Vision is the reason entrepreneurs exist; they have a vision for a product or service, for making a difference, or for a company all their own.
Are you an entrepreneur with a vision? When you close your eyes and think about your dream for your business, you have the foundation for your vision “statement.” Capture that picture and that feeling. Concentrate on the future and what your company can be at its fullest and best.
A lot business literature refers to a Vision Statement. There’s a lot of confusion about how to write a Vision Statement and how it’s different from a Mission Statement and where they are posted or how they are used. I’m going to say something very different from what most of the gurus say:
Make your Vision Statement….VISUAL
“They” say a picture is worth a thousand words. So for those of us who have a hard time coming up with the right words, a visual representation of your dream business speaks volumes. This could be a rendering of a building, a map, a photo, a dream board, a sketch or even a tinfoil sculpture…whatever is meaningful to you in translating the thoughts in your head to a visual representation. Not all of us are great with words, so for those of us that like pictures, this is permission to do something new and great!
USING VISION FOR STRATEGIC GROWTH
A visual representation of your goal is psychologically meaningful when it comes to focus and motivation. When you create a visual, it becomes more real and accessible to you. Keeping the greater goal “top-of-mind” is a way to overcome the craze of day-to-day operations and to break out of mundane habits. Small business owners tend to start with a great vision and at some point find themselves just struggling to finish a day with all its challenges and then do their bookkeeping at night, only to get up and do it all again. The problem with that is there’s no time for planning strategic growth so you get stuck. If you keep your Vision physically visible, it’s a constant reminder to think at a higher level.
It is critical for your employees to understand your vision, which is a good reason to publish it internally. If your employees understand and buy in to your mission, they are an excellent source of ideas and energy pushing toward the destination. On the other hand, if they have no idea where you want to go, they can’t possibly help you get there or be inspired because they are part of something bigger than just their paycheck. Don’t get me wrong, most employees are in it for the paycheck! But it’s a simple proven fact that when employees feel inspired they perform better, and of course that’s what you want!
Another consideration is your customer. In today’s graphic-focused world, a visual Vision “Statement” is very trendy! Articulating your vision in an easily understood medium will make it easy for your customers to (literally!) buy-in and support the greater goal.
If you’re stuck, give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to help you get started. I’m including a picture of my personal Vision Board. It might not mean much to anyone else, but when I look at it, I remember why I’m doing what I’m doing and I get a major boost of energy. You’ll see I also have a space for a couple of things I’m going to add in the near future. Exciting stuff!
