Inc.Magazine published an article by Ari Weinzweig, co-founder and CEO of Zingerman's community of businesses in Ann Arbor Michigan on the power of visioning. Ari in his article claims that he always creates vision for his company and every small or big project it starts and that vision guides the company to success in future. I liked his philosophy, so I wanted to translate his techniques for setting vision for his business to the techniques to set our own vision for a successful career. Remember power of visioning comes from imagining the future as if it is happening today. Here are the eight steps to a vision of your great career:
STEP 1: Pick a specific topic - Its important to start by being clear what you are visioning for? Your skills, your income and asset, your retirement or an expensive car.
STEP 2: Pick a time frame - Your vision works best if you set out the time frame. For example 1-2 years for short term career vision and 2-5 years for long term career vision will work fine.
STEP 3: Make a list of your achievements: It might sound like this: "I am really proud of my work in the past projects that is successfully implemented." or "I created an intrinsically motivated team last year." Anything good that comes to mind is worth noting down. This should not take more than 10 mins. The idea is to create a base of positive energy on which future success can be built.
STEP 4: Write the first draft - You must start putting your vision draft on paper or computer. Make sure you mark the document DRAFT on top. And, go wild when you envision your career. If the early draft is not scary enough then probably you haven't pushed hard enough. Make sure you be specific. Rather than saying I want to earn big money, say I want to have $500k a year income. Write from your heart. Put down something that comes down from your gut without thinking of what other people will think of when they see it. Most importantly, write as if vision has already happened not that its going to happen. Something like, "Its hot sunny day in June and I am sitting in my big corner office of my startup making strategy for the next product launch." Don't drag on writing the first draft. Go quickly, chances of being successful is high. Blend your personal and professional vision together. Now, when you have a first draft(take no more than 30mins) set it aside for few days.
STEP 5: Revise - review and revise by reading from start to end. Do not erase anything, on computer its easy save another version. Does this excite you when you read it? Replace any vague statements with the real ones. Personal goal related to career may sound something like "I am going to spend more time with kids" which is considered vague, change it to something like I will sit with my kid at least 3 evenings and help her do her homework or I will take 2 weeks vacation with family every year.
STEP 6: More revision - review and revise again, may be a couple of more times.
STEP 7: Solicit input - Get your vision reviewed by your mentor and friends that you trust. Remember its your vision, seek the input but you are not obligated to change your vision. It is very important that you show this to the folks who have experience, insight and expertise related to your vision. Some of them will talk about action plan to achieve your vision, listen to them carefully and take notes. They will come handy later.
STEP 8: Share your vision - This is the time to share your vision with anyone who will be instrumental in implementing it. If you are married your family will have very important role in making your career vision a success.
Don't forget your vision still says "What" not "how" don't worry about how, you will figure out sooner.
