Five Steps to Help you Create a Vision

Sunset in Beijing

If you don’t have a vision for your life or your business, begin to do these things to help you create and cast a vision. Vision doesn’t come from the outside in. It comes from the inside out. Vision is a stem of what is important to you.

1. Meditate. Think about the values that are important to you. What values do you want to be known for? If you know how to worry, you know how to meditate. Think of such things that are pure, lovely, or that make you happy, that are different than others, of good report, that inspire you and others. How can you be of service to others?

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.-Philippians 4:8

Allow all thoughts to come first. Don’t hold back. But then start to cast off the things that are too out there.

The empires of the future are empires of the mind-Winston Churchill.

2. Write those core values that keep resurfacing, that keep coming to the top of your mind. Let the Holy Spirit draw out the gold in the depth of your heart. These are the values that are truly important to you. Reflective Questions: Ask yourself the following foundational questions for your business or even for your life; to have better insight in writing your vision statement. This can be during your meditative stage or your dialogue point.

• What is your organization’s purpose? Why are you here?

• What are your core values? Remember no more than 3 core values. Others can stem from these, but there should be no more than 3 core values.

• Why are your products/services important? Why do people need them? Want them?

• As a company, how do you want to make a difference in the world? Why do you matter?

• What is our vision for our company culture?

• What impact do we want our company to have on the world?

• ( https://leadershipstack.com/blog/how-to-write-vision-statement/ )

3. Dialogue with close friends, family, mentors, and advisors about the direction of these core concepts. Don’t surround yourself or talk with “yes-men” who will go along with whatever you say. Make sure you are meeting and dialoguing with true Godly mentors who will share with you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear. These people can and should influence your vision. Eventually, you will want to talk with stakeholders, investors, and other top-tier leaders; so dialoging with these close mentors first will prepare you for speaking with these important investors.

The other thing dialoguing does is when you begin to speak it out loud. When you hear yourself say it, it will become more real to you. Your life flows from the belief you have in your heart and that belief will blossom when you speak it out.

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.-Proverbs 4:3

“You have to be able to articulate your priorities very effectively... over and over and over again.” -Bob Iger, Disney CEO

4. Focus. Narrow down your values and concepts to three core, or pillar values that will build your company vision. Any more than three and your vision becomes saggy and bloated or it will go into too many directions. Focus, will keep your vision clear and uninhibited.

5. Act. You won’t know your true self until you are forced or force yourself to act on your principles or your vision. What will or do you truly believe in? If you won’t act on it then do you truly have a vision for it? Do you truly believe in it?

“Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.”
― Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson writing the Declaration of Independence

Helen Keller was both death and blind. She could have been a victim but she worked tirelessly to make something of herself. She achieved her BA degree and went on to author 12 books, and worked for the American Foundation for the blind. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Legion of Honor award. Though she was blind and death, she had great vision.

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision”-Helen Keller.

Three Steps to Creating Vision for the New Year.

Plane flying into sun.

“All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible.” -T. E. Lawrence

Seven Pillars of Wisdom

A great leader uses many tools on their tool belt, such as the carpenter or skilled worker. Establishing a new mindset is instrumental to developing one of the most excellent tools on the tool belt of a great leader: vision.

What is Vision?

Vision in the natural is seeing "what is ."To see "what is" is to have a firm grasp or understanding of the facts and the situation you find yourself in. Some people call that being a "realist ."Arranging, building, and putting your life in motion based on the facts and figures you see before you is part of your vision. However, only some have the capability to do this. Don't stop there, for there is a more substantial aspect of vision.

It's not what you look at that matters; it's what you see- Henery David Thoreau.

Another way to understand vision is "what can be, not what is ."What do you see ahead of you, not what's there? What's the potential? What revelation do you have that others do not have? As a Christian, stop and talk to the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit for fresh vision.

The absence of things does not cause dissatisfaction and discouragement but the absence of vision. "Yahweh answered me, "Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he who runs may read it."-Habakkuk 2:2

How to Generate Vision?

I have three keys to generate vision. Curiosity. Disrupting. Acquire Wisdom.

Key 1: Curiosity is one of the pillars of vision. Growing, learning, and keeping your competitive edge are very important. Keep looking over the horizon and not just at what business leaders or peers are doing now. Put yourself in a position to learn. Don't ask questions about your current position; ask questions about where you want to be next.

Don't confine yourself to today's norms; position your mind for the future.

