Vision is everything. In the absence of a clear vision for yourself or your company you're just drifting. Many of us have 'hopes' and get frustrated at periods of reflection when we don't seem to be realising them. Tap into the power of vision and not only will you see more of your hopes become reality, but you'll enjoy the journey a lot more too!
There are always going to be tensions on your two most precious resources, your time and your money. John Maxwell is quoted as saying "A persion with vision knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up". A vision is like a destination. It's a place at which you'll arrive following a period of time and application if you take the steps necessary to get there. In the absence of vision there will be lots of demands on your life (specifically your time and your money). These can include your work, your family, your friends, your community, your church, your sports club. If you're like me you'll want to do all of it!
In the absence of a clear vision every decision needs to be evaluated in isolation and you may process these choices through filters of guilt, obligation, perhaps unrealistic aspiration and often from the perspective of "if I don't do this, who will?". If your vision is clear you'll be able to hold up every decision against it and say "Will this help me to get there?"...if it won't help you get there your choice is easier and vice versa.
We're not designed to do everything. You are unique and from a corporate point of view your organisation, big or small, should be unique too. One of my favourite quotes is from Steve Jobs. I encourage you to dwell on this quote and think about how you've been making your choices.
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other people's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." Steve Jobs
If you'd like to exchange ideas with me or if you think I might be able to help you discover your vision, please contact me at kprudge@gmail.com