Without a long term view of the future, people in organizations have a tendency to get focused on small details and can get bogged down with what is not critical.

When the business environment is tough, organizations become even more entrenched in today’s issues.  The human mind will focus on something and it will choose whatever is closest at hand.  The negative issues feel bigger than they are and many times overwhelm the team.  Incremental improvements do not seem worth the effort and improvements cease.  The primary focus becomes getting through the day, the week, or the painful event.

If instead we redirect ourselves and others towards the longer term view, we can do it in a context of what will also create a better, more powerful future while also dealing with the current crisis.  Keeping the Vision of the future in mind focuses us on how to invest our time, energy, money and creativity today.  It is more exciting and motivating since this implies “hope” for a better future as well as the “understanding” that eventually the external environment will change (which it will – it always does.)  The key is to be ready for the upturn and be one of the first to ride the wave!  It is critical to take action in a way that provides a better future, regardless of the external environment.

We were hired earlier this year to help a client build a quick, balanced and powerful 5 year vision with their team.  This spurred a marketing and sales effort, along with a cost cutting initiative.  The employees are now all motivated by what is happening and their bottom line profit is up!

• Does your organization’s Vision have measurable strategies and goals?

• Are you focusing on the long term to drive the right actions?

• How does your organization provide hope and motivation during times of stress?

If your organization needs help creating and sustaining its long-term vision, contact our expert guides by calling 800-786-4332, or email JSabatini@AppliedVisionWorks.com.  Success is in plain sight and only takes 30 minutes to get started!