Get Focused, Get Energized, Get Great Results!
Unleash the Power of Vision in Your Work and Your Life
Book by Ken Blanchard and Jesse Stoner
Book notes.
Same illustration as told by Bodo Shafer of having a full bucket by filling it with big rocks first, then pebbles, then sand, and then water. What are the big rocks in your life? If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all.
What makes a vision compelling - something that people really want to be part of and that provides direction.
What "full steam ahead" really means? Being fully powered, knowing where you're going, and moving ahead full force. Being so clear about your purpose, so committed to it, and so sure about your ability to accomplish it that you move ahead decisively despite any obstacles.
Purpose. What business do you think we are really in? A good statement of purpose that really held meaning for the people in the company could have a lot of power.
PURPOSE
- Purpose is your organization's reason for existence.
- It answers the question "Why?" rather than just explaining what you do.
- It clarifies - from your customers' viewpoint what business you are really in.
- Great organizations have a deep and noble sense of purpose - a significant purpose - that inspires excitement and commitment.
- The words themselves are not as important as their meaning to the people.
An effective mission statement includes clear purpose. It might also include a description of how the people in a company deliver on the purpose, what their products and services are, and how they support the purpose. A mission statement that only describes what they provide or how they provide it, without explaining purpose, is unfocused, unmotivating, and meaningless.
When you hear a good idea, act on it quickly.
Values are deeply help beliefs that certain qualities are desirable. They define what is right or fundamentally important to each of us. They provide guidelines for our choices and actions.
"How will you behave on a day-by-day basis as you fulfill your purpose?"
Purpose tells why. Values tell how.
VALUES
- Values provide broad guidelines on how you should proceed as you pursue your purpose.
- They answer the questions "What do I want to live by?" and "How?"
- They need to be clearly described so you know exactly the behaviors that demonstrate that the value is being lived.
- They need to be consistently acted on, or they are only "good intentions".
- People's personal values need to be in line with the values of the organization.
There is a lot of power in values. Values tap into people's feelings. People cherish their values and are deeply emotional about them. When they act in support of their values, they are proud of their actions.
Values serve as a driving force behind purpose. Values supply the energy and excitement that help people remain committed when the going gets tough. They help ensure emotional commitment.
Shared valued help ensure consistency in how people throughout the organization behave.
It is important to list values in the order of importance.
Vision is about going somewhere. There needs to be a sense of destination or direction. A picture of the end result! A picture of the future is a key element of vision.
The power of picture works when you focus on what you want to create, not what you want to get rid of. We need to be proactive, not reactive.
The power of picture works when you focus on the end result, not the process to achieve it.
PICTURE OF THE FUTURE
- A picture of the end result, something you can actually see, not vague.
- Focus on what you want to create, not what you want to get rid of.
- Focus on the end result, not the process for getting there.
The three key elements of a compelling vision:
- Significant Purpose
- Clear Values
- A Picture of the Future
Without a vision, once a goal has been achieved, it's all over.
VISION DEFINED
- Vision is knowing who you are (purpose), where you're going (future), and what will guide your journey (values).
TESTS OF A COMPELLING VISION
- Helps us understand what business we'er really in
- Provides guidelines that help us make daily decisions
- Provides a picture of the desired future that we can actually see
- Is enduring
- Is about being "great" - not solely about beating the competition
- Is inspiring - not expressed solely in numbers
- Touches the hearts and spirits of everyone
- Helps each person see how he or she can contribute
An honest and accurate assessment of the present is as important as a vision of the future.
Learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present. In other words: Live your vision now.
If you are clear about your vision, and if you are honest about your present realities, you don't have to figure everything out. Things start happening of their own accord.
To find out your values, ask yourlself "What do I care deeply about?" or "What do I stand for?" See what comes up. The more deeply you care, the closer you are to your core values.
Pick one question and answer it:
- Think of and important decision you had to make, and then identify the things you considered as you made it.
- Think of something you're proud of, at work or in your personal relationships.
- Imagine a risky situation. What would make you move forward rather than avoid it?
What do I really value? When I get down to the core, what really matters most to me? What is absolutely essential to who I am? What do I stand for?
There is power in being clear about your vision and honest about the present. When you are able to do both these things, opportunities will seem to appear almost as if by magic.
Vision is a lot more than putting a plaque on the wall. A real vision is lived, not framed.
FOR VISION TO BECOME A REALITY, WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS
- How it's created
- How it's communicated
- How it's lived
The process of creating the vision is as important as what the vision says.
Vision is an ongoing process; you need to keep talking about it.
When a vision is shared, it is important to hold each other accountable for behaving consistently with it. If you ignore the behaviour of others who act inconsistently with the vision, you threaten the trust and commitment of the people who are.
Need to establish supportive structures: the habits, practices, and processes that support your vision.
"We know where we're going. And we've planned the route. But the only thing that is really important is the step you're taking right now. I mean that - literally. The step you are taking right now is the only thing there is. So how you take that step is really important. Are you present? Do you smell this fresh air? Do you hear the birds chirping? Do you feel the pavement under your feet? Are you living your vision right this moment?"
Experience the present moment. Vision isn't really about the future. It's about what you're doing right now.
The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step you are taking right now. It's in the richness of the journey where you find life's beauty.
- Remind people about what's really important.
- Help them stay focused on the vision.
- Remove obstacles whenever possible.
- Encourage them to act.
Leadership is about serving the greater good. There is no room for ego-driven leadership.
Always focus on your vision. If an obstacle throws you off course, set a new course. Be prepared to change your goals, if necessary. Change is bound to happen.
Courage of commitment. True commitment begins when you take action. There will be fears; feel them and move ahead.
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness had genius, power, and magic in it. - Goethe
I just wish people would realise that anything's possible if they try, that dreams are made if people try. - Terry Fox
Last message:
- Moving from success to significance
- When you're ready to do that, it's time to think about giving back to your community
- the vision is about more than just you
- we're all in this world together
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