3/4/09 - Vision

How do you communicate your vision to the world? How do you utilize your vision so that others will want to follow you? These ideas were addressed in class and made me think about how I communicate my vision. This includes the vision for my life and my vision as a leader.

Watching the clip of Jerry McQuire showed the importance of a life mission statement. Everyone has their own mission for their life and their own ideas of how to accomplish it. A life mission can direct you in life and thus, create a vision. The funeral exercise in class demonstrated how what you do in life is important. After you die, what will you be remembered for? What do you WANT to be remembered for? That's where you start your life mission.

Setting those goals for your life is only half the battle. You must then DO it! Goals are only useful if you intend to accomplish them. I have began to think about what I want to be remembered for. I know that I want everyone to remember my passion, love for others, creativity, and drive. I want to live my life acting out those qualities and ideas.

Establishing a vision in your leadership role is the next step. You will never get anyone to follow you if they don't understand why they should. The example of Wal-Mart was used in class. They start every Saturday manager meeting with acknowledging that the customer and employees come first. They will also do everything in their power to cut costs. They have clearly established their vision, and they live it out all the time. They are constantly looking for new ways to save money even if it's only a few dollars here and there. Wal-Mart is a prime example of a company with a living vision.

First, you must create a vision for your life. Then, you must create a vision in your leadership role. After you have established these visions, you can live your life accordingly. Action is so important in seeing results. No one gets anywhere by stating things they believe in; they have to live it. I want to strive to live out the vision for my life and work, so that at my funeral, they will all say exactly what I would expect them to.