Do you know your personal vision?
Your personal vision is what gets you out of bed in the morning.
Your company vision is what gets you in the car.
Your personal vision is so much more important than your company vision. Too many business leaders have forgotten why they are doing what they are doing - in effect it has become just a job.
Answer these questions: What do you want in life? Why are you doing what you do? What did you get into it for? What do you want to achieve? What do you want your work-life balance to be? How many holidays do you want to take each year? If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you’re probably lacking a personal vision.
What is the ultimate value of the business for you? That is what should get you out of bed in the morning.
Why so personal?
When times are tough; when you feel a little off track; when you question why you're working your 60 hour week - these are the times when you look at your personal vision.
Your personal vision is not the sales that you might make. Not the margins that you might improve. Not the number of client meetings that you may have. But it asks: have you taken a step each day, whether large, small or minuscule towards your personal vision? And if you have, then it’s been a good day.
When you read your personal vision it stirs your imagination, it gets your heart pumping, it gets your blood chasing through your veins. It will grab you by the gut and challenge you about what you do each day.
Dream big
Your personal vision goals have to be achievable, but I'd encourage you to dream big - that's what makes the difference. Because if they are not big, will you really ever be fuelled for the journey?
Business leaders say to me: Can I really do a three-day week? Will I really be able to devote some time to charitable causes? Is that really attainable? My answer is: everything's attainable.
Many people think they can't achieve a personal vision, hence they don't have one. Others don't think it's important. Some are driven by the results in the business which realises a certain standard of living for them but I would challenge them: are you truly fulfilled?
Why do you do what you do? Is it time you asked the question? Is it time you had a personal vision?