Perhaps few things define one's search for a place in life or in the business world of what will and can be than vision. Vision simply defines what you are building. It is what is seen as a future reality. As trainer Fred Pryor once offered, “Vision is a process that allows you to think ahead to where you want to be and what you want to be doing, and to create workable plans to lead you there.”

From a business perspective, it should address some of the following avenues:

1. What type of business do you have?
2. Where in the marketplace will the business be focusing?
3. How will the business be situated locationally?
4. Who will you serve?
5. What products or services will you provide?
6. How large will you be?
7. How much total revenue will you reach?
8. What is the structure of associates and related personnel?
9. What is your timeframe?
10. What will your culture produce?

Understand that your vision can change over time; dreams, aspirations, and also unrealized needs arise. Just look at how the Internet has influenced business and marketing as well as communications over the past years. Did companies have to adjust their vision to address the new innovations and needs that came forth? You bet! The key though is to Think BIG! as I constantly proclaim, and produce a photographic reality of the business you want and need.

From a personal perspective, creating a vision statement should explore some of the following questions:

1. If anything were possible, what would I want to be different in my life and career?
2. Where would I want to be living?
3. What would I want to be responsible for?
4. What would I really want to be doing?
5. How much would I want to be earning?
6. What will success look like?
7. What matters most?
8. What type of company would I really want to work for or to start?
9. What legacy will I leave?
10. What am I really good at?

Much like a business outlook, personal vision guides you to become what you truly want to be. It can be a dream fulfilled legacy if you believe its possibility and work at a constant mental plan to legitimize its intent. In essence, you are visualizing yourself ahead in time. As leadership expert Peter Koestenbaum said, “Vision is not necessarily having a plan, but having a mind that always plans. In sum, vision means to be in touch with the unlimited potential and expense of this marvelous instrument called the human mind.”

To accomplish almost everything in life, you need vision. You need to expand your mind and dream those big dreams and allow yourself to search deep within and pull out the possibilities. Then, you work diligently to making those things, those dreams come alive for you. It is all possible if your vision is clear and concise so that you do see ahead.

One word of caution: don’t confuse vision with mission.  Mission directs why you exist, and mission is the product of vision. Vision clearly defines what you are building. You must be clear in this understanding if the vision is to guide you as you embark on your journey of looking ahead.

What is your vision? What is truly possible? What really matters? It all lies within. As it was once said, “…In the absence of vision, there can be no clear and concise focus…no meaning to life or work.” Build your vision today.