Most couples spend more time planning for their wedding
day than for their marriage. Marriages, like our businesses
are long-term commitments that should have a clear vision.
What do I mean by “Vision”? Vision is the ability to see
forth into the future as if it were today. In the case of
entrepreneurs, it is creating a picture of what
your business should look like when it is running perfectly.
Once you have that vision in mind, write it down and
share it with those on your team.
Knowing where you are headed is so vital to
your business success. When you fail to identify
your vision, you can almost guarantee your
imminent failure or at the very least, prolonged
timeframe for getting there. Take your family
summer vacation plans as an example. After an
initial family meeting, the parents define what
destinations the family would like to visit and
then outlay the most efficient route in order to
maximize their time. When this final vision is
shared with the family, everyone can be given
their assignments as to hotel reservations, what
to pack, which family and friends along the
route to contact, to plan times to stop, and visit
as well as the purchase of venue tickets. A
successful trip will be accomplished when the
whole family is aware of the vision and has
bought into it. With everybody onboard, you
will ensure the greatest enjoyment for all involved.
In the book of Habakkuk, Habakkuk is seeking
an answer regarding His justice, when will
things get better? God provides him an answer
by telling him to “…Record the vision and
inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it
may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed
time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not
fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will
certainly come and will not delay.” Habakkuk
2:2-3
God is telling us to write down our vision and
make it clear enough for those who read it to
understand it and can run with it. He goes on to
say that we must be patient with the fulfillment
of this vision, for it will come to pass at the
right time. This last part is probably the toughest
for any entrepreneur. We have birthed this
vision and immediately want to see it come to
pass so we may enjoy the fruits of our labor.
A well drafted vision will empower the business
leader to communicate what he foresees to
his team. A clear vision communicates to everyone
where the business is headed. When
those that surround the business leader understand
the vision and are sold out for it, they will
do everything they can to help achieve that
dream. With that kind of help, how can you go
wrong?
Invest the time to get a clear vision and then
draft it so everyone you are working with gains
a clear understanding of where the business is
headed. The vision can also be used as a hiring
tool; it can help you identify those who are
attracted by it or those simply looking for a
paycheck.
In addition to helping those around you, the
vision is also a reminder to yourself of where
you are headed and that all your hard work will
soon pay off. Without this reminder, you are
more susceptible to being blown completely off
course and failing to reach your dream.
Where are you headed? Does it lead towards YOUR Vision?
