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What is my vision header

What is My Vision?

This question I have struggled with for years now.

I believe only two times in my life have I had a single focus and determination with one desired outcome. The first time was when I was training and competing in Triathlons in my teenage years, the second time when I was determined to work and make money online.

Since achieving both of these some years ago I have been without a vision, path, or roadmap. In fact, it's more than yet – I have even struggled with identifying what my vision even is!

When I first started this blog, I wrote about my one-year goals , and whilst I had some momentum at the start, it’s been slow going. Thinking about why this is, I realized it's because I have no vision or longer-term life goals.

I came across a really inspiring video on YouTube the other day that got me thinking again about my vision, so thank you, Arnold Schwarzenegger – truly an amazing and very inspirational guy. So, this post is about working out what I want in life and setting the course for making this happen.

Lightbulb in dark room

Why Having a Vision is so Important?

It’s all about knowing your endpoint and if you don’t know this then it’s easy to wander aimlessly around.

I have found since moving to Malaysia and living the expat life it can seem like this, especially if you haven’t a regular job. Weeks go by and before I realized it, it’s been two years since working.

Once you reach a certain comfort in your lifestyle, one of the most depressing things in life is to feel “what’s the point”. I know a few people who on the surface appear to have everything in life; money, family, possessions, and freedom. Yet, they feel unfulfilled and without a purpose in life.

To a VERY small extent, this was me earlier this year…

Having a vision provides a road map, direction, and motivation every day knowing that you’re working towards something.

It's time to take ownership of my life and stop being on autopilot…

Inspiration from Arnold Schwarzenegger

If you’re looking for pure inspiration, then I thoroughly recommend checking out a short 10-minute clip of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

This is one of the most inspiring video clips I have seen is one by (see YouTube clip below). He outlines his approach to achievement through the use of having a clear vision.

A longer video clip (15-minute) on Arnold's motivation and inspiration is also available here.

Look for those little victories.

These compounds and result in not just boosting confidence but in reaching your goals.

An integral part of any vision should be setting deadlines for the mini-goals along the way.

Arnold did this for competitions where he would set his training and nutrition to result in being in the best shape on the day. He would give literally everything to get to the competition with the right mental attitude and physical shape possible – no excuses.

And it didn’t matter whether it was a bodybuilding competition or if it was a film role, the approach was the same.

You need a specific goal or plan you just drift.

This is exactly what I have been doing, so it’s time to step up and own up to this fact.

Arnolds 5 Rules for Success

  1. Have a Vision
  2. Never ever think small
  3. Ignore the naysayers
  4. Work you’re a**se off
  5. Don’t just take, give something back

Tip – Helps to read these out in an Austrian accent 😉

Don't Rely on Your Plan B

Another great piece of advice from Arnold from the video is his dislike for Plan Bs.

Having a back-up plan or a plan B can seem like a good idea except if you spend so much mental and physical energy on this. This distracts vital energy from your Plan A.

People perform better WITHOUT a safety net.

People have Plan Bs because they are worried about failing. But, is failing really that bad?

People perform better WITHOUT a safety net. People have Plan Bs because they are worried about failing.

I have looked back at a number of times of things I have done wrong, and even more recently, where I have failed in business and personal achievements.

Lately, it’s with getting in shape and being more active!

There is NO EXCUSE for me not being more active.

There are literally 5 acres of pool and greenery downstairs from my condo… literally just need to take a lift.

Malaysia condo pool

In my defense though, it does get very hot and humid making being active during the day in the sun very uncomfortable.

With my co-working membership at CommonGround though I get FREE access to a gym in one of the fancy shopping malls in town. Not to mention there is a gym downstairs from my condo too!

What is My Vision?

Okay so I have written about why having a vision in life is important, but what is mine?

After thinking about this for a few weeks now I have put together how I would like to see my life in 5 years' time.

I have set myself a five-year period to achieve these goals as I will be 50-years old then (I know!). These include financial, health, and family goals and where I would like to see myself and my family.

I have set myself a five-year period to achieve these goals as I will be 50-years old then (I know!).

This would allow us to live and very comfortable lifestyle anywhere in the world from passive income if we so wished. To be reasonably fit and healthy, and at least not to have excess fat both externally and viscerally.

My Vision for 2024

Continuing my primary goal for the last 20-years of being self-sufficient and being able to live anywhere.

  1. Net worth of $5 million+ (investments and online businesses)
  2. Steady weight of 60-65kg with fat percentage of under 15% through sensible eating and regular exercise *
  3. Fluent in Mandarin *
  4. Be there for my family and spend time playing, learning and travelling with my kids
  5. Learning new skills every year
* These I believe are going to be the toughest ones to achieve!

The Bottom Line

Hand in the skyTaking a line straight out of Arnolds video… it’s time to wake up early and make it happen!

Over the coming weeks, I am going to map out how I aim to achieve my vision, most of this will appear in articles on here and possibly even the odd PDF, which hopefully is useful to others too.

My Life Hacker Guy blog has really helped me to get started on improving my life and to hopefully provide information to anyone else on a similar journey.

I really recommend spending 10-15 minutes watching the YouTube clip of Arnold Schwarzenegger, it’s inspiring and can really lit the fire of determination to get sh*t done!

Do you have a vision? If not, then maybe it’s time to spend some time reflecting on what you want from life and how you can go about achieving it.

Adam Author

About the LifeHacker Guy

Hi, I'm Adam the founder of the LifeHacker Guy.

I have a First Class Honours degree in Sports Science from Brighton University, specialising in exercise physiology and nutrition. In my youth I was a competitive Triathlete and long-distance runner placing top 10 in most triathlon races I completed.

Since suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I moved into web development, after a couple of years I then moved onto developing a number of online businesses. I've recently taken a sabbatical and I'm now looking to make big changes in my life, hopefully this may resonate with you - join me in my journey!

1 comment

  1. Great article. Sometimes I think it doesn’t even matter if you achieve the goals or not. Just having a direction to travel in puts your mind at peace as it makes every day decisions and choices easier.

    Also, be aware that sometimes the plan changes as we mature and think differently about life.

    And if this happens, still make plans…just change them.

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