"that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, Ephesians 1: 17-18

Allow yourself to be creative and to think outside the box. What is the trending technology, and how can it benefit you? What practices are on the cutting edge? What's popular now in one aspect of life may be prevalent in another element in the near future. VR is popular right now with gamers. But how can it be applied to farming, logistics, infrastructure, and industry? Be the person who starts bridging those thoughts now.

Key 2: Disrupting. Another way to generate vision is to not go with the flow. In other words, be a disrupter. "…disrupt a category that already exists... there's an opportunity because the large companies feel as if they're entitled to it." -Howard Schultz, founder of Starbucks.

Disrupting a category means being inventive to market your "unique take on an established product or service ( Schultz )" differently than anyone else. A  disrupter doesn't just work within the confines of the established flow or narrative but branches off.

Michelangelo can look at a block of Marble and see the statue of David.

Leonardo da Vinci can look at a canvas and see the Mona Lisa.

Qi Bai Shi can look at a parchment and see a beautiful traditional Chinese ink painting.

William Shakespeare looked at an empty stage but envisioned "Macbeth."

Disrupting is working within the system but being a new voice or idea in that system. This is more effective than being a pioneer. Pioneering is creating a whole new product or service. This is much harder to do and is much more risky. But it can be done if you have the vision and strength to carry it out, do it! Regardless, learn to see ahead of the horizon and be ready to do something new that isn't being done now. Be bold and take on the establishment in their high castle; it can lead to fruitful success.

Key 3: Aquire Wisdom. Wisdom of others, whether they succeeded or failed. Learn what they did right and what they did wrong. What surprised them? What should you be prepared for? If you can understand the past, you will be ready for the future.

Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom. And in all you getting, get understanding.- Proverbs 4:7 NKJV

Many people need to be more quick to erase history rather than learn from it. There is a disturbing pop up trend happening; certain people want to tear down statues of people who they disagree with. They want to erase history or rewrite it rather than learn from it. Aquire the wisdom of the ages to see the future.

Create your vision. If you don't create a vision for yourself, others will be happy to tell you what your vision should be. Control your destiny. Only let people you trust who are Godly and have sound judgment influence your vision. Don't let any old regular person affect your vision. Be true to yourself. Protect that spark in you.

Others will be happy to let that spark die in you; you must protect that vision. Without vision, people perish. Lack of vision leads to death. "Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction.- Proverbs 29:18 NIV

What is your Personal Vision?

Family. The world is ready and willing to tell you what your vision for your family ought to be. Ignore the corrupt, but let God give you a vision for your family.

Work. The majority of our week is consumed with our work. Get a vision for your position, and don't wait for the boss to tell you what you ought to do.

Finances. The great Dave Ramsey is full of advice on meeting and orchestrating your financial goals so that your money works for you and not vice versa. If you need coaching in your finances, be sure to check in with Pastor Kim to see how she can help coach you in your finances.

Health. The world is ready to share what is or isn't healthy. But you have to follow what is beneficial for you. Your doctor must do it if you don't take charge of your health.

If you don't have a vision for your life or your business yet, begin to do these things to help you create and cast a vision. Vision doesn't come from the outside in. It comes from the inside out.

Transformational Leadership: The Give Step

A True mark of great leadership is to not be served but to serve others.

A true mark of outstanding leadership is not to be served but to serve others. Build up your family, team, friends, and enemies; in turn, you will be built up. The leaders who are loved and are remembered with honor inspire others to do great things.

Steve Jobs said, “My job is to not be easy on others but to make them better.”

Great leadership doesn’t promote yourself. Great leadership promotes others. It’s not enough for the butterfly to change from the caterpillar to the butterfly. No, that’s just the step to prepare it to start changing the world. It starts pollinating plants, bringing life, beauty, and oxygen to the world. People, employees, and even coworkers will strive harder to work for servant leaders. They will have a joy in their work. They will have passion. They will naturally give their all. Others may search for what and how much they can take. They may search for how they can force others to do their work.

A genuine leader searches for what he can give; he can contribute. They inspire and encourage others.

Relationships, not bossing others, are the keys to breakthrough. I remember working in a retail job once, and I had a manager who demonstrated many of the characteristics I’m sharing with you. He was thoughtful and relatable and treated his employees like people. The store manager, however, treated us like subjects and talked to us like he was reading off of a business script. Guess what? Of the two managers, the assistant manager and the store manager, we were happy and worked harder for the first manager rather than the store manager.

