And why it’s important for your life

If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you are someone with a desire to leave your mark on the world and make a difference in the lives of others. The challenge is at the core of every successful leader is a vision, an aspirational dream that guides their actions and inspires others to join them in their pursuit. Without it, and without the ability to inspire others a vision will remain a dream.

Because a vision is more than just a simple dream or ambition. If is to become a powerful tool that helps shape our direction, and purpose, a vision has to paint a clear and compelling picture of what you want to achieve, and what you need to get there. It gives you a sense of direction and helps you stay focused on your goals, even in the face of challenges and obstacles.

Don’t confuse your Vision with your Mission

If you don’t have a plan to put your vision into action, it’s just a dream. But the How to “get there” comes in your mission, which I will discuss in more detail in the next post, and if you conflate the two, you are likely to become disillusioned when things go wrong. Think of your Vision as a future event which you may not live to see.

You may remember what many consider being one of the greatest ever speeches, when Reverend Dr Martin Luther King junior, articulated his dream. One of the most significant moments, was when he stated, “I may not get there with you.” 

The power of a vision is in seeing, which helps you see beyond your present situation. It helps you look past the limitations of today and see the unlimited potential of tomorrow. A vision allows you to stay connected with the bigger picture, to focus on what’s important, and to stay motivated and inspired in the face of setbacks.
Because a Vision has to be bigger and more important than you, it provides you with the courage to take risks and pursue your dreams, even when others, as they surely will, doubt you or put you down.

One of the key reasons outstanding leaders become influential leaders is they both own and articulate a vision which inspires and motivates others. A vision is not just about you, it’s about the people you serve and the impact you want to make.

When you have a clear and compelling vision, you can communicate your passion and purpose to others in a way that inspires them to join you on your journey. You become a source of hope and inspiration for those around you, and your vision becomes a shared goal that brings people together.

Without a vision, you’ll be a Manager. A Manager focuses on the day-to-day operations of a business or organisation, making sure everything runs smoothly and efficiently. While this is an important role, whose importance we should not underestimate, it lacks the long-term impact of a Vision. A Manager maintains what is, while a visionary creates change and makes a lasting impact.

So, if you want to be an outstanding leader and make a real difference in the world, it’s crucial that you have a clear and compelling vision. Your vision should be aspirational, something that inspires you and others to aim for greatness. It should be a big enough goal to challenge you, but achievable enough that you can make progress towards it. Your vision should align with your values and purpose, so that it motivates you to work towards it every day.

Perhaps the most important words uttered that day in Washington when Dr King made his great speech, were not by him, but by gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, a friend of Dr and Mrs King, who When Dr King was about to sit down, called out, “Tell them about your dream, Martin! Tell them about the dream!” 

If you don’t know where to begin, start with your Dream then develop it. Share it with your support network, reflect on it, and share with clients you trust. Remember, it’s a process.

When you own it, your Vision helps you see beyond your present circumstances and focus on what’s important. And, it helps you inspire and motivate others to join you in your journey. So, if you haven’t already, it’s time to get clear on your vision and start pursuing it with all your heart and soul.

In summary, seeing is not just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have for anyone, any business or organisation seeking to make a positive impact in the world. A vision gives you direction, focus, and purpose, and helps you stay motivated and inspired even in the face of setbacks and challenges.