Begin with a Vision

Vision. Every leader must start with the end in mind. Would you set out across the ocean with aim in site? No! What do you want your life to be about? How would you want your "dash" to be described when looked upon on your tombstone? The answers to these questions help define what you want to ultimately accomplish in life. Vision doesn't define life purpose in terms of money but in terms of life values. For example, rather than pursuing a certain dollar figure salary, a vision might include influencing others to live for a certain cause.

HOW do I live with vision? First, discovery what is important to you or what SHOULD be important to you. Align your life according to those ideals NOW. Second, make a personal resolution to have those ideals be true of you sixty or seventy years from now. Warning: Spend some time researching and reflecting on these ideals. This discovery process shouldn't be done flippantly. Third, create a personal motto or mission statement that outlines these ideals for your life. This motto becomes your purpose behind EVERY little mission you take on in life!

WHY is having vision so important? It clarifies to you WHY you are doing what you are doing. It provides reason or purpose for your life. What should your life live for?

Examine some of the following mission statements:

Nike

To Bring Inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.

Microsoft
At Microsoft, we work to help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential. This is our mission. Everything we do reflects this mission and the values that make it possible

Harley Davidson, Inc

We fulfill dreams through the experience of motorcycling, by providing to motorcyclists and to the general public an expanding line of motorcycles and branded products and services in selected market segments.

Ford Motor Company

We are a global family with a proud heritage passionately committed to providing personal mobility for people around the world.

Dollar General:

Serving Others For Customers A Better Life For Shareholders A Superior Return For Employees Respect and Opportunity

CitiGroup

Our goal for Citigroup is to be the most respected global financial services company. Like any other public company, we're obligated to deliver profits and growth to our shareholders. Of equal importance is to deliver those profits and generate growth responsibly.

Aflac

To combine aggressive strategic marketing with quality products and services at competitive prices to provide the best insurance value for consumers.

Advanced Auto Parts:

It is the Mission of Advance Auto Parts to provide personal vehicle owners and enthusiasts with the vehicle related products and knowledge that fulfill their wants and needs at the right price. Our friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff will help inspire, educate and problem-solve for our customers.

Be Proactive

Are you a product of nature or nurture? Stephen Covey would argue you are a product of choice. I would argue you are a product of all three. Each person has a personality, temperament and developed character. The character is a product of nature (genetics), nurture (surroundings' influence) and your choice of how you interact and respond to various stimuli. In other words, you DO have some control of WHO you will be and how successful you can be. BE PROACTIVE is a principle emphasizing that rather reacting to stimuli we should respond with principles and values in mind.

Identify what you would like to change in your life and BE PROACTIVE. Decide to choose differently. If you don't do things differently day to day, your results will never change. However, if you decide to get different results, it will require you to choose differently when interacting with your surroundings each day.

As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr stated, its always the right time to do what is right. Choose right values, right friends, right decisions, right actions, right words, right attitudes, etc. Don't be a passive victim of your surroundings. Choose to be someone successful! BE PROACTIVE!

Today Counts

Today Counts! In other words, today is full of opportunity. See TODAY as important. Too many people become stuck in a rut and simply spend their time going through the motions. Renew your perspective each morning so you'll treat your day like its your last.

What is so important about your day TODAY?

1. Reality - It COULD be your last. This is a sobering reality but a reality nonetheless. Make your life count by exercising leadership that influences. Live with a legacy in mind.

2. Necessary - Today is important in your progress. How you are developing as a person and leader is dependent upon the day to day decisions. The decisions you make today will strongly impact your progress.

3. Opportunity - Today is filled with opportunity. Many would define some of these moments as "difficulty" but see everything as opportunities for learning, growth and experience. The learning of wisdom is rooted in how we handle our daily stresses, or "opportunities."

4. Sustaining - Today is also a resource. You find your strength and inspiration in what you rely on EACH DAY. Don't leave out this important step in living each day to its fullest!

"It matters NOT how a man dies but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short of time." - Samuel Johnson