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You Can Seize Only What You Can See

A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position – John Maxwell

The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious – John Sculley

Vision is everything for a leader. It is utterly indispensible. WHY? Because vision leads the leader! It paints the target. It sparks and fuels the fire within and draws you forward into a preferred future. Show me a leader without a vision, and I’ll show you someone who isn’t going anywhere. At best he is traveling in circles.

To get a handle on vision and how it comes to be a part of a good leader’s life, take to understand the following thoughts:

Vision Starts Within

Understand that you cannot buy, beg, or borrow vision! It has to come from the inside. If you lack vision, look inside of yourself. Look to your calling! If you still are struggling for vision, find another leader whose vision resonates with you. Become his partner.

Vision Draws On Your History

Vision is not some magical mystical quality that comes out of a vacuum. It grows from the leaders past and the history of the people around him. Talk to any leader and you are likely to discover key events in their past that were instrumental in the creation of their vision.

Vision Meets Other’s Needs

True vision is far reaching. It goes beyond what one individual can accomplish. If it has real value, it does more than just include other, it adds value to others. If you have a vision that doesn’t serve others, it is probably too small.

Vision Helps You Gather Resources

One of the most valuable benefits of vision is that it acts like a magnet – attracting, challenging, and uniting people. It also rallies finances and other resources. The greater the vision, the more winners it has the potential of attracting. The more challenging the vision, the harder the participants fight to achieve it. Edwin Land, founder of Polaroid stated, “The first thing you do is teach the person to feel the vision is very important and nearly impossible. That draws out the drive in winners!”

Where does vision come from? TO find the vision that is indispensible to leadership, you have to be a good listener.

The Inner Voice – listen to your own life mission statement and calling. What do you dream about?

The Unhappy Voice – Pay attention to what does not work. Discontent with the status quo is a great catalyst for vision.

The Successful Voice – Nobody can accomplish greatness alone. To fulfill a big vision, you need a great team.

The Higher Voice – a truly valuable vision must have God in it. He is the only one that knows your full capabilities. Look beyond yourself and your life-time to understand your fullest potential.

To improve on your vision that you feel compelled to pursue considering these closing thoughts:

Measure Yourself – If you feel that a grand vision is moving you forward, measure how well you are doing and carrying it out.

Write It Down – if you have thought about your vision but have never put it into writing, take time to do that today. Writing clarifies your thinking. Once you have it on paper ask yourself if this vision is worthy of your life’s best.

Do A Gut Check – If you have not done much thinking about your vision consider the following questions over the next few weeks:

What makes me cry?

What makes me dream?

What gives me energy?

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Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!