Fischer: Seeing is believing when it comes to New Year’s goals

Photo supplied
Jen Fischer“Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.”
These words were spoken by 18th century German author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and they are some of my favorites. I have attempted to instill this adage into my children’s thinking as well, mostly by repeating it to them ad nauseam to the point where all I have to say is, “Whatever you do, or dream …” and they roll their eyes and finish the sentence for me. As a side note, my kids — who are all adults now, and have been for some time — still hold the record for eternal eye rolling.
Luckily for my very fortuitous children, I don’t stop there. This Wednesday, New Year’s Day, these same children and their families are all invited to meet at my home, where we will embark upon our annual tradition of designing our own vision boards. The idea of a vision board is not foreign to most people. Essentially, it is effective “goal setting.” Rather than making the same list of “goals” that are made every year on a sheet of lined paper and then sticking it in a drawer after failing to show up at the gym on week three of the new year, this is much more intentional.
In effect, energy flows where attention goes. The board is simply a visual manifestation representing what you want to do, have or be. It may sound a little surreal and enigmatic, but it works. Olympic athletes use visualization all the time to achieve their goals. So do normal people like you and me.
I have used this tool for years to realize my most important dreams. Admittedly, some of my ambitions have been visually manifest for years at a time before being realized; however, these are big goals and I will continue to re-manifest until I put them into action.
Last week, I had a client come in from out of town to look at homes. Her job is transferring her to Utah, and she is planning to purchase her first home. She is 23 years old. We found her a great little starter home in a good neighborhood close to her work. Inspections are done, appraisal has been ordered and she is well on her way to owning her first home.
She wanted it, she visualized it and now it is happening for her.
I think back to when I was that age; I was in my fifth year of my seven-year stint in college. Although I realize that most people who spend seven years in college are called “doctors” by the end, I was simply still working on my bachelor’s. In my defense, I was attempting to work my way through school without taking out student loans and without living in my parents’ basement (which was not an option). It took a while.
Either way, I hadn’t visualized homeownership for myself at that time.
Shortly after having my first child, however, I began to see my little family in a home of our very own. The visual was initiated by the near-life-threatening “altercation” I had gotten into with some punks outside my apartment window who had awakened my colicky baby from a rare sleep.
Without thinking, I stormed outside and informed these hooded gang members of the possible consequences of their appalling oversight. I’m sure they were very afraid, but before I could get a response, I was firmly escorted back inside by a kind neighbor, who clearly did not have as much confidence in my ability to intimidate these oversized delinquents as I did, all while mumbling something about wanting to get myself killed. I wasn’t scared.
Either way, this event initiated a vision. Less than a year later, we were in our first home. Fast forward several years later, and I very well could be in my last. Not because I’m old or planning to meet the Grim Reaper anytime soon, but simply because I am in my dream home. My vision board will not include a new home. However, it will include, as it has every year, the word “home.”
What my 23-year-old client doesn’t know is that, while she is reaching her goal of homeownership, she is also helping me achieve mine as well. That is, helping people realize their vision — the great American dream of homeownership.
Jen Fischer is an associate broker and Realtor. She can be reached at 801-645-2134 or jen@jen-fischer.com.