The Map Out of Any Valley
Reading time: 5 minutes | Part 2 of 2 – Read Part 1: The Truth About Peaks and Valleys
Last week, I told you about peaks and valleys—about how you’re not your circumstances, and how what you believe and do determines whether you stay stuck or move forward.
Some of you are in peaks and hadn’t realized you were taking them for granted. Others are deep in valleys and feeling stuck.
This week, I want to give you the most powerful tool from Spencer Johnson’s book—and honestly, it’s the piece that aligns perfectly with everything I teach about time freedom and intentional living.
It’s called your Sensible Vision.
The Best Way Through
Remember last week, I mentioned a few friends that I was thinking about on the plane… They are all working moms juggling all the things and feeling quite underwater?
They can easily rattle off a dozen reasons of why they are stuck. But I started to wonder if they are feeling particularly stuck because they don’t have a clear vision of what’s next…or what’s even possible. They are focused on what’s wrong RIGHT NOW and they simply can’t see what could be different.
And here’s what Johnson taught me: “The best way to get through a valley is by creating and following your own sensible vision.”
What the Heck Is a “Sensible Vision”?
The Two Parts of a Sensible Vision
I love how the book breaks this down. “Sensible” means two things:
First: It’s a vision of a future peak you want to be on that makes good sense to you. Something as big as you can imagine that is also realistic and attainable if you want it enough.
Not a fantasy. Not a lottery-winning, quit-your-job-tomorrow pipe dream. But something real that you can actually create.
Second: You make it sensible by using all five senses to create an image in such specific, believable detail that you begin to realize you can make it happen.
The Vision That Pulls You Through
Here’s the magic: “Imagine how your future peak will look, sound, smell, taste, and feel until it becomes so real to you that the image of getting there pulls you through your Valley.”
Read that again. The vision doesn’t just guide you. It pulls you through because it becomes believable.
How This Actually Works (The Practical Strategy)
Let’s get practical because this isn’t just pretty philosophy—this is the strategy.
Stop Focusing on What’s Missing
If you’re in a valley right now—overwhelmed, exhausted, feeling like you’re failing at everything—you need to stop focusing only on what’s wrong or missing.
Ask: What Do I Actually Want?
Instead, ask yourself: What do I actually want?
Not “I want to be less stressed.” (That’s focusing on the valley.)
But: “I want to wake up feeling energized and excited about my day. I want to have dinner with my family without checking my phone. I want to end my workday knowing I made an impact on what truly matters.”
Make It Sensible: Using All Five Senses
Now make it SENSIBLE. Use all five senses:
What Does It Look Like?
Picture your calendar. What’s on it? What’s NOT on it? What does your workspace look like? Your evening routine?
What Does It Sound Like?
Are you laughing more? Is there quiet time? What conversations are you having?
What Does It Feel Like?
In your body—are your shoulders relaxed? Do you have energy? What emotion comes up when you think about your day?
What Does It Smell and Taste Like?
Seriously—are you having coffee in peace? Making dinner with your kids? What small sensory details make this peak real?
When you get THIS specific, something shifts. It becomes believable…
As Johnson says: “A great way to get to your next peak is to follow your sensible vision. Imagine yourself enjoying your better future in such specific, believable detail that you soon enjoy doing what takes you there!”
The Purpose of Where You Are Right Now
Here’s the quote that made me think of every coaching client I’ve ever worked with:
“The purpose of the Peak is to celebrate life, and the purpose of the Valley is to learn about life.”
Why Your Valley Has Meaning
If you’re in a valley—and I know many of you are—this season has a purpose. And trust me, I get this can be a really crappy message to receive in a dark valley. But if you can take just a few moments to see what it’s teaching you: it’s showing you what needs to change.
And your job isn’t to suffer through it. Your job is to learn from it and create a vision that pulls you forward.
Your Practical Framework (Save This!)
Johnson gives us a summary that’s pure gold. I’m sharing it in full because you need to screenshot this or print it out:
To Get Out Of A Valley Sooner:
- Find and use the good hidden in the bad times
- Relax, knowing that valleys end
- Do the opposite of what put you in the valley
- Get outside of yourself: be of more service at work and more loving in life
- Avoid comparisons
- Uncover the good that is hidden in the bad times, and use it soon to your advantage
To Stay On A Peak Longer:
- Be humble and grateful
- Do more of what got you there
- Keep making things better
- Do more for others
- Save resources for your upcoming valleys
To Get to Your Next Peak:
- Follow your sensible vision
- Imagine yourself enjoying a better future in such specific, believable detail that you soon enjoy doing what takes you there
Your Assignment: Create Your Sensible Vision
Grab your journal. Pour some coffee (or wine, no judgment).
And answer this: What is my sensible vision?
Get specific. Use all five senses. Make it so real that when you close your eyes, you can see it, feel it, hear it.
This is exactly what we do with the ALIGN Method—we get crystal clear on what you ACTUALLY want, not just what you think you should want.
Because here’s the thing: You can’t create what you can’t imagine.
And if you’re struggling to create this vision on your own?… If you keep coming back to all the reasons it won’t work instead of how it could?
That’s exactly why I’m here.
I have a few 1:1 coaching spots opening up, and I’d love to help you create your sensible vision—and then build the roadmap to get there.
Schedule a free consultation and let’s talk about what your next peak could look like.
Here’s to making your future so real you can’t help but move toward it,
Heidi
P.S. One last thought from the book: Make reality your friend. Whether you are temporarily up on a Peak or down in a Valley, ask yourself: What is the truth in this situation?
And always remember this truth: You have more power than you think. You just need the vision—and maybe a guide to help you get there.
P.P.S. His last message was this: Share it with Others! Help people make good and bad times work for them, too. If you know someone who this could help, send them this way!
Related Posts
- Part 1: The Truth About Peaks and Valleys
- Who Moved My Cheese: Lessons on Change
- The ALIGN Method: Your Path to Time Freedom
- From Chaos to Calm: Your Ideal Week Guide
