4 vision casting tools

At start of each new year, my favorite thing to do is set goals and vision cast for the year ahead. Typically around November, I purchase my goal planner and begin reflecting on the past year. Throughout December, I journal through endless goal-setting prep-work, habits I want to cultivate, and select my “word of the year.” Then in January, RJ and I plan our annual Couples Vision Retreat. It’s become our favorite tradition and a time of connecting and setting our hearts on our shared hopes and dreams for the year ahead.

You could say New Years is my favorite time of year.

I know a lot of people feel exactly the opposite at the beginning of the new year — overwhelmed and anxious, even depressed. When a new year rolls around (similar to a birthday), we’re encouraged, if not forced, to self-reflect. There’s also pressure around setting resolutions, getting “in shape,” and doing all the things you’ve been putting off.

I was out to eat with friends before New Years Eve and one friend shared, “I’m not a resolutions guy.” He asked if RJ or I set resolutions, while sharing that resolutions stress him out.

“I love resolutions!!” I piped in, to several surprised looks. I didn’t realized I’d said it so excitedly!

A few things have helped me to love the time of year where a year ends and a new year begins. I’ll share a few of them with you here, as well as a note about vision casting, God moments in vision casting, and mindfulness.

Vision Casting Tools

Powersheets

One of my favorite tools that I’ve used for almost five years is the Powersheets Goal Planner from Cultivate What Matters. I followed their founder on Instagram years ago and love the faith-filled and grace-filled way this goal planner helps you “cultivate what matters most” throughout the year. When I share that I spend a heavy amount of time prepping for a new year — the Powersheets are what I follow!

When it comes to goal setting and using Powersheets, I follow the motto, “Make a mess.” Oftentimes what stops us from getting started is perfectionism. I remember the first time I bought the Powersheets planner, I was afraid to “mess it up.” I didn’t want to write anything until I had the perfect pen, the perfect handwriting, the perfect plan. The term “Make a mess” came from the Powersheets — encouragement to get messy and not let perfectionism stop the goal setting process.

Perfectionism can also sneak into vision casting and goal setting when we believe our habits have to be on-track, consistent, and rigid. I experienced this kind of mental block when I coached women toward their health and fitness goals. Perfectionism would creep in when a group member missed a couple of workouts. The whole plan went down the drain. By having a mindset of flexibility along the way, we allow grace into the goal setting process. It’s okay to miss a day. Instead of throwing in the towel, try again tomorrow. Progress > Perfection.

Couples Vision Retreat

A second vision casting tool that RJ and I have used every year together is our Couples Vision Retreat. You can read all about our process on The Blog post: Planning a Couples Vision Retreat and get our Vision Questions to plan your own retreat.

If you aren’t sure where to start with vision casting and values-based goal planning, I’d love to help you get started and strategize how to live a more intentional, purpose-filled life. Grab our Couples Vision Retreat Workbook for an intentional guide through your own vision retreat. It includes over 80 intentional questions to set a vision for your year and connect more deeply with your partner.

Have questions? Send me a DM!

Creating a Digital Vision Board

Another tool, for after you’ve completed your vision retreat and have a solid foundation for your goals, is to create a digital vision board. Download my free template!

Each January, after our vision retreat, RJ and I create digital vision boards using the linked template. The vision board can become your phone lock screen or computer background to help keep your vision and goals in front of you throughout the year. Having a visual representation of your goals will help keep your eye on the prize and keep you motivated little-by-little.

Visioneering by Andy Stanley

The fourth tool I love for vision casting is a book called Visioneering by Andy Stanley. I read Visioneering in my early-20s and it helped greatly with decision-making, personal development, and growing in my leadership and personal vision. I recommend this book to anyone who’s questioning their purpose in life. The book walks through the story of Nehemiah to help discover your personal life vision.

PODCAST RESOURCE: I also highly recommend this podcast episode with Andy Stanley on Spotify for Goal Setting for Leaders. It’s 20 minutes and worth a listen!

A Note on Faith and Vision Casting

Now that you know four (okay, five!) of my favorite vision casting tools, I’ll share a brief story of how God popped into my vision casting plans this year to say hello.

But first, a note — I encourage you, if you’ve not already done so, to invite God into your vision casting process. Pray that God’s will be done in and through your goals and vision, such as — “God, would you show me Your vision for my [relationships] and would Your will be done in my [career/business goals] this year. Align my vision to Yours, God.”

God Pops In

Yesterday, as I was writing updates to the Couples Vision Retreat Workbook, my neighbor and colleague, Lyzz, texted me several photos that stopped me in my tracks and brought me to tears. (Hello, God.) The photos were of her two daughters, sitting in her new office at Atlanta Wellness Collective Acworth, helping her move in her things.

“Moving helpers,” she texted along with the photos. “They LOVE this space. Thank you. 💕”

You see, her new office was my old office, as I’ve moved out and no longer occupy a full time office space in our buildings.

What was the God moment?… you might be wondering.

In the photos of Lyzz’s daughters, who mean so much to me, sat the chairs that adorned my vision board for YEARS before becoming a counselor. These chairs now grace Lyzz's office, once my own workspace, and this brought me the happiest tears! (Thanks, God!)

My journey to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) began at 18, when I first met other LPCs and God changed my life trajectory.

In my early 20s, deep in the stress of grad school, I added two Distressed Velvet Viv Swivel Chairs from West Elm to my vision board. These were the chairs I envisioned in my own counseling office one day, where I would sit across from my clients, and live out God’s calling on my life to counsel. These chairs represented everything to me — career, purpose, freedom, calling, healing, passion, identity. I screenshot a photo of the chair from the West Elm website and had it on my vision board throughout grad school and beyond.

The pink Distressed Velvet Viv Swivel Chairs from West Elm were on my vision board for over 5 years, as I completed graduate school, my associate license work under supervision, my doctorate degree, my first several years in practice. When I added the chairs to my OG vision board, I never imagined being able to afford them, much less a space to house them. We were dreaming big. These chairs were “office goals.”

Fast forward to 2020, TEN YEARS after my journey to become a LPC began, the gorgeous, pink Distressed Velvet Viv Swivel Chairs from West Elm were our very first furniture purchase for Atlanta Wellness Collective Acworth. On opening day, I’d finally be sitting in those chairs.

I remember walking into West Elm and out of West Elm after purchasing them. I remember the sales rep, Tori, who helped me with my order. I remember everything about delivery day. The excitement. The dream and vision coming to reality. The chairs became a reality. No longer a photo on my vision board, they sat right there in my office.

I counseled in those chairs for three years, witnessing enormous life change, growth, bravery, and healing take place across from where I sat in those chairs. I amassed a following of 50K followers on TikTok with mental health videos I’d create sitting in the chairs. They were a video regular. Everyone always asked where I got them.

Fast forward and we opened a second mental health office 1.5 years after Acworth opening. We have since amassed dozens of chairs and couches to furnish 17 offices and three lobbies. But it all started on my a vision board with those “pink Viv Swivels,” as the West Elm design rep, Tori, called them.

Yesterday, I sat editing the Couples Vision Retreat Workbook for you, planning our own retreat in a few short weeks, when I received the text and photos. Lyzz and her sweet girls in front of the Viv Swivels. Pure enjoyment for her new office space — a space where Lyzz helps bring healing and health to her clients. I am reminded that God’s vision is so much bigger than my vision.

Only God knew His vision. His vision for the chairs. His vision for more chairs. His bigger vision.

I didn’t know when I bought them that I’d sit in the Viv Swivels for only a few short years before passing on the baton. I didn’t know God’s plan for our company or for my role in it. I didn’t know at 20-years-old that the Viv Swivels were representative of what would be 17 (current) spaces where clients would come and benefit from our counseling and therapy services. I didn’t even dare dream of Atlanta Wellness Collective back then. Who would’ve known?! But the Viv Swivels…those I knew would become a reality.

His vision is so much greater than your own.

With this, I hope to encourage you: Share your vision! Write down your vision! Create the vision board! Pray that God will align your vision with His. I don’t know what your “Viv Swivels” are? But I guarantee you have something in mind. Speak it out, screenshot it, and share it, then watch how God’s plan and vision manifests. I bet it will be even bigger than you imagine… brilliant.

Dr. Nicole

Proverbs 16:9: “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps."

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