2. Develop Vision
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“You can achieve anything you want, first you need to know what you want.” - John Deagan
This quote might seem a bit trite, I can honestly say that most business owners need some help getting clear about their vision. I know this because since 1990 I have coached 100’s of business owners and very few had clear, detailed, and compelling visions. I know this is counter-intuitive, but I can prove it.
I often say, “You cannot build what you cannot see.” Goals are a subset of your vision. Depending on your vision - the goals you will need to achieve your vision could vary greatly. Consider these two statements:
- To grow annual revenue to $1,000,000 this year while working four days a week and fishing every second weekend.
- To reach $1,000,000 in revenue this year.
The first one is more descriptive and has meaning, especially if you are a fisherman. Whereas, number two is simply a goal. Both are worthy to pursue but the first one has more meaning, is more descriptive and the payoff is clear. The second one is ambiguous and may have more than one meaning.
When it comes to operating a business we should leave nothing to chance and hold ourselves to a higher standard - the standard that only a vision can deliver.
Have You Experienced Vision Autopilot?
Automatic pilot is something we have all experienced, for example, have you ever jumped in your car and started driving when you suddenly realize that you can’t remember the last few traffic lights? That is an example of being on automatic pilot.
What happened was after you began to drive, you started thinking about something that consumed your conscious attention. The experience of being on autopilot is just as common at work and business - although not a real good habit - but common just the same. Autopilot is great for routine tasks and sports. For example, the goal of athletic training is to build skills and train “muscle memory” and is in a way a form of autopilot.
What differentiates muscle memory training is that the athlete makes a conscious decision to train and develop muscle memory whereas being on “vision autopilot” while planning our business or setting goals is risky because we could easily set goals without the important context of a vision and unknowingly make a big business mistake.
The “Big” Business Mistake
In my experience, business owners are constantly setting goals, it becomes as natural as breathing. It is natural and automatic. Unfortunately, we often do it while we are in automatic pilot mode and setting goals and making major decisions while in automatic pilot mode is the single biggest mistake made by entrepreneurs. Why? Because, vision is about being able to look ahead - to think about or plan the future using your imagination, wisdom, and business experience.
Remember, the achievement of a goal is simply the point in time that terminates your behavior of the intended “end result” a.k.a. vision. The only real question is whether or not you get there by automatic pilot or by conscious choice.
The problem is not that setting a lofty goal but that we often do it without the “context” and motivational juice a vision provides. We loose out on the motivation that spills out of envisioning the joy of (as in my example) “working four days a week and fishing every second weekend”.
Vision Precedes Planning
Taking the time to invest in developing your vision before you begin planning your goals and objectives is one of the the greatest skills I earnestly desire to transfer to each and everyone of my clients.
I can tell you that once you make up your mind to develop your vision, follow it, and experience the process - it will change the way you operate your business.
You will be rewarded with a sense of wholeness, unity, and integrity.
You will be undivided, focused, and in action - always moving toward your vision.
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” - Robert F. Kennedy
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