How do you feel about your future? Recently, I’ve been consulting for a couple of non-profit organizations. Both are at various stages of panic and demise, hence my involvement as an advisor. Both organizations lack leadership—but more important, neither organization has a clear picture (vision) of the future; Without a vision, they are perishing.
So the question has to be asked: why do organizations perish without a vision?
It really is part of the human condition. We are designed or created to be more than our current environment; like it or not, that is part of our existence. Not to strive to become more than we are affects us the way that not breathing would affect our internal system; it would die a slow death. So like these organizations, each of us needs to have a future vision of our lives, at least a list of what we intend to do. We all know that not all plans work out but if we have no plans, we know the amount of success that will achieve!
Let me be clear: your vision is not the same as your purpose. Your purpose is your reason for being—the focus of your life and self. Vision, however, is about where you are going, not who you are. Both are important. In fact, your vision must be supported by your purpose; but the vision provides that propelling energy to move forward. If an individual or organization does not have a clear vision, others will not be attracted. It is the energy that the vision brings that draws people to it.
What if your teenager came up to you and stated that he or she planned to not finish school, never get a job, and live under the local bridge, begging for money to live. How would you feel? Awful, of course. But why? Because forward motion is our providence.
I am writing about this topic now because I need to embrace my own counsel. Since purchasing Consulting Resource Group International, Inc. (CRG) just over a year ago, we have made significant strides: created a new Website, converted several of our print-based assessment tools to an online format, designed a proprietary affiliate matrix, and grown from two staff to 10 full- and part-time team members.
Wow! Most would feel that’s a lot for a year but over the last couple of weeks, I was restless. Why? I discovered I was not focusing on our future vision but was instead getting wrapped up in the day-to-day events.
Yes, it is very important to be in the moment and enjoy it, but at the same time, your enjoyment of the moment comes from the energy created by a clear future direction and vision. A fine balance between the two must occur. To live only in the future is dysfunctional; not to be able to clearly articulate your vision is a sure case of disaster.
My vision for CRG is that in 5 to 7 years, we will be seen by our peers and clients—if not the number one—one of the top 10 resource centers/organizations for personal and professional development in the world. I have just publicly shared with you my vision for CRG.
With exposure and authenticity comes accountability and vulnerability. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. Why is my vision so large? (It may be small compared to some of you.) Because if we achieve that level of success, I know that many lives will be changed for the better through our learning processes; that’s what really drives me and the CRG Team.
In a recent conversation with Mark Victor Hansen, coauthor of the Chicken Soup series, Mark said that goals and the potential achievement of our future vision positively affects the biochemistry of our bodies, which energizes us. I agree with this premise.
My restlessness came from not fully embracing my vision and letting it fade while I focused on the day-to-day running and growing of a business.
Don’t let that happen to you.
What’s your vision?
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Where you would like to be or do or what would you like to have in the next 3 to 5 years? Make a list of all the items that possibly could apply. Don’t limit this list for now. To achieve the best results with this process, I suggest you set aside some alone time for yourself
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Make sure you identify all the areas of your life: Physical, Mental, Emotional, Spiritual, Relationships, Career, Community, Travel, and other areas you may want to include. Note: All this is covered in more detail in the My Source Experience Journal.
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Now that you have collected your thoughts and written them down, reflect on your list. Now add and take away items from each of the areas, as you see fit.
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Prioritize those items that resonate most with you. Life is always about choices. Though we all would like to do it all, we usually must select the most important ones first.
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Now where required, do some basic investigating on what it would take to fulfill that goal or vision. Example: for the past several years, I have wanted to purchase an Ultra-Light to enjoy with my family. After some recent investigation, I discovered that according to current aviation rules, you cannot take a passenger with you unless you are an instructor or a fully licensed pilot. The whole purpose of this desire was to share the experience with others and my family, not just myself; therefore until the regulations are changed, I have removed owning an Ultra-Light from my list. It was there for years. Investigation brings clarity.
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Once you have completed your primary investigation, start creating an action plan and deadlines for each of your objectives. If you break the plan down to the simplest of steps; the likelihood of your achieving the task will be much higher. If you want to become an Olympic athlete, you focus on winning the medal and on the training it takes to get there, one day at a time. But if you only focus on the 4 years of 6 days a week, 8 hours a day, of practice that is required to achieve this goal, it might be more of a burden than a goal that excites you.
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Give yourself the freedom to update and revise your list at any time. After all, this vision is to serve your purpose. If your vision, direction, and actions are not doing this, then change them.
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Don’t make your future a burden. Have fun and enjoy the process.
If I called you right now, could you clearly articulate your vision for the next few years? If not, why not?
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Until next time, keep Living On Purpose!
Ken Keis
For information on CRG Resources, please visit http://crgleader.com.
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