One Insight
We’re three weeks into 2025. Close your eyes for a second and imagine what you see at the end of the year: your life at its best.
Maybe you’ve hit the top of your game in your craft, smashed through barriers at work, or created a thriving family environment. Whatever you see—consider that a vision for the future.
Here’s the thing: vision isn’t just some daydream. It’s a powerful tool. When you imagine a compelling future, you’re giving yourself a clear sense of direction. Vision becomes the target you can work towards one step at a time.
And here’s where it gets real: vision without action is just a wish. That’s where goals come in. Your goals are the steps that bring your vision to life. And not all goals are created equal.
There are many “types” of goals, from short to long-term to process, performance and outcome goals, and more… Let’s not get bogged down by the nuances. Rather, let’s think about two orientations of goals for now—internal and external goals.
Internal Goals are 100% within your control—like committing to a daily meditation practice.
External Goals rely on factors outside your control—like landing a promotion at work.
At Finding Mastery, we like to over-index on internal goals, because… well, it puts us in control. External goals are cool too, but by definition, we’re not in control of achieving them.
Internal goals are yours to own. When you focus on what you can control, you build confidence, momentum, and can even achieve a “flow” state—all the things that make achieving your vision possible.
One Action to Take
As we move into the year ahead, here’s how to turn your vision into action:
📝 Write your vision down.
Take a few minutes today to brainstorm, journal, and reflect. Get crystal clear on your vision for the next year, five years, and beyond. What does success look like for you—professionally, personally, or athletically? Write this down.
Then, outline your internal goals. These goals should lead into your vision. These are the habits and routines you can commit to daily, no matter what. Maybe it’s practicing gratitude every morning or dedicating 30 minutes a day to learning a new skill.
When you focus on these small, consistent wins, you’ll see how they start stacking up, aligning your daily actions with your long-term vision.
One Takeaway from the Podcast
For an inspiring example of vision in action, revisit our conversation with Adam Cheyer on the Finding Mastery podcast. Adam grew up fascinated by magic, and that curiosity became the foundation of his vision. This vision led him to co-found Change.org and create something every iPhone user across the world is familiar with… Siri! Both are projects that combine innovation with a meaningful impact.
Adam’s story reminds us that vision is about more than just achieving goals; it’s about seeing the world differently and daring to make it better.
Check out Adam Chayer: Ep 81—Having a Vision, Approaching Insurmountable Challenges, and Authenticity on Finding Mastery and see how you can apply this thinking to your own journey.
Now it’s your turn: what’s your vision? What goals are you setting to make it a reality?
Share your insights with us on social: @MichaelGervais and @FindingMastery on IG or on our LinkedIn, And if this email sparked something for you, pass it along to someone who could use the inspiration.
With Fire,
Dr. Mike and the Finding Mastery Team