# Crafting a Vision By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2023-05-26 It's not uncommon for people to struggle with creating a meaningful vision. Often visions for organizations lack depth and any sense of inspiration. As individuals, it may be hard for us to answer the question: where do you see yourself in 10 years? Sometimes this is because we acknowledge that the future is uncertain, but often we've never bothered to think about it. Organizations are the same way. Hardly any time is spent thinking. However, when creating a vision, any serious thought will lead to two conclusions. We've already covered the first one: the future is uncertain. This initial barrier leads many to stop right there. Why create a vision if we can't predict the future? The issues of the here and now weigh heavy on our minds and bodies. Addressing them keeps us alive, but provides little purpose. The second conclusion you'll reach is your vision is about your beliefs, not the future. How many organizations and people know what they really believe and value? Very few. To build an effective vision, the organization must not define its values and beliefs, but discover them. Defining your beliefs and values means you are making them up. Discovering them means searching for the essential truths of the organization or yourself. Every person and every organization has beliefs and values. Some are more interesting and meaningful than others. With time, experience, and effort, these beliefs and values can and will change. So, do not give up if you discover things about yourself that you do not like. Once the organization has discovered these things, a vision can be created that naturally defines the purpose of the here and now, but it will also begin to challenge them. Why believe these things? Why not believe something else, something better? Somehow through discovering your beliefs and values, you've inspired a new future based on new beliefs. Worrying about the here and now only shines a light around your feet. Introspection reflects outwardly to light the way. #### Related Items [[Strategy]] [[Purpose]] [[Thinking]] [[Mission Statements]] [[Existential]] [[Organization]] [[Goals]]