It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
Greetings to you!
Each week I send out a short leadership blog that's called "Tuesday at 2:00pm". The purpose of this is simply to provide a brief thought on leadership that you can read and think about in just a few minutes. I send it out every week at 2:00pm (PST) and encourage you to make an appointment with yourself to pause and think about the thing I'm writing about.
Russ...
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
"The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision." Helen Keller
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
This Month we're going to explore some quotes on the theme of VISION. Click Here to see past posts.
I don't know why I started thinking about VISION today. It's October, we're in the last quarter of the year, and like it or not, I'm beginning to think about 2025 and it will be here before we know it!
Let's just identify some great quotes around vision. Some of these I've shared before, and some will be new, but I had to start with these words from Helen Keller. Just spend a few minutes reading about her life on Wikipedia, and then dig deeper. She was extraordinary, and these words are for us all.
Keller is simply reminding us that there IS something worse then being blind, and that's not being willing to think, dream, envision the future. This can affect all of us!
When I say the word VISION, what does that evoke in you?
• Does it create PANIC? You immediately think about what's coming and you avoid it as long as you can because you're overwhelmed with what's happening today!
• Does it create EXCITEMENT? You're looking forward to what's coming and you can't wait to get started. You've been dreaming, thinking, praying and planning and now it's time to take a step forward!
•Does it create COMPLACENCY? You aren't afraid of it and you're not into it, so it's just Ho-Hum.
Maybe there's something else going on inside of you...
We're reminded that vision is essential to our leadership
What does Keller's quote challenge you with?
DEEPER STILL:
Dave Ramsey, in an article called: Vision Casting: 7 Reasons Why It Matters (see below) shares a couple of things that I really resonated with about what creating vision does for your organization. Here's my summary:
"Vision casting clears the mud, sets the course, and gets your team members excited." Dave Ramsey
Here are 7 reasons why:
1) It strengthens your company culture.
2) It attracts thoroughbreds.
3) It encourages problem-solving.
4) It maps your course.
5) It encourages creativity and logic - from everyone.
6) It honors your history and plants seeds for your future.
7) It spreads hope and courage.
Read the full article, but these are great things for any organization.
Casting vision has value.
When I do a LifePlan with a leader, there's a tool that is all about VISION. The exercise is simply to "envision" what your life will look like in 10 years from today, and to describe that with "I will be..." statements. It's a step towards casting vision for your life!
Which one of these 7 reasons would help your organization today?
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
Vision Casting: 7 Reasons Why It Matters by Dave Ramsey
One of my favorite books on vision: Visioneering by Andy Stanley
We're spending some time with a ministry we support helping to CAST VISION and look ahead to the years coming. Check out Jabulani Africa Ministries and the work they're doing in developing leaders to impact Africa for Christ!
Sharon McMahon shares a podcast that describes the process she went through to write and publish her first book. I found the podcast interesting and I learned about the process. Behind the Scenes Episode 1
In 1982 I purchased an acoustic guitar on layaway. It was more money than I had at the time, but I paid it off in 6 months and for the past 42 years, this guitar has moved with me. I picked it up today and the memories just flow! I love this guitar! Takamine EF360C