunities for going "from two to ten" toward the ideal reality you envision today.

Check back next month for the next tip in our "Get Inspired"Visioning series.

In case you've missed previous tips...

We'll have ten tips in all (and, knowing us, we'll throw in a few bonus tips to tap that extra reserve of inspiration). So mark your calendar and bookmark the Series Intro page now. Don't miss these previous installments to our Visioning Tips Series:

Visioning Series Kickoff — A Few Great Reasons to Bother With Visioning

Visioning Tip #1 — Prime the Pump: Loosen up with some "get-started" dialogue

Visioning Tip #2 —The Reflection Connection: What's most important?

Visioning Tip #3 — Activate Your Senses: Get your brain storming with creativity

Visioning Tip #4 — Identify Your Emerging Themes

Remember, this information is food-for-thought. The most effective approach is the one that's been tailored to meet the unique needs of your group. If you have questions, connect with someone who can provide a perspective you trust and value, or e-mail us at info@ivysea.com.