Sometimes running away from something is the most powerful motivator out there. The things you want can seem to change from day to day, month to month, year to year.

But your desire to avoid certain things will stay consistent.

This is your anti-vision. It is a list of things that you don’t want for yourself now and in the future. Instead of a list of positive things you are striving towards, it is a list of things you’re actively avoiding.

This will include basic things:

• not being hungry
• not being homeless
• not getting sick

But it can include more specific things:

• not wanting to ever miss an event your kid is in because you have to work
• not asking for financial support from a parent or sibling
• not huffing and puffing up a flight of stairs

When you don’t know what to focus on, use your anti vision as a starting point.

For instance, I don’t want to age prematurely and be unfit.

Is it super clear?

No, but at least it gives me a direction. At the very least, I know I can do things like move my body more each day. I don’t know what’s my end goal but I know it’s at least moving me in a direction that keeps my away from my version of a disaster. From there, I might notice weaknesses (eg. My knee hurts during my walks. Maybe I’m not doing enough strengthening) that can impact my next decision or action.

It’s not always easy to answer ‘What do I want?’ but we know what we don’t want.

So start there.