If I asked you: What would your “dream life” look like? That is, what would your life look like if everything was perfect in all areas – your physical health, relationships, career, purpose, finances, home environment. What would you tell me?
Then, if I asked you: Are you living that life right now? What would your answer be?
For most people the answer would be: no! or “kind of, but…”.
Don’t feel bad. That’s common for the majority of people
The most important question however to ask is: Do you have a plan to change the areas of life that don’t inspire you?
Do you have a detailed action plan?
And are you implementing that plan?
And is it specific, measurable and has a concrete timeline?
…and are my questions freaking you out?
If you can answer all those questions calmly and are able to provide specific answers on what you want, what your plan is and what actions you’re taking, then you are on track to achieving the life you desire.
And most importantly…you are thinking and behaving like a visionary.
Visionaries are revered as exceptional for their skills in turning dreams into reality. Many of them make a massive difference in the world and leave a legacy. They are people like: Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and Oprah Winfrey.
Master the three roles all visionaries are skilled in and you can get anything you want in any area of life. This doesn’t mean you need a desire to change the world, but it’s the secret to turning your dreams into reality. And you’ll do it faster than you would if you didn’t have these skills:
Ready to fast-track the life of your dreams? Master these 3 roles:
You see, visionaries aren’t ordinary people. Life doesn’t “happen to them”. They design their lives. They are highly intentional and calculated about everything they do. And they do this by playing three roles in one.
Many of them don’t necessarily know they are playing these roles. It starts with a burning desire so deep in them that they figure out, train and do anything they need to, to have the dream realized. Martin Luther King Jr. began his legacy with a burning desire for equality. He had a vision for the future and then he started to plot out and take actions that were consistent.
Here are the three roles all visionaries play:
- The Architect
- The Planner
- The Builder
Most people are generally good at at least two of the roles, but have a weakness in one or two. Below is a description of each. They will help you zero in on what skills you are lacking, so you can train to be proficient in each role.
For me, I’m great architect and builder, but a horrible planner. I’ve had to train myself to be organized, create plans and create better plans with fewer gaps (flaws). Planning for me does not come naturally. For other people (maybe you) it is a strength, but you may have trouble visualizing outcomes.
Read on and consider which roles you are strong at or lacking….there is a helpful exercise at the end of this article.
Role #1: The Architect: Envisions a future end goal. In other words, an outcome. Thinks about the end goal first before building anything.
Consider how architects work. They visualize the design of a building first. Then, they sketch it out, they create a technical blueprint. When they do this, the idea comes out of their head and starts to become a reality.
A visionary does this by creating an future goal they’d like to attain. This is something they deeply desire to accomplish. They think about it and then start to formulate a plan in their mind. Capturing the thoughts on paper is an important step because it helps move an idea into a reality.
Role #2: The Planner: The planner takes an idea and formulates a detailed action plan on how it will get done. They chart out the road to the end goal – and design the milestones required to be met to get there from where they are now. And to reach completion.
Planning is a crucial step prior to action. It allows you to be strategic. It will help you increase your effectiveness and reduce error.
The planner does a lot of thinking work to build a plan that is specific and measurable. They plan everything down to the smallest details.
Role #3: The Builder: The builder executes on the plan or plans. They do the physical work required to the accomplish the end game. They are the action takers, doers and the worker-bees.
Think about the three roles above. What’s your strength? Which one have you mastered? Which ones are weak or need work? Do it for yourself. Do it for someone you know well. Your spouse, your best friend, etc.
People who aren’t great builders don’t follow the plan OR they take a really long time to get into action.
Here’s how to streamline the process of getting in action so you can accomplish more.
Not only does a visionary perform these three roles they do it in a cyclical motion. As a diagram that would look something like this:
They map out an idea, then create a structure of how to accomplish it in reality, then they take action. Now, little do things go as perfectly as planned. Environmental challenges that were not accounted for get in the way. Projects can take longer than expected. So when the plan goes in a new direct they adjust. They recalibrate.
If you learn how to master the skills of these three roles you will become unstoppable. You will also feel more freedom, self-expression and joy as you’ll have a plan and be taking actions to achieve your dreams. Deep happiness comes from continued personal progress and expansion.
If you want to learn more about this approach make sure to join awesome life club. You’ll get a series of gifts inspired by this post that will train you to get what you want in life with velocity.