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The etymology of ‘vision’ is found in the Latin word ‘videre’ meaning: to see. Vision may be further understood as your ability to strategise or practically think about the future of your business with wisdom and imagination. This practical thinking is specific and time sensitive and results orientated. A dream is defined as a series of images or sensations occurring in one’s mind, generally though not exclusively, during slumber. A dream may also mean a cherished ambition, ideal or aspiration.
Are you a dreamer or a visionary?
The above question needs to be asked and answered (as a business and individually) to avoid wasting time, energy and resources. This question forces you to bring clarity and focus to your endeavours. This question encourages us to actively engage in self/business analysis to measure or assess progress. Vision is one of the eight principles in the empowerment mastery system, and we will examine the three rules of vision later in this article.
Indulge me for a moment as we appear to go little off this subject – only to return and demonstrate the clarity of a vision over the vagueness of a dream. USA Budget Accounts for 2018 estimates revenues of $3.6 trillion against estimated expenditures of $4 trillion. Apple is currently valued at $1 trillion. Apple’s market cap is approximately as big as a quarter of US government federal operations. Apple co-founders Steve Wozniak, Ronald Wayne and Steve Jobs, may not have foreseen that their fledgeling computer company would be the global technology giant it is today. However, they clearly had the vision to change and even revolutionise the industry. The evolution of Apple under Steve Jobs was not an accident because it involved the strategic expansion of market share through innovative technology plus savvy marketing. Now let’s look at the RULES OF VISION.
Rule 1: Start at the end.
This may sound a tad contradictory and hence the reason you will apply this concept to continually experience measurable progress in your business. A vision is something you plan to accomplish by a specific time, so at this point, you are planning for the future. The future is the time when you will achieve what you are thinking about right now, so you are effectively working now to benefit in the future. This is why you start at the end, i.e. see the completed vision in your mind then work your way back to what you are currently doing to cultivate said vision.
Rule 2: Assemble the best team
No one in this planet is ‘self-made’. I would go even further to add that the term is utterly ridiculous. As social beings, we thrive on interaction. Our bodies function best through the interdependence of all organs and their primary functions. A business grows by understanding the unique value that each person adds to the overall objective and accrual of profits. Working with the right people is a useful way to realise your vision.
Rule 3: Take daily steps.
This is about your vision. It is, therefore, unreasonable to expect anyone else to feel exactly how you feel about it. The acceptance of ownership on a personal level will propel you towards doing something each day in the furtherance of your vision. You need to be consumed by said vision. You must become the living embodiment of your vision and the best representation of what you intend to bring into reality.
These three rules are reference points that act as a ‘check & balance’ to help you cultivate vision after vision after vision in your business development. There is a science to operating a successful business as there is to living a successful life. Seeing how you can increase your profits, expand your market share and strengthen your brand takes vision. Positive energies to you and your team as you visualise then actualise your ideas.
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About the Author
Malik Muhammad was raised and educated in Jamaica, read law in London and the author of ‘Empower Yourself to Succeed’. He created The Empowerment Mastery System to influence, help and inspire businesses to cultivate their visions in a specific time frame. Malik enjoys vegan cooking and quad biking. He is an after-dinner speaker, event host and convenes empowerment seminars internationally.
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