One of the powerful practices we do in coaching is to create and articulate a future vision.
Why are you interested in being coached? Because you want to change something that isn’t working. You have a vision for yourself and the contribution you want to make to your life, your loved ones, and the world. But something’s getting in the way. What is it? And what’s at stake if you don’t change this situation? What will the world lose if you do not step fully into your vision?
Vision work is grounded in storytelling. For example, think about a story of a peak experience in which you felt joyful and powerful. Take a few minutes to jot it down, and then notice what it tells you about what matters most to you, and the values that you hold. What are those values? And now, consider what emerges from this story that helps you embrace the future you want? When you think of where you want to be 10 years from now, who is there? What surrounds you?
In this ideal future, what strengths and capabilities have you developed? Note too, that you already have capabilities and strengths. Which of these will you use more of in this future? And what contribution to you want to make? What makes this contribution unique? What is the visionary story of your life?
Now, what if your vision were 1,000 times bigger? What if your vision were 1,000 times deeper? Then what? What could come into being then?
A few weeks ago, I read Justin Michael Williams’ powerful and visionary manifesto, Ending Racism: How to Change the World in a Generation. His words bring to life the power of having a vision that is 1,000 times bigger and 1,000 times deeper than that we may have started with.
Williams, an author, musician and spiritual teacher, calls upon us to stop thinking of fighting racism as a lifelong fight that will last for generations, but instead, one that can be fought in one generation. OUR generation.
He says, “But before we can begin to look at how to end racism—both systemic and internalized—I think it’s important that we understand what makes racism persist. Because once you’ve been stuck in a condition—once you’ve been working on the same recurring problem over and over to no end—it becomes important to shift the question from, “What is the problem?’ to, ‘Why does the problem continue to persist in the first place?’
Ah, yes, that is similar to one of the coaching questions we ask. What gets in the way of realizing your vision? To that question, we bring an attitude of curiosity and deep interest as we investigate the obstacles that get in the way.
Williams points to five beliefs shared by so many of us who are working to fight racism:
- Racism is unavoidable.
- Race matters.
- “Those people” will never change.
- Real change takes a long time.
- We don’t know how to end it.
One by one, he challenges each of these shared beliefs that stymie our imagination and thwart our actions, and shows that:
1) Racism can be avoided because it is learned, not automatic.
2) While racism matters, race is imaginary, a social construct set up to uphold power and reinforce divisions.
3) People can change – the trick is figuring out how, and then use those reason for change to “create a model for racial healing where those conditions can be met, and met quickly.”
4) Some of the greatest changes in human history have occurred in less than 25 years. For example, the time from the Wright Brothers first flight to the use of commercial air travel was 17 years. The time from the first phone call on a handheld cell phone to widespread use of the cell phone was 22 years. He has plenty of other examples to bring home the speed of change that is possible.
5) Thanks to tremendous work from anti-racist scholars and researchers, we have models, systems and structures describing exactly what is needed to do to end racism.
In coaching, once you’re clear on your vision, then you have to get clear that you are willing to take the steps needed to move toward that vision. As you take action, you seek the resources you need to accomplish the goal. You plan for the resistance and obstacles that may arise. You set up accountability structures that both inspire and encourage. You determine who you may enlist to support you along the way. You acknowledge and celebrate the milestones as you reach them.
Justin Michael Williams offers a pledge that can be signed to end racism in a generation. You can read the manifesto there as well.
I accept the challenge to take actions to realize the future I envision – to end racism and unleash the power, beauty and brilliance possible in a world where every single one of us is nurtured and encouraged to realize the fullness of who we are.
What future do you envision, and how will you bring it to life?
