Goals are Useless ...
It’s Vision, You See

By B e v v Beirl

Whoa!!!! Did a business coach actually say goals are useless? Let’s complete the thought. Goals are useless if there’s no vision. It seems that somewhere along the way emphases have been on setting goals. We’re told we must have short-term, mid-term and long-term goals. We’re told that the goals must be specific and measurable with a time frame attached. All of that is great advice; however, what is a goal without a vision?

What is a goal? It's merely a stepping-stone to move us forward in our life. We put several stepping-stones together to forge the path to our ultimate dream or vision. Maybe the reason goals are use(d)less is because the dream or vision to which we are aspiring is vague or unclear.

Do you have a clear vision of what you want and where you want to be in your business, career, physical location and even relationships?

You see, (no pun intended) ---- the first thing we must do is create our VISION. Once we have a clear vision of where we want to be 5,10, or 15 years from now, we can work backwards and set the goals in place that will deliver us to our vision.

In the 16th century, astronomer Nicolai Copernicus fostered the vision of a multiplicity of worlds and a wider universe. About 100 years later Copernicus’s vision became not only accepted, but reality.

John F. Kennedy’s vision delivered in a speech in l961 lead NASA into outer space. Even though the critics were many and harsh, Neil Armstrong planted the American flag on the moon on July 20, 1969, nearly a decade after Kennedy verbalized his vision.

Be advised that as you begin your visioning process there are some vision killers. These killers are only as strong as your vision is weak. Every successful person has been challenged by these pesky gremlins and learned how to mute them.
So pull out your sword and shield and prepare to encounter:

Traditions
Fear of ridicule
Stereotypes of people, conditions, roles and governing councils
Complacency
Fatigued leaders
Short-term thinking
“Naysayers”

“I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On August 28, l963 Dr. King verbalized his dream, his vision. He didn’t know how it would come to fruition. What he knew was that his vision was clear and he described it in detail in his renowned speech delivered from the steps of the Lincoln monument.

As you create your vision, dismiss the temptation to let the “how” stop you. If your vision is clear enough, the how is not even a factor. This can be especially hard for the analytical types. Instead of pouring energy into the “how to” steps, pour your energy into the details of the vision. Use every sense. How do you feel; what does is smell like in your new office or home or country? Where are you; who surrounds you; what is the atmosphere? And how do you feel when you wake up in the morning to begin a new day?

Once you’ve created your vision, review it every night before you go to sleep. Your vision should be so real that when you wake every day, you feel as though you have already arrived. Remember to offer gratitude for the many things in your life you now enjoy and then roll out of bed knowing that your vision is one day closer.

Is all this wishful thinking? No, no and no! What it is -- is creating the life you want. What it is -- is being your own genie!!!! Your wish is your command.

About the Author
Bevv Beirl is a successful businesswoman who has written and spoken on human potential for over 25 years. Bevv is also the editor and CEO of BABM and can be reached at: editor@BABM.com