What is your Vision?
If you’ve known me for even a short time, you may have seen one
of my “titles” as “Visionary Speaker.” I didn’t choose the word “vision” on a
whim, but rather with an intention I’d like to share with you.
Vision for our businesses involves achievable, specific
goals, initiating action and participation from others. Your mission, the
purpose or reason for your business, differs from your vision, which is where
you aspire to be. By envisioning your next goal, your next milestone, you
continue the momentum toward where you see your business in the future. The
vision for your business – and my business – requires we clearly establish the
necessary steps to get us there.
"If you don't know where
you're going, you'll end up somewhere else." – Yogi Berra
A vision without action, then, simply stays in Today. We need
to keep our strength of character, energy, and necessary knowledge to carry our
vision along the path to success. It takes more than words to form and carry out
your vision in today’s marketplace, and merely emphasizing the vision isn’t
enough to motivate us or our teams. We need to provide clear-cut directions,
instructions, and encouragement along the way.
Our vision requires discipline and focus. Creativity. And a
little bit of dreaming. I’m serous about the dreaming – we need to think with
our hearts and not our heads, to form a vision that’s compelling and exciting
enough to show the big picture, rather than simply solving a few of the
challenges you’re currently facing in your business. What’s more, doing away
with any fear in a vision leads to real change, rather than endlessly putting
out fires.
Finally, and most importantly, our vision should tie
directly to our core values. We’re all under the pressure to respond to
changes, grow, and innovate; but who we are and how we define ourselves by our
values keeps us grounded to continue the charge toward our vision. I encourage
you to set an appointment with yourself every month or so to check in on your
vision and make sure it still aligns with your core values, logical parameters
of your business’ operations, and milestones for growth. Adjust where necessary
and keep moving forward.
I live the vision for my business every day, and I’m excited
for you to do the same. Let’s Win and Win Big together.
Brian.