Home >> Appendix The Vision Exercise: I went through the 7 areas listed in Jack Canfield’s book and wrote down my vision of where I wanted to be in each.  As he suggested, I wrote it as if it was already reality and I read it every day. I am sharing it with you as an example.  Yours will probably be much different.  I would love to read it. If you want to share your vision exercise, please e-mail it to jeanne@jeannerussell.com.  I might start a forum on this site for sharing dreams and discussing success issues. Write your vision and then read it before planning your day. That way your ultimate goals are always front and center in your mind.  You might need to change your vision often. That is ok.  Just keep it in your consciousness.

Here is my vision of where I want my life to be.

I earn over $100,000 a year and spend $10,000 on vacation and $20,000 on investments and savings.  I have health and dental insurance that covers me for a major accident or illness.

I live in an old home that is perfectly maintained.  There is a large front porch that faces a quiet street (in town).  I am walking distance from amenities including a coffee shop, Pub, and community center (where I enjoy taking and teaching classes).

My house is filled with original artwork and textiles. I have a fireplace.  The rooms are spacious and perfect for entertaining.

My yard is well maintained.  In the back I have a slate patio with wrought iron furniture. The back is secluded with a Labyrinth in the very back.

It is quiet and peaceful and has flowers and walkways and a fountain. 

When you walk into my house you feel immediately welcome and comfortable.

I am a nationally syndicated columnist that does a weekly column on subjects that interest me. I am also an occasional actor in movies and on stage.  I have had a screenplay that i wrote made into a movie.

I run several on-line businesses and have changed the way my local community views “business”.  I have helped improve the lives of many by sharing my unconventional approach to “work”.

I travel periodically promoting my book(s) and ideas and do lots of interviews.  I am a sought after talk show guest for my wit and humor.  Sometimes I help others promote their books and I have published and promoted several of my son’s stories as well.

I have an agent who helps me get my writing and ideas to the right people.

I have lots of interesting friends who come by for dinner quite frequently.

Daniel and I like to camp and hike together. We often write during these trips. I have taken up horseback riding and pottery again.

We have been on a walking tour of Scotland, explored the Greek Isles and visited Romania.

I am lean and disease-free. I exercise daily and eat healthy tasty food. I live to be over 100 years old and attribute my longevity to my positive mental attitude. I finally love to drink water.  My eyesight is good and my teeth are beautiful and pain-free. I have sweet breath.

I have an easy quilt-free relationship with my family. I see more of Jack and we all enjoy each others’ company. I have good friends and deep friendships that sustain me.

I have a wonderful man in my life who has goals and dreams that he pursues but also supports my goals and dreams. Our visions mesh. He has a playful quality and a great sense of humor and fun. He is comfortable in any company and can enjoy and be at ease talking with a Janitor or a Queen.  He loves Daniel and loves animals.

I am a lifelong learner. I attend seminars, college classes, acting classes and take lessons in anything that interests me.  I have attended several Smithsonian classes at Oxford.

I continue to explore new interests for the rest of my life. Sometimes I immerse myself in one area of learning before moving on to something else. I meet all sorts of interesting people in these classes and seminars and create and maintain wonderful friendships with the people I meet in them.

I live primarily in Edinburg but spend time in big cities as well (including DC, London, and New York.) I love to attend the theater both locally and in the larger cities.  I support the arts in many ways.

Edinburg has become a Mecca for artists and musicians and I have played a role in that.  (The Walmart in Woodstock has closed because everyone has started buying from local small businesses) and the small town feel is back.

I spend volunteer time helping troubled teens see new possibilities for themselves.  I have become a master of goal setting and and teach teens how to: first give themselves permission to dream and then set goals and plans to make those dreams come true.

There is a community and cultural arts center in Edinburg which is a hubbub of activity and really has given the youth of our community a place to hang out and discover positive things to do.

There are extensive and safe bike paths from Harrisonburg to Strasburg and we have become a bicyclists’ vacation destination; with cyclists frequenting the theaters, wineries, shops, and gourmet restaurants that are here.

I love my life!!!!

Cast of Characters