As a heart leader, I’ve always been passionate about following my heart’s vision for what is possible in my life. But a few years ago, I found myself feeling burnt out, stressed, and disconnected from my purpose. I was working long hours, skipping meals, and neglecting my personal relationships in the pursuit of growing my vision and serving my clients.
It wasn’t until I hit a breaking point that I realized something needed to change. I started to explore why I felt so out of balance and discovered that to truly lead from the heart, I needed to focus on three key areas of work: working in my vision, working on my vision, and working on myself. This realization transformed my leadership and my life!
By giving each of these three key areas the attention it deserved, I was able to lead with greater clarity, purpose, and impact. My coaching practice began to thrive like never before. And in this article, I want to share this powerful framework with you.
The Three Key Areas of Work Every Heart-Centered Leader or Changemaker Must Focus On
To truly thrive as a heart-centered leader, it’s essential to focus on three key areas of work: working in your vision, which involves the day-to-day tasks of bringing your heart’s vision to life; working on your vision, which involves stepping back to clarify, plan, and expand your vision; and working on yourself, which involves prioritizing your own growth, well-being, and self-care.
Let’s explore each area in more depth and discover how you can master them to create a life and leadership path that is truly aligned with your heart’s purpose.
1. Working In Your Vision
This is the day-to-day work of bringing your heart’s vision to life. It includes tasks like serving your clients, creating content, and delivering your unique gifts to the world. This area of work is critical because it’s what allows you to make a tangible impact and fulfill your purpose.
For example, if your vision is to empower women through coaching, working in your vision might include conducting coaching sessions, creating empowering content for social media, and hosting transformational workshops.
However, the problem with solely focusing on working in your vision is that you can become so consumed by the day-to-day grind that you neglect to see the bigger picture of where you’re headed. It’s easy to get caught up in the minutiae and fail to take the time to review and analyze the results of your efforts. This is where the importance of working on your vision comes into play.
2. Working On Your Vision
Working on your vision offers you the opportunity to step back and look at the bigger picture – the 30,000-foot view of your journey. It’s a chance to celebrate your victories, acknowledge your milestones, and review your efforts. This area of work is critical because it allows you to create new strategies, make changes in direction, and ensure that your day-to-day actions are aligned with your long-term goals.
For example, if your vision is to create a thriving online community, working on your vision might include analyzing your engagement metrics, surveying your members for feedback, and brainstorming new ways to foster connection and growth within the community.
Many heart-centered leaders struggle with this area of work because it requires them to step outside of the daily hustle and dedicate time to strategic planning and reflection. However, by investing in the growth and development of your vision, you can create a more purposeful and impactful path forward.
3. Working on Yourself
As important as it is to work in and on your vision, it’s equally crucial to prioritize working on yourself. After all, you are the driving force behind your vision, and it’s only through your own growth and development that you can truly bring your vision to life.
This area of work includes practices like self-care, personal growth, and spiritual development. It’s about taking the time to, as Stephen Covey suggests, “sharpen the saw” – to invest in your own physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being so that you can show up as your best self in service of your vision.
For example, if your vision is to lead transformational retreats, working on yourself might include attending workshops to deepen your facilitation skills, engaging in a daily meditation practice to cultivate presence, and prioritizing time in nature to recharge and inspire your creativity.
Many heart-centered leaders struggle with this area of work because it can feel selfish or indulgent to prioritize their own needs. However, by neglecting your own well-being and growth, you’re putting yourself at risk of burnout, disconnection, and even losing sight of your true purpose. To truly thrive as a leader, it’s essential to make time for activities that nourish and replenish you.

Putting It All Together: Mastering the Three Key Areas of Work
Mastering these three key areas of work is an ongoing journey, not a one-time destination. It requires intentional effort, self-awareness, and a willingness to continually grow and evolve. Here are some actionable steps you can take to implement the key ideas of this article into your life:
- Assess your current balance: Take an honest look at how you’re currently allocating your time and energy across the three areas of work. Are you giving each area the attention it deserves? Identify any areas that may be neglected or overemphasized.
- Schedule dedicated time for each area: Block out time in your calendar for working in your vision, working on your vision, and working on yourself. Treat these appointments with yourself as non-negotiable commitments, just as you would with an important client or meeting.
- Set clear goals and intentions: For each area of work, define specific, measurable goals and intentions that align with your heart’s vision. What do you want to achieve in your day-to-day work? What milestones do you want to reach in the growth and development of your vision? What personal growth and self-care practices do you want to prioritize?
- Create a support system: Surround yourself with mentors, colleagues, and loved ones who understand and support your commitment to mastering the three areas of work. Seek out accountability partners, join mastermind groups, or hire a coach to help you stay on track and navigate challenges.
- Regularly review and adjust: Set aside time each week, month, and quarter to review your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your approach. Celebrate your victories, learn from your setbacks, and continually refine your strategies to ensure you’re staying aligned with your heart’s vision.
- Practice self-compassion: Remember that mastering the three areas of work is a lifelong journey, not a destination. Be kind and patient with yourself as you navigate the ups and downs of this process. Celebrate your progress, forgive your missteps, and trust that every experience is an opportunity for growth and learning.
- Lead by example: As you embody the principles of heart-centered leadership in your own life, you’ll naturally inspire others to do the same. Share your journey, your insights, and your challenges with your community. By being transparent and authentic in your own growth process, you’ll create a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond yourself.
By taking these actionable steps and committing to the ongoing journey of mastering the three key areas of work, you’ll cultivate a life and leadership path that is truly aligned with your heart’s vision.
Tending To Your Leadership Garden
As a heart-centered leader, there’s a time and a season for everything. Take time to work in your vision, bringing your gifts to the world through daily action. Take time to work on your vision, stepping back to plan, dream, and strategize. And take time to work on yourself, investing in your own growth and well-being so that you can show up as your best self in service of your vision.
This isn’t necessarily about achieving perfect work-life balance, but rather about cultivating a sense of harmony and alignment between these three key areas of work. By tending to each of these three key areas with intention and care, you’ll create a strong foundation for your leadership and your life.
Think of it like tending to a garden. As a gardener, you must spend time working in the garden – planting seeds, pulling weeds, and harvesting fruits. But you must also take the time to work on the vision you have for the garden – designing the layout, planning for the seasons, and strategizing for growth. And of course, you must also prioritize sharpening your tools and taking moments to rest by the river, read a good book, and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Final Thoughts
As you navigate this journey, remember that you are not alone. You are part of a global community of heart-centered leaders and changemakers who are committed to making a positive impact in the world. By supporting each other, sharing our wisdom, and leading from the heart, we can create ripples of change that extend far beyond ourselves.
The world needs your unique gifts and talents. By showing up as your best self and serving from a place of wholeness and authenticity, you’ll inspire others to do the same. You have the power to be the change you wish to see in the world, and to be the best that you can be for the benefit of the world.
From my heart to yours,
