“We all define success differently and we will achieve our own success in ways that align best with who we are and who we are being.
Any recipe for success, then, has to take that into account. The preparation for this recipe starts with strengths, values, vision and purpose (svvp).
Delivering the success that will come from the prep work requires, focus, health and mental toughness, goals and a plan.” ( Read Part 1)
In this installment, part 2, vision and purpose are our future, forward looking guide rails. Because we are passionate and because ideas come to us all the time, vision and purpose are the guides that keep us contained and aligned, for a period of time.
To ground us, mission is what we are doing now. Vision is what we will be and what we will be doing in the future. Vision relates to success for individuals, companies and organizations, equally. Vision anchors what we do now based on where we want to be. A clearly stated practical vision will help your people understand what you see for the future and where you want to go.
For an individual, vision includes things like:
What will you be doing, when?
Who will you be with then?
What will you have that you don’t have now?
A practical path from here to there?
A statement about what will be great written in the present tense!
For an organization, vision includes (M.Hyatt):
Who do you want to work with?
What will you do to attract top talent?
What products and what value do they deliver?
What markets do you serve
What are your results - revenue, profit, staff count etc.?
Purpose comes from your overall effect on the world. You could divine your purpose (a little tougher to do) or you could look at your collective impact on the world to-date and find the thread that links achievements and actions that align with your values. Feedback will also give you insight on how others see your impact and give input into purpose. Take your time with this one as it’s not easy to pull together or get comfortable with in the early days!
As Vision and Purpose crystallize for you, test the things you are doing and the decisions you are making against them. Do your actions and decisions line up with what you’ve created? If not, spend some time deciding if the vision and purpose need to be adjusted or if you need to take a look at your actions and decisions to see how they might have been different if they were aligned?
Just know you’ll be uncomfortable with this process. Stick with the lack of comfort because it means you’re in the learning zone. And that is a place of growth! Good luck!