Vision shows you the destination but goals pave the path

Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world - Joel A. Barker

As I work with people in helping them achieve their goals, what I help them most with is clarity of vision. The clarity could be in discovering or understanding their vision and then implementing it. What really separates great leaders from the average one is the time and effort they have spent on refining and clearly defining their goals. Backing up, the precursor to goals is actually the vision. On most company websites, you will find vision mission and values. These are the pillars that drive organizations forward. What makes them so important?

For goals to be crisp the vision must be crystal clear. While vision is emotional goals are rational. Vision shows you the destination, while goals pave the path. Goals require action, vision requires imagination and desire. Vision stems from dreaming big dreams. Most people fear grand lofty impossible dreams because they worry about how to achieve them, the road blocks on the way and what would happen if they are unable to. The judgement they will have to subject themselves to and the pressure of achieving those dreams. Contrary to popular thought, the purpose of a big dream is not necessarily achieving it. It is about how it will make you feel.

You see, the dream inspires, gives you direction, it makes you feel compelled to move forward in more meaningful ways. As people see you moving with such purpose and confidence, treading the unknown with resilience, they get influenced, they become followers. The important thing though is to get a good idea of your vision, translate it to goals and then detach from them. Use the inspiration to achieve momentum and effortless actions, fulfilment and joy, stay mindful of the goal and reconnect with it once in a while but practise detachment from it, using it as a muse. Vision on its own is not enough if not coupled with goals. You can stretch your vision to as far as your imagination will allow. However, your goals will stretch you. They continuously test your knowledge, ability, skills and perseverance.

Sometimes the founders of an organization have set such a compelling vision for a company that it attracts leaders aligned with that vision quite naturally and organically. It is simple enough and easy to understand, relatable due to the nature of the business or how it is laid out. For example, Uber wants to solve the transportation problems of the world or Facebook’s vision is to connect people. Many a times though the vision may be quite broad like serving our customers well. This demands that the leaders bringing in clarity on their version of the vision and map and align it to that of the organization. Always remember to focus on the WHAT first without diluting it with the HOW. The how will later be translated, communicated and broken down such that all the people in the organization get it.

Getting to a vision can be a challenge for a lot of people. One thing that can help with vision, is to be childlike. A child wants what it wants. As we get older our brain puts in constructs of the ifs and buts based on our experience and conditioning. While experience can be a great teacher, it is not the best when trying to dream and visualize a new future. Remember experience stems from the past. It serves better with the tactical.; not the best tool for visionaries.

Get going on your vision, after all how will you get there if you don’t know where you are going?

The views expressed in this article are not those of Fortune India

The author is the founder and CEO of Talent Power Partners a global Leadership Development company based in Bangalore. She is a Leadership Development Specialist, an ICF Certified Executive Coach [PCC] and author of the book - Team Decision Making.