I want to talk about vision for a moment.
I found the best way to illustrate a vision is to watch the following 2-minute video of JFK’s famous speech and then discuss it.
When was the last time you heard a politician give such an inspiring speech? Probably not for a long while, but never mind.
This speech galvanized the world during one of the most exciting decades in history. Having such an audacious goal was a catalyst not only for the American people, but for all nations as well.
I chose this speech to demonstrate the power of a grand vision, the power of setting big goals that will energize you for a long time. When a vision guides your life, you wake up every morning invigorated.
These excerpts from the speech illustrate the power of a compelling vision.
“William Bradford, speaking in 1630 of the founding of the Plymouth Bay Colony, said that all great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage”.
Staying on the sidelines or in the stands does not require any effort or courage. But undertaking a life-changing endeavour demands both honorable actions and tremendous bravery. It is indeed praiseworthy to make sweeping changes that create significance in your life, changes that will require you to overcome difficulties with answerable courage.
“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too”.
What is your big goal for the next decade?
If you don’t have one, I invite you to search for one. A grand goal will provide a level of energy you have never before experienced. