Posted by The Overwhelming Power of Vision
“It’s always empowering preparing for the future when you’re helping to create it!” -JSP
Vision is something that we imagine, something in the future we see, not with our eyes, but with our mind. This ability allows us to think and plan our future by intentionally applying wisdom, knowledge, and a well thought out action plan to our imagination.
All leaders are visionaries to some degree, they utilize their imagination, to envision a better future. They’ll pursue their vision until it begins to recreate their current reality. It will eventually reprioritize their daily agenda. Everyone has a vision, yet many will not see it materialize. Those who do, have allowed themselves to come under the influence of the thing they’ve been dreaming about. I’ve often said that “The odds for success shift heavily in your favor when your vision owns you.”
Vision Directs and Empowers All You Do
Joanne Rowling (J.K. Rowling), author of the Harry Potter series, had a vision of a time to come when, Harry Potter would be a household name among children everywhere. Her vision was the driving force behind her overcoming the rejection of a dozen publishers, and more than her share of negative thinkers. At times, her struggles were so great she even began to question herself.
It’s said she was told by her agent that writing books for children wasn’t in her future. She allowed her vision to change her thinking, drive her decisions, and reprioritize her daily agenda. Her vision brought her international recognition, global sales of nearly 500 million books, and financial security. Her story illustrates the overwhelming power of vision!
“Are you a meaningful specific or a wandering generality?” – Zig Ziglar
Vision is meaningful and specific
We all have an innate desire to have our life count for something. Having a specific vision gives us a life with purpose. Without vision, our life will lose a sense of meaning. A compelling vision fuels motivates and drives our quest for a meaningful existence that leaves an inspiring legacy.
If your vision isn’t meaningful to you, or doesn’t translate to a well thought out action plan, then what you have is a daydream. Joanne Rowling’s vision wasn’t vague, it was specific and meaningful. Her vision was so compelling it altered her perception of the future. It added such value and purpose to her life, it empowered her to bypass and overcome all opposition to the future she was already living in! She lived for the reality that others couldn’t see. Her vision was specific enough to set her daily agenda by, and successfully guide her through the myriad of decisions she would have to make on her rendezvous with destiny. She became one with her vision.
“I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific.” – Lily Tomlin
Your Vision Defines You
Your vision comes from your life’s purpose, and requires the use of your natural gifts. You’ll always be most passionate about things connected to the use of your gifts. Children naturally gravitate toward those things they love to do (passion), they’re using what comes natural to them (giftedness). As children we’ve all dreamed about what we wanted to be when we grew up – that’s vision. To find your life’s purpose, identify your natural gifts and talents, there you’ll discover your passion and develop a compelling vision.
“To achieve something you have never achieved before, you must become someone you have never been.” – Les Brown
Your Vision Will Change You
Like Joanne Rowling’s vision, yours will come with a price tag, and will challenge your commitment to paying it. It will require self-discipline, focused thinking, self-awareness, and the help of others. Vision will force you to build on your strengths and address weaknesses. It will test and strengthen your willingness to change. Vision empowers you to overcome fears and break self-limiting beliefs. In the end, the person you become will always far exceed the price you pay. -JSP
“The dreams and passions stored within hearts are powerful keys which can unlock a wealth of potential.” – John C. Maxwell
* Image from http://inspiredondemand.com/vision/