It may sound cheesy, but every leader needs a vision. Not eyesight or x-ray vision, but a vision: a goal that resonates with your heart. Some people struggling with setting a vision, seeing it as too weird or impractical, but even the most logical person needs a goal that appeals to more than just the mind, particularly if it is going to be a long and difficult process.
A vision is a certain something that compels your emotions and makes you really want to achieve it, with more than just your mind. It fires that relentless passion and makes you willing to do just about anything to achieve it, giving you the drive you need to succeed in the long haul.
A vision is necessary because it allows you to be a better leader. With a vision, you can transmit your passion and enthusiasm to the rest of your team, and you and those around you can be inspired to have the best-ever year (or month, or even week). You don’t necessarily have to think of it as some magical process where you envision something and it comes true. Instead, you have to have a vision so you know what you can put concrete action towards, while still appealing to your heart. It’s a good balance between your mind and heart.
Don’t curb the vision if you think it’s overly ambitious. A vision shouldn’t be something inside your comfort zone that you know you can do, or else it’s just any other goal. It should be something that scares you a little bit, forces you to stretch your boundaries a little bit, and pays off somehow. Even if it’s too big for you, you have the help of others, as you are a leader!
Work towards your goal as much as you can. Try to set a day aside to come up with the vision, covering all aspects of what you would like in your life (or in this particular aspect of your life), and then create a vision board depicting your vision. It can include drawings, pictures you print out or cut from newspapers and magazines, photos, the written word (including powerful quotes or poetry) or any other form of media you would like to incorporate. Also, take time on a regular basis to review your vision, rediscover your passion for it, and figure out what concrete steps you can take to come closer to it.
Once you achieve your vision, allow yourself time to celebrate, but don’t let it grow stale. Capitalize on the boost of emotions you got from your great achievement and find another vision. There is always something you can improve upon, another vision you can put into place! At the very least, try to maintain your vision.
There is a reason great leaders are known for having visions: it inspires them, motivates them to do their best every day, and keeps them constantly moving and taking action to achieve their dreams. Goals motivate the mind, but visions motivate the heart.