Destiny calling? Let VISION be your guide
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What is your destiny? Where will you be in five years? Or 10, or 30?
Of course, no matter how hard we search, no one can answer that question with certainty. But while we can’t know our destiny, we CAN know and change our direction.
The journey toward destiny always begins with VISION. Vision is the roadmap to your destiny, the picture of your purpose. Without it, you may find yourself off course — or worse, going nowhere.
I feel so strongly about the power of a vision that I devoted my 2009 book, Put Your Dream to the Test, to that very subject.
But even without the help of a book, you can start discovering your vision today. How?
Take some time to LOOK…
- Within you: What is your passion?
- Behind you: How have past lessons and experiences prepared you to pursue your passion?
- Around you: What’s happening to others in this area (the trends)?
- Ahead of you: What do you want to accomplish?
- Above you: What part does God play in your life and dream?
- Beside you: What resources are available to you?
- Alongside you: Who can partner with you in this pursuit?
Hubert Humphrey was a man with vision. He took his first trip to Washington, DC, in 1935, and wrote the following to his wife:
Honey, I can see how someday, if you and I make up our minds to work for bigger and better things, we can someday live here in Washington and probably be in government, politics, or service… Oh gosh, I hope my dream comes true – I’m going to try anyhow.
Hubert Humphrey’s dream carried him all the way to the United States’ vice-presidency. Where could your vision carry you? The vision you have truly will shape the person you become.
As a story I want to tell them that once went to a place in Guatemala that had signs like those in the photograph but the text had distant places such as the north pole, China or Patagonia and exact few miles of that place had to destination marked me laugh and I saw it as an ornament, after a course that I received about the fate saw this with different eyes, because we can get goals that sound fancy but if we can
get to do utmost to achieve the safe trip and something good will come of this.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by blest63: LEER RT @johncmaxwell: Vision: signpost to destiny. New post at John Maxwell on Leadership: http://bit.ly/9HcVhl…
As a life coach I am convinced in the power of vision and work with clients to create a life vision plan. Life doesn’t have to be a random set of circumstances that takes us along the path. We can plan and be intentional about what we believe God gifted us to do and given us a passion for. When these two elements are combined, He will be glorified!
Even on a smaller scale, I choose three specific words for my 2010 goals and have noticed huge movement with one of them already and we’re only 7 weeks into the New Year! I’m convinced that this wouldn’t have happened I hadn’t written them down.
Thanks for another great post!
This is a very timely message for me. I find myself at major crossroads struggling to decide which way to go. While unemployed for the past 4 months I’ve worked on building a business around my passion of real estate. While it has not yet produced any money I have a very real chance of that changing very soon. On the other hand I have an opportunity to go to work for a large homebuilder that would require that I move 2 hours away. I would also be leaving my work as a church elder and going to a much larger church. My passion is to continue working on my business and make it successful. But I also have to make sure that I provide for my family. I just wish that God now spoke to us as plainly as he did the patriarchs of old! Above all I want to do His will but I’m not clear on this one. The points given by Mr Maxwell will give me something to meditate on to make my path more clear. Thanks for your post Mr Maxwell!
Just read the most recent post and I am in the process now of pursuing things in my life that I have always wanted. However, its hard to do sometimes when you have setbacks in life and you find yourself now just struggling to make it. But reading this post has only motivated me to live out my vision and do better in life. Thank you.
“You have not because you ask not.”
I’ve found in my walk with the GODHEAD [all 3]
that my relationship does not depend on God but it depends on me. It begins with me. The people that GOD has used in the past, present and the future are those who simple put kept their eyes on GOD.
The Disciples didn’t always have the answers or know what was coming next but they kept their eyes on GOD. As a direct result they are impacting so many people.
Lasy year I ended up at a lot of places simply by having by eyes on GOD, listening to His voice, following the Holy-Spirit. I learned that while I was walking blindly by faith people in another area were praying. I told my sister “They prayed”
Freewill comes from GOD because he loves menkind that much.
John,
Wow, great stuff and I couldn’t agree more. About two years ago I clarified vision in my life. Since then everything changed. More recently, my personal vision for 2010 is to extend positive influence using technology. I can’t believe what has happened in 6 short weeks.
I’m going to quote your “LOOK” list. It’s really helpful.
Regards,
Leadership Freak
Dan Rockwell
John,
As human beings, many times we lose sight of the vision we have cast for ourselves if we don’t see immediate results. I am a firm believer that God is preparing us for what He has prepared for us. Don’t think all is lost if your vision doesn’t become a reality as quickly as you thought it would. Enjoy, learn, and exhale during the journey. As we say in the sports world–”The will to win is nothing compared to the will to prepare to win.”
Your friend,
Johnda
lack of vision means lack of direction its a true fact. you will go were the wind blows
This is also a timely message for me. I have been trying to determine my personal mission and where I want to be in the next 10 years. I have read many books including yours but I feel I have something blocking my consciousness to get there. My quest is how to unblock your core to set the train in motion?
Very good article. I would also like to say that if you not looking in these directions, your vision is not complete and you will follow the path of least resistance. Leading requires a certain level of aggression and without it your followers (family, business employees, etc.) will also drift. If it is going to be, it is up to me (to do).
Thanks Mr. Maxwell
John,
I am reminded of the scripture which says, “…without vision…people perish…”. I find that having a vision with focused and well developed action plans lead to success. Thank you for always providing such valuable content.
You blog is truly an inspiration of millions of people reading it.. Gos bless you always! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOO… read your twitter. I am your follower..
GRACE /PHILIPPINES
I agree having VISION is important in order to move forward , of course with God involvement it makes our vision more clear to see and to follow which roads to take, to detour, to stop etc…this reminds me of a Life Chart map, where you draw picture of where you were (past), where you are now(present), and where you are going (future)- Let’s have our eyes (heart) examine daily ( prayers) –
As always, I enjoy your comments……they always me me think…..
I’ve started a movement in my country that i believe is going to impact positively on my nation. the task ahead is probably extremely difficult but i have a vision to see my people become better and value-adding citizens of this nation…
Sometimes the vision is challenged by the realities of hardened people with so much negativity..but having it gives direction to our passion..passion is like the fuel in which the vehicle (strategy i guess), with me as the driver can get to my destination (vision)…
thanks for the extra insight about passion you have impacted my nation by impacting me!
To know, to understand and to apply
To know and become knowledge
to know and become know how
I am keen to acquire knowledge or knowhow to tell me that
what I am doing is going to my right destiny
May God help me
To know, to understand and to apply
To know and become knowledge
to know and become know how
I am keen to acquire knowledge or knowhow to tell me that
what I am doing is going to my right destiny
May God help me
Great thoughts…the power of vision should carry us to that place where God has destined us.