The ABCDEs of Vision Development: A Framework for Growth and Clarity

At different points in life and leadership, we all reach moments where we want more clarity. Sometimes it’s about re-centering after a busy season, sometimes it’s about setting direction for a new project or role, and sometimes it’s simply about pausing to reconnect with what matters most.

That’s where vision development comes in. A well-crafted vision doesn’t just list goals—it helps you imagine what’s possible, align with your values, and invite others into your journey.

In my work with leaders and teams, I’ve found that visioning is most effective when guided by five elements. I call these the ABCDEs of Vision Development: Aspirational, Becoming, Collaborators, Desired State, and Emergent.

The ABCDEs of Vision Development

A – Aspirational

Your vision should stretch you. Goals you can easily accomplish don’t inspire growth. Aspirational visioning is about giving yourself permission to think bigger than your current reality and imagine possibilities that feel expansive and energizing.

Don’t worry about the “how” right away—focus on what excites and inspires you.

B – Becoming

Vision isn’t only about what you want to do. It’s about who you want to become.

Ask yourself: What qualities do I want to embody? Do I want to grow in patience, courage, or boldness? Do I want to lean more into my natural strengths, or stretch into new ways of showing up?

When you frame your vision around becoming, you shift from constant doing to purposeful being.

C – Collaborators & Community

No vision is built alone. Even if you consider yourself highly independent, your growth is always influenced and supported by others.

Think about who you want by your side. Who inspires you? Who challenges you? Who do you want to support in return? Collaboration brings energy, accountability, and joy to the visioning process.

D – Desired State

Goals matter, but they’re not the vision itself. A vision is about the state of being you’re working toward.

For example, running a marathon may be a goal—but the deeper desired state could be vitality, strength, or long-term health. Goals are milestones; your desired state is the bigger umbrella under which they sit.

Ask yourself: What state of being do I want to cultivate? Vibrancy? Peace? Impact? Fulfillment?

E – Emergent

Life doesn’t always unfold according to plan—and often that’s where the real growth happens. Visioning is about commitment, but also about flexibility.

Being emergent means noticing opportunities, adapting to new circumstances, and flowing with what life offers. Instead of rigid control, it’s about being clear on what matters most while staying open to how it takes shape.

This mindset not only reduces frustration, it often leads to outcomes richer than anything you could have planned.

Questions to Guide Your Vision

When you’re ready to sit down and work on your vision, create the right conditions—be rested, centered, and grounded. Then reflect on prompts like these:

What qualities do I want to cultivate in myself right now?

Who are the collaborators or communities I want to journey with?

What is my desired state, beyond specific goals?

How can I remain open and adaptive as my vision unfolds?

Final Thoughts

Vision development isn’t about creating a perfect plan. It’s about clarifying what inspires you, who you want to become, and how you want to show up in your work and life.

The ABCDEs—Aspirational, Becoming, Collaborators, Desired State, Emergent—offer a framework that’s flexible, human-centered, and deeply practical. Use them whenever you’re ready to pause, reimagine, or grow into your next chapter.