You too can think like U2

Behold the pragmatic power of a vision.

I hear the album The Joshua Tree in my mind usually around this time of year.

Maybe it’s because this seminal record by the iconic (and ear-conic) Irish rock band U2 was released in the month of March. March 9, 1987, to be exact.

I remember getting the CD and playing it almost non-stop that Spring and into Summer.

The album is a masterpiece.

But I’m not going to geek-out and talk about the songs, the musicianship, the production or the album art — all of which is phenomenal and monumental.

What I  am going to talk about is how that album can teach you about Vision.

Because the songs on the album The Joshua Tree take you to places.

You actually see or visualize the “desert skies” the band sings about in a song like “In God’s Country.” Not simply from the lyrics or the album art, but from the music itself.

The soundscape creates the landscape.

As founder and lead guitarist, the Edge, described what was so unique about that record. He said the following:

“Cinematic music…that was our way of describing it. Music that actually brought you somewhere…somewhere physical as opposed to an emotional place. Actually a real location.”

This all brings me to a way to help you.

The last few weeks I have been in several conversations and a similar phrase kept coming up.

The phrase? “I’m stuck.”

Stuck on a project.

Stuck in a job.

Stuck in your career.

You pick the rut, people are stuck.

But there’s a way to get un-stuck.

There’s a very smart coaching technique called  “Visioning.”

When you’re stuck, think of a vision. (Oh, stay with me, it’s a lot more pragmatic than the word “vision” suggests.)

If you’re stuck on a project ask:

“What does a perfect project look like?”

And then write down the answer.

Or…

“If you could do anything what would you do?

And then write down the answer.

Or if you’re at a career crossroads you might conjure up a vision to these prompts:

“Imagine three years from right now. What are you doing? Where are you? Give me details. How does it feel?”

And write the answers down.

The answers to these questions start to reveal solutions.

You are, quite literally, seeing your way out of a challenge.

Visioning helps you look up and out from your rut.

Now you don’t have to be a visionary artist like Bono or the Edge to come up with a vision.

You simply need to see something in your mind’s eye, something you want to have happen.

Write that vision down.

Then start to figure out the steps it might take to make the vision real.

In fact, you can start right now and ask yourself: “What does a perfect day for you look like?”

Now, if for whatever reason you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, close your eyes and let go.

Your own personal Joshua Tree is out there. You just have to imagine it.

Or listen for it.