Intentional Leadership – Day 4 (M1, W2) Vision

As is key in improving your effectiveness with most any endeavor, reflection on this journey is critical. Today, take the time to reflect on your vision.

Write it down.

Paint a vivid picture of your dream.

Then, as a communications expert once explained to me, it’s time to “reduce the sauce.” He was referring to the process in cooking when you’ve put all the ingredients into the pot, mixed them together, and have to keep cooking until it has condensed, and reduced…as you know, you end up with something more concentrated than what you began with.

So, reduce the sauce. Keep rewriting your vision until you can state it concisely and clearly in just a few sentences; no more than one short paragraph. When you reach that point, see if you can condense it down to one sentence.

Paul Martinelli, President of the John Maxwell Team, often says, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”

Give yourself the time to do this. Be patient with yourself. Try the words on for size. Let them roll around on your tongue to ensure they are your words and you are comfortable speaking them. Authenticity is important. Notice how your body feels as you say the words and declare your intentions. Trust your intuition when it says, “That’s just right; you can stop now!”

When you are finished it should be obvious who you are and what you stand for.

I spent years working on this one; refining it time and time, again. And it’s changed over the years, as I’ve learned more and reflected on my experiences. That’s the beauty of the journey.

I can’t wait to hear your vision statement…I hope you will share it with us here.

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Intentional Leadership – Day 3 (M1, W1) Vision

Today’s focus is on external support. As you are reviewing your personal vision, today’s exercise is to really consider what you need to do to fine-tune it. To move forward, the book suggests blocking out time to work with a trusted friend or co-worker to explore these areas:

  • Are you clear on your destination?
  • What can you do – each day – to move yourself closer to your goal?
  • What are you learning from your mistakes?

As you work through these questions, you will inevitably face additional questions and challenges.

For example:

  • What am I willing to invest to reach my vision?
  • What am I willing to sacrifice?
  • How will others benefit from my experience during this journey – both the things that go smoothly and the things that don’t?
  • What is my level of satisfaction with my progress?
  • What do I need to do to improve or accelerate my progress?

It’s interesting to me, that these are the kinds of questions that pop up when I am coaching. They are the kinds of questions that make one stop and really think about what they want, what they are doing to achieve their goals, what they are learning along the way, what kinds of challenges they are facing – and whether those challenges are external or self-imposed, and so much more.

But, again, this is about your personal vision, not your business vision, so keep that in mind as you work through this exercise.

What are you working to fine-tune?

Whom do you trust enough to engage in such a vulnerable conversation?

Remember, if you’re uncomfortable with this, it’s a good thing. It means you are growing, stretching, moving out of your comfort zone into something new.

Remember, if you’re uncomfortable with this, it’s a good thing. It means you are growing, stretching, moving out of your comfort zone into something new. Embrace it. Track your journey in a journal; this works because it allows you to later look back on your journey and see your progress and also to help you realize that while it may sometimes feel like you’re not moving quickly enough, you are actually making progress.

 

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Intentional Leadership – Day 2 (month 1, week 1) – Vision

What is true about you?

When you dream and have a vision for your life, you begin to set the journey apart from what others are doing.

Do you want to do, be, or have more in your life? I think many people do want more. Based on experience and observation, however, many of them never take action toward realizing that longing. It takes time, commit, energy, and hard work. 

In the beginning, you may not have a full, crystal-clear picture of what success will look like. You may not even see more than the first couple of steps on your journey, leading in the right direction.

Know this: Each step you take towards achieving your dream brings you one step closer to becoming a fuller, more satisfied, better version of yourself. Each step will bring your vision into clearer focus, more steps will appear, and the resources you need will become available to you.

This personal journey is critical; if you cannot lead yourself, how can you lead others? If you cannot define your personal vision – for who you are and what you will be – how will you create a compelling vision that will draw others who would follow you?

With this in mind, I am refocusing from my thoughts of yesterday. Today is about my personal vision for me – not creating and growing a business.

Remember, a vision is what you will do, be, or have when you have “arrived.” It’s a future state, not a representation of who you are today. State it in the “present” tense as you develop your vision – it will fuel your belief in your ability to achieve it.

So, here is mine:

Do. Be. Have. I am intentionally pursuing my personal growth plan, understanding it is a lifelong journey, and I learn something new every day. I am a person of value who values others and does whatever I can to add value to others. I am enjoying the fulfillment and satisfaction that comes with recognizing and living my purpose.

This is a different statement than the one I would make about the vision I have for my business.

Today’s exercise:

  • What is your personal – not business – vision?
  • How does your vision affect those closest to you? Is it enriching or destructive?
  • How is your personal vision embodied in your work?
  • Does your work nurture and feed your personal vision, or is it drawing you away from where you need to be?

I trust if you are reading this, you are serious about growth and serving others. Take your time in responding to the questions. The key is to do a quality job here; rushing through this will not serve you well.

I’m thrilled you are coming on this journey with me. I’ll “see” you tomorrow!

 

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