How can you empower your people?

I have a few closing characteristics that a servant leader must exhibit. These seem paradoxical to the normal view of a strong leader. But they couldn’t be more accurate.

1. Be moldable and teachable. When you are open to learning something, even after you “know everything,” you can begin to grow and change the world.

   Be willing to admit when you are wrong. Then, change from your wrongdoing. People aren’t stupid; the last thing they want is a leader who is acting in the wrong and won’t admit it or change course. The problem with idolizing people is that people will always let you down.

   Be gentle. Firm gentleness will yield greater fruit than being a bully and harsh on others. There may be a time for firmness and showing who the boss is, but that can still be done through gentleness.  How you walk with the broken speaks more of you than how you sit with the great.

   Be hungry for worth, not finances. People seeking finances may find them, but will it bring them happiness when their character is destroyed, their family is destroyed, and their friends leave them?

   Be merciful. If you sow the seeds of mercy into others, you will be shown mercy when you make a mistake. Don’t take revenge on your enemy. Show them mercy, and you will gain another friend. Someone asked me why I should be nice. Must you have a reason?

   Be pure in heart. Be real with people, and don’t put on a mask. Don’t put on a false face. Don’t be fake. Be trustworthy. Be honest. Be real with people.

   Be a peacemaker. Peacemakers don’t lord. They are not selfish. They extend a hand of generosity, the hand of compassion. They are willing to sit down and talk about our differences.

   -One of the biggest problems today is dividing ourselves into groups. I won’t take to him because he________. She’s in this group, so I can’t associate with her. Communicate. Be a person who brings unity and peace. Genuine and longer-lasting transformation is only possible through servant leadership.

Transformational Leadership: The Push Step

It would help if you discovered your priorities. What is important to you? What do you want people to remember you for or as? If you want to know your priorities, look at what you spent your money on, not what you budgeted for, but what you spent money on. If you want to know your priorities, look at what you spend your time on. Not what the calendar says but what you actually spend time on. If you dislike those things, it's time to change them.

Then, translate those to manageable and consistent behaviors.

Discover and then practice the priorities you want to be in your life. Cast your vision and then break it down into goals and steps. Make sure your goals are SMART. These goals should be "specific," "measurable," "attainable," "realistic," and "time-bound". When you can make SMART goals and form consistent behavior that demonstrates your priorities, you will grow, and your team or business will, too. Let's look at the leadership giant John Maxwell and what he has to share.

Failed plans should not be interpreted as a failed vision. Visions don't change, they are only refined. Plans rarely stay the same and are scrapped or adjusted as needed. Be stubborn about the vision, but flexible with your plan.”

– John C. Maxwell

Here’s a key. Marry your vision, not the process. Process changes but your vision should not. Be committed to your vision but be willing to alter your goals and process. No matter the goals or the process, consistency or perseverance is the master key. It all hinges on your ability and your iron will to persevere through the hard times, to keep going even after being knocked down 10 times. Real leaders rise an 11th time. Churchill also said, “If you're going through hell keep going.” In other words when times are tough and you feel like giving up don’t stop keep fighting. Leaders work harder than anyone around them.

Perseverance is the bedrock of leadership.

The fruit of perseverance? Your handwork will bring you before kings. The Wisdom of Solomon tells us that a man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men. Perseverance and hard work will create more opportunities for you than anything else. Opportunities come to those who press toward the 'high calling.'

Philippians 3:14 KJV 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Going to the gym once a month will not make you look like Dwayne Johson. Notice I said press. It's like the weight lifter in the gym. Going to the gym and watching people work out won't do me good. I might say, good, I made the effort, I came to the gym, I bought the workout clothing, I paid the dues. But I'm not gaining muscle? I'm not losing weight. It's because I'm not pressing. I'm not putting in the effort. I'm not sweating. I'm not pressing on. If you always just lift the bar without any weights on it, you won't gain any muscle. Put the weight on and press to see the transformation. Consistency and perseverance are the keys to growing yourself and leading others. Author CS Lewis said hardships often prepare an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny.

Will you persevere?

“The sea is dangerous and its storms terrible, but these obstacles have never been sufficient reason to remain ashore... Unlike the mediocre, intrepid spirits seek victory over those things that seem impossible... It is with an iron will that they embark on the most daring of all endeavors... to meet the shadowy future without fear and conquer the unknown.”

― Ferdinand Magellan