Why You Must Verify the Validity of Your Vision
Many people envision a brighter future, some bigger business, others early retirement. Whatever your vision for the future may be, it will require careful planning to make it a reality. Is your vision for your future realistic? Will your vision stand the test of time and all the surprises life will hand you along the way? You will be amazed how many people never stop to think about where their action plans are taking them.
“Stopping to think about where it’s all going will save us from having to stop and think about where it all went” -JSP
I was thinking about the 1990’s the other day and recalled that wild rollercoaster ride that was the “dotcom bubble”. Money from all directions being thrown at up and coming Internet-based companies deluged the stock market like a flash flood from a broken dam descending on a small town. Everyone was caught up in the money-making frenzy.
From longtime venture capitalists to amateur day traders working from their living rooms, the money kept coming in with little forethought toward the foundation and the sustainability of the trend. As confidence was riding high and the chance to cash in loomed large, it seemed few were willing to face the possibility that they were investing in a fad with an uncertain future.
It was early 2000 when, a number of large reputable companies, started selling, investors became uneasy, and the stock market dropped in value by 10% in a few weeks. By 2002 multiplied billions of dollars were gone along with some of the major Dotcom companies, many dreams and visions for the future crashed and burned with many of those companies. Verify and validate the stability of your investments (time and money) because your future dreams depend on it.
“If you have a clear vision, you will eventually attract the right strategy. If you don’t have a clear vision, no strategy will save you.” —Mike Hyatt
John Maxwell says “If your dream depends a lot on luck, then you’re in trouble. If it depends entirely on luck, you’re living in Fantasyland.” Ask yourself where your actions are taking you? If you have a vision for your future how are you going to get there? I’ve included in this article eight questions that I ask myself to keep my dreams rooted in reality.
What is your vision and why must you accomplish it?
Can you articulate your vision clearly enough to inspire others?
Has your experience adequately prepared you for the journey?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Who will need to be on your team?
How does your vision differ from others with the same dream?
What resources will be required to accomplish your vision?
What resources are available to you now?
“The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time” – Abraham Lincoln
Some time ago I developed what I call my dream card, I carry it with me and refer to it often. I always take things one day at a time. I hope these seven points will be some help to you as they still inspire me.
1- Stay Focused on Your Dream – Remove distractions and think intentionally 2- Stay True to Yourself – Never compromise your values 3- Be an Avid Reader – Saturate your mind with the wisdom of others 4- Remain Teachable – You can learn from anyone at anytime 5- Work Harder to Become Valuable to Others – Exceed all expectations with excellence 6- Never Give Up, Never Give In – Manage your emotions 7- Always Give Honor to Whom is Due – You’ll never achieve your dream alone
*** This article was authored by John Picarello, Chief Leadership Officer at Lions PrideLeadership Co.***