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Photo by Tetine

Russian dolls come in sets. They are nested wooden figures of decreasing size placed one inside another. Each wooden doll, except for the smallest one, can be pulled apart to reveal a smaller doll. 

Russian dolls are a good metaphor for goals, and every so often I come across a goal that is, metaphorically speaking, the biggest of a series of Russian dolls.  These goals seem to hold within them numerous other goals.  The picture below is one such visual goal:

To many, this image is of nothing more than a homely building in a cold place. From my perspective, however, this image is a visual goal that has galvanized me for the last three weeks.  The pictured building awakens different facets of me to a vision that’s been developing for some time.  This photograph is parsimonious. It is powerful.  It is a visual goal that encapsulates several smaller goals.  One glance at it is a powerful reminder of all the goals nested within.

The pictured building houses a condo that I would like to own. The photo, however, represents much more than property ownership. Here’s why . . .

• Many friends live within 2-miles of the pictured building, so the image represents making a larger place for friendships and community in my life.
• Because I’ll need to increase my income in order to purchase the condo, the building image also represents increased income and the continuing growth of a business.
• The pictured building is adjacent to the apartment I lived in when I came of age as an adult; that was four years ago (and long after I turned 18). The image, therefore, represents things learned during this critical period; the image also reminds me that enduring growth can result from struggle.
• I moved away from home when I was 15 and have since moved regularly because of graduate school, employment, and the desire for travel. Condo ownership thus symbolizes laying down roots in my favorite city and the beginning of a new phase of life that I’ve been seeking for some time.
• The building is two blocks away from my (very non-traditional) church. This church is a favorite community center, and the building image represents involvement with an intergenerational community.

This list could go on at length, but I’ll stop here.

The reason for the image’s power has something to do with . . .

Goal Consolidation and Radical Simplification

As illustrated with the condo picture, it’s possible to find a visual mantra. It’s possible to find one picture that radically simplifies your goals.  One picture that encapsulates so many other goals and sub-communicates several messages that bring you to life. My condo picture is the biggest of a set of Russian dolls, and I am reminded of all things nested within when I give it one quick glance.
(Photo by James Jordan)

Here’s how to find Russian doll visual goals:

• Don’t kill yourself trying to find a picture that encapsulates every single goal. In some cases, it may be impossible to find one goal that will encapsulate everything. The doll metaphor is meant to illustrate the power of goal consolidation. It’s not meant to restrict you. (If you find that the radical simplification discussed here just isn’t your style, you might want to consider creating a goal movie).
• Find a picture that can be your visual mantra. It should be one that you can look at over and over again.
• Take your time finding a picture that encapsulates other goals. If you don’t have a picture of your "big Russian doll," then go out and takes pictures (consider involving family members, props, etc. if necessary). Consider Photoshopping your visual goal if it’s impossible to take the desired picture.
• Meditate on the time when you were most happy, healthy, and alive, and pay attention to the associated mental images that these thoughts elicit. Is there one mental image that epitomizes this time in your life? Is the image relevant to you and can it be recreated as a photograph?
• Follow your gut. Make sure the selected visual goal enlivens you and wakes you up each time you see it. If a visual goal doesn’t excite you nearly every time its viewed, then it’s not the right one. It should be powerful, it should make you come alive.
• Brainstorm by making a list of as many aspects of your ideal life as possible. Next, close your eyes and see what mental images spring forth and then explore how these images can be turned into a photograph or drawing.
• Go through a photo album and find pictures that speak to you. Your visual Russian doll goal might already exist.
• Don’t rigidly keep goals that no longer speak to you. If a visual goal no longer applies, then replace it.

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(Photo by Ozyman)

[tags]visual goal setting, visual goals, Russian dolls, goal setting, goal simplification, goal consolidation, creative visualization[/tags]

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Tags: creative visualization, goal consolidation, goal setting, goal simplification, Russian dolls, visual goal setting, visual goals