The “I” in the Vision

by Angell Berry, LPC, MHSP

Several years ago, Michelle Obama released an inspiring memoir about her life; the name of her book was Becoming.  As I reflect on the season we are currently in, closing the curtain on 2025 and stepping into 2026, I am reminded of a tradition that many take part in during this time  - vision capturing. 

People usually think about their goals/vision for the year – writing the book, getting that promotion, losing weight, strengthening their marriage, launching the business, etc.  Many, however, neglect the most important vision of all – themselves.

How you see yourself will govern whether you succeed or falter in the goals set before you.  How you see yourself determines what types of goals you set or whether you set any goals at all.  From a mental health perspective, vision work doesn’t begin with tasks, projections, and love-life lists for year 2026.  It begins with you, your identity, and your perception of yourself.  So, I ask the questions – who are you and who are you becoming? 

The first step to identity vision work is to reflect on your current narrative – these are the things you tell yourself when no one is around listening.

According to positive psychology, your identity narrative is shaped by your values, beliefs, personality, and external factors such as relationships, culture, life experiences, and social roles.  A big part of how you show up today may be rooted in the messages your family of origin instilled in you, both in what they said and what they modeled.  Or much of how you show up today may be rooted in the roles you learned to carry in your family, relationships, and the world—such as the fixer, the strong one, or the responsible one. 

I encourage you to take a moment to think about where you are today, identify your current identity narrative, and answer the question “Who do I say I am?”

The next step in vision work is to imagine what’s possible and get clear on who you desire to become. For example, if you’re known as the fixer—at home or at work—you may often find yourself depleted or on the edge of burnout. Even if you value being dependable, you might begin to wonder if there’s a healthier way to show up.  If this resonates, you may decide: This year, I want to become a woman who honors her own boundaries and respects the boundaries of others, who prioritizes her mental wellness, and who protects her capacity.  Take a moment with this. And begin to picture the woman you desire to become in this next season.

The final step is to identify any gaps between your current identity and your becoming identity.  The key here is to discover any roadblocks that could impede your growth as you evolve.  A common identity roadblock is the fear that changing will lead to rejection by family, friends, or colleagues. When these roadblocks feel hard to move through alone, working with a therapist can be a supportive next step.

In the words of James Clear, “We do not rise to the level of our goals”.  We rise to the level of who we believe we are which drives what we believe we have the aptitude to accomplish.  As you take time this month to pause and identify your vision for this year, why not begin with identifying your becoming goal? While the traditional approach to goal setting is setting goals and then becoming the person who can achieve those goals, why not try something different this year by first becoming the person and allowing goals to organically emerge? 

If you’ve ever struggled with achieving your New Year's resolutions, the answer may be in the becoming. 

Angell Berry, LPC, MHSP is a contract therapist at Alice Stricklin Counseling and is accepting new clients.