Like all things in life, you will never go anywhere unless you know where you want to go first. When starting a new business or running an established organization, it’s important to create a vision for your company from the outset. But what do you do if you have no idea how to get there?
Just to be clear (see what I did there), there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a vision of what you want but not knowing exactly how you’re going to get there. This is how many journeys begin. Sometimes in life, you just need to be bold and take a leap of faith.
That is exactly what business partner Peleg Lindenberg and I did when we set out to pursue our shared vision in America. When we made the move to Los Angeles after serving in the military together, we didn’t know what was in store for us in the States. What we did know is that we wanted a better life for ourselves and were willing to take the leap to realize our dreams of owning our own business and making a difference in the world. Looking back, we never could have gotten to where we are today had it not been for having a clear vision.
Vision starts with your company’s CEO. At any organization, the leadership should set the tone for the kind of environment they envision their employees working in. Having a sense of purpose along with a clear vision of what you want to achieve can be the difference between a successful and failed business plan.
While having a vision is necessary for accomplishing goals, it is equally as important to set realistic, reachable goals that reflect where you want your company to go. Without determining attainable goals from the beginning, your vision has no platform for moving forward.
You are more motivated to work towards a tangible goal than an abstract one. When setting goals, I always make sure to ask myself if I’m being S.M.A.R.T.
One of the biggest mistakes a company can make is to start moving forward without knowing exactly where they plan on going. By creating a clear and established vision for your company, you are creating a road map to help guide you through the years, outlining what your business strives to accomplish and acting as a driving force towards that goal. A company without a vision is like a ship without a rudder – destined to drift aimlessly from task to task without building a bond between action and reason.
