by Joe Natoli of Mind Over Machines
Some men see things the way they are and ask, "Why?"
I dream things that never were, and ask "Why not?"
- George Bernard Shaw
Start here: According to Webster's, Vision means "unusual discernment or foresight." Vision is that idea rattling around in your head that just won't leave you alone. Vision is the unshakable conviction that's keeping you awake nights. And if you're like most entrepreneurs, vision is something that causes most people you discuss it with to look at you as if you've suddenly grown an extra head.
Vision is authentic; it comes from the heart. And like most matters of the heart, it can be a little... well... illogical. Vision takes imagination and creativity, to be sure — but it also takes a hefty dose of sheer guts and willpower in order to make it reality. Vision is the starting point from which all business ideas and decisions emanate — it's the spark that lights the flame, the central idea behind your business that radiates both light and heat.
There's a quote I've carried around for more than 20 years from an old Nike ad that, in my mind, illustrates what an Entrepreneur is up against in the process of making a vision a reality:
"Those who follow the crowd will never get beyond it. Those who walk alone will now and again find themselves in places no one has ever been before. Risk-taking in the world is not without its serious downside, for the new and unfamiliar often breed ridicule. And an unfortunate thing about being out there is that when people finally realize you might be on to something, they'll say it was obvious all along, that anyone could have done it.
There are two choices in life: you can dissolve into the mainstream or you can be distinct. To be distinct you must be yourself. To be yourself you must strive to be what no one else but you can be. Remember, real failure actually comes from an excess of caution rather than an excess of courage."
Visionaries believe in their dreams enough to put everything on the line to make them real. They quietly push forward while the others shake their heads. Their minds may accept the possibility of failure, but their hearts contain the power to deny it ever happening. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com was practically a laughingstock in the mainstream business community and media for nearly five years. Why? Because he had a vision of something that no one else could see. But Bezos not only saw it, he believed in it. He was immovably adamant that it could, should, would work.
Fast forward five years: Amazon.com becomes the most celebrated online retailer in market, period and Bezos is recognized as a game-changer. Fast forward another ten-plus years and not only has the vision of Jeff Bezos remained intact; one has even come close to replicating this kind of success on such a massive scale. Technology provided plenty of competitors with the tools and a level playing field – but none could match the vision, and the dedication to it that delivered the right action.
That's the key takeaway kids, because an essential part of having vision is staying true to it, especially in the early stages when there's no shortage of small voices talking very often and very loudly about how wrong or misguided or naive you are.
Something you must remember: most business leaders weren't christened "visionaries" until they proved they were right.
Sticking with your conviction and vision is the principle behind all you'll do as an entrepreneur. But (and it's a big one), you gotta learn to be flexible, too. Business markets, climates and the companies that work in them are constantly evolving, constantly changing. Web technology has multiplied that rate of change exponentially; change is constant now. Like living organisms, successful businesses mutate, synthesizing new ideas that — over time — build brand recognition and trust in the hearts and minds of employees and customers. Visionary biz owners are always trying to identify opportunities to expand, improve or simply solidify their vision.
So while I want you to remember that vision is the start of all great things, know that you're also gonna need a hefty amount of determined, decisive action to get the ball rolling and keep it there. It's not enough to know you're right; you have to get out there and prove it. And while you're at it, you'd better keep your eye on the ball. There is a Japanese proverb that will close this little essay better than I could ever hope to:
"Vision without action is a daydream; action without vision is a nightmare."
So tell me – what's your vision?
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Everything Joe Natoli has done and is doing revolves around a very simple premise, one that he believes in passionately: good design is good business. For 20+ years Joe has helped businesses and organizations large and small leverage good design and powerful user experience to create change, make money, save money or any combination of the three. He'd love to help you design something great. Get in touch!
Website: mindovermachines.com | Twitter: @joenatoli
