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.