From Drift to Direction: The Quiet Power of Vision

Craig Law-Smith
Jun 4
4 min read

Recently, I’ve been working with several clients on crafting a vision for their future. For many, the process brings up hesitancy. This is an understandable response when stepping into the unknown. The fear of not knowing is deeply human. But as uncertain as the future may feel, having a vision, a North Star, can provide clarity, direction, and momentum.

Without a vision, we’re like a ship drifting wherever the wind blows. But with a vision, we can notice the wind, adjust our sails, and chart a course toward where we most want to go.

As Seneca said, “ If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.”

A Vision Is Not a Goal

I like to think of a vision not as a rigid goal, but as a living aspiration, something you hold gently while learning and growing along the way. When we grip a goal too tightly and make it the only measure of success, we risk stress, disappointment, and missing the joy of the journey.

A vision, by contrast, provides orientation without pressure. It’s a felt sense of possibility which is anchored in purpose but open to evolution.

The Neuroscience Behind Vision

For those who seek a deeper understanding of why vision matters, neuroscience offers powerful insights. Two concepts are particularly relevant: the Reticular Activating System (RAS) and the predictive brain.

1. The Reticular Activating System: Your Brain’s Filter

The RAS is a network of neurons in the brainstem that regulates wakefulness, attention, and focus. At any moment, your senses take in millions of bits of information, but your brain can only process a small fraction. The RAS acts as the gatekeeper, filtering in what’s important and filtering out the rest.

When you create a vision and focus on it consistently, you’re essentially priming your RAS to notice opportunities, resources, and relationships that align with it. This is why, when you start thinking about adopting a dog, say, a Labrador, you suddenly begin seeing Labradors everywhere.

The RAS, when paired with something you deeply care about, helps sustain attention and motivation, even in the face of obstacles.

2. The Predictive Brain: Programming Possibility

Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. Regina Pally explains that the brain is not a passive receiver of information—it’s a prediction machine. We don’t just respond to the world as it is; we perceive the world as our brain expects it to be.

These predictions are based on internal models shaped by past experience. Without a clear vision, the brain defaults to old stories, often rooted in fear, limitation, or outdated beliefs. But with a vision, we update those internal models. We train the brain to expect and prepare for a better future.

Vision, then, is more than motivation, it’s a neurobiological imperative. It changes what you notice, how you feel, and the actions your brain makes available.

How to Create a Vision That Guides You

Below is a practical framework I use in workshops and with clients which is anchored in reflection, clarity, and action.

Step 1: Begin with Deep Reflection

Before jumping into aspirations, take time to reflect on what truly matters.

Prompts:

What do I care most deeply about?
What brings me joy and energy?
What drains my energy?
Where in life or work have I felt most alive?
What impact do I want to make?

Step 2: Envision Your Future Self

Invite your imagination to lead. This primes your predictive brain and starts shaping new possibilities.

Prompts:

Imagine it’s five years from now and things have gone incredibly well—what’s happening in your life and work?
What brings you energy and purpose?
How do you feel when you wake up in the morning?
Who are you spending time with? What community surrounds you?
What are you doing—and what’s no longer part of your life?
What impact are you having?

Step 3: Articulate with Emotion and Clarity

Write a brief vision statement that resonates deeply and is easy to remember.

Tips:

Use the present tense: “I am…” or “I lead…”
Keep it simple and meaningful
Don’t aim for perfection—clarity comes with iteration

Step 4: Externalize the Vision

Bring it into your environment so your RAS can keep it front and center.

Ideas:

A sticky note on your desk or mirror
A vision board or symbolic object nearby
A recurring journal prompt
Your phone or desktop background

Step 5: Revisit and Recalibrate

Vision isn’t static, it evolves as you grow.

Ask:

Is this still true for me?
What’s become clearer?
What needs updating?

This practice builds self-leadership, adaptability, and alignment over time.

A Final Reflection

Vision is not about certainty—it’s about intentionality. It’s how we move from reacting to creating, from drifting to directing.

I’d love to hear from you:

What tools or practices have helped you create and live into your vision?

What’s one thing you’re curious about right now when it comes to conscious leadership and sustained peak performance?

Warm regards,

Craig

Wave Coaching offers keynotes, workshops, and private 1:1 coaching, book to connect.