Creating A Vision For The Future

In order to create a vision for life that will replace the addiction and provide motivation for change we need to build a lifestyle that is fits your vision and use goal setting to maintain commitment and motivation.

But first we need to look at values, as a vision that is not cemented in a personal value system will feel shallow and meaningless and be quickly forgotten.

STEP 1

Establishing your values

Values can be defined as the principles in our life from which we derive meaning and fulfilment. They form our belief system that tells us what is right and what is wrong so that when we live a life in line with our personal values, we can feel good about ourselves.

Those values can be used to determine our priorities and our decision making.

So, ask yourself “In what way has your addiction contradicted your personal value system?”

By reclaiming and recommitting to our personal value system, we can get back in touch with the things that give meaning and purpose to life.

Below is an exercise to help consider some common personal values. The list is by no means exhaustive so working through it may trigger additional values that are of more importance – just add them to the list.

Please go through the list and tick the 10 or more values that are most important to you and then rank them in order of importance and priority – where 1 is the most important.

Value List

Acceptance (To be accepted as I am)

Accuracy (To be accurate in my opinions and beliefs)

Achievement (to have important accomplishment)

Adventure (to have new and exciting experiences)

Attractiveness (to be physically attractive)

Authority (to be in charge and responsible for others)

Autonomy (to be self determined and independent)

Beauty (to appreciate beauty around me)

Caring (to take care of others)

Challenge (to take on difficult tasks and problems)

Change ( to have a life full of change and variety)

Comfort (to have a pleasant and comfortable life)

Commitment ( to make enduring, meaningful commitments)

Compassion (to feel and act on concern for others)

Contribution ( to make a lasting contribution to the world)

Cooperation (to work collaboratively with others)

Courtesy (to be considerate and polite toward others)

Creativity ( to have new and original ideas)

Dependability ( to be relaibae and trustworthy)

Duty (to carry out my duties and obligations)

Ecology (to live in harmony with the environment)

Excitement (to have a life full of thrills and stimulation)

Faithfulness ( to be loyal and true in relationships)

Fame ( to be known and recognised)

Family ( to have a happy, loving

Fitness ( to be physically fit and strong)

Flexibility ( to adjust to new circumstances easily)

Forgiveness ( to be forgiving of others)

Service ( to be of service to others)

Sexulaity ( to have an active and satisfying sex life)

Simplicity ( to live live simply, with minimal needs)

Solitude ( to have time and space where I can be apart from others)

Spirituality ( to grow and mature spiritually)

Friendship (to have close, supportive friends)

Fun ( to play and have fun)

Generosity ( to give what I have to others)

Genuineness ( to act in a manner that is true to who I am)

God’s Will ( to seek and obey the will of God)

Growth ( to keep changing and growing)

Health ( to be physically well and healthy)

Helpfulness ( to be helpful to others)

Honesty (to be honest and truthful)

Hope ( to maintain a positive and optimistic outlook)

Humility ( to be modest and unassuming)

Humour ( to see the humourous side of myself and the world)

Independence ( to be free from dependence on others)

Industry ( to work hard and well at lifes tasks)

Inner Peace ( to experience personal peace)

Intimacy ( to share my innermost experiences with others)

Justice ( to promote fair and equal treatment for all)

Knowledge ( to learn and contribute valuable knowledge)

Leisure ( to take time to relax and enjoy)

Loved ( to be loved by those close to me)

Loving ( to give love to others)

Mastery ( to be competent in my everyday activities)

Mindfulness ( to live conscious and mindful in the present moment)

Monogamy ( to have one close, loving relationship)

Non-conformity ( to question and challenge authority and norms)

Nurturance ( to take care of and nurture others)

Order ( to have a life that is well-ordered and organised)

Passion ( to have deep feelings about ideas, activities, or people)

Pleasure ( to feel good)

Stability ( to have a life that stays fairly consistent)

Tolerance ( to accept and respect those who differ from me)

Tradition ( to follow respected patterns of the past )

Virtue ( to live a morally pure and excellent life )

Wealth ( to have plenty of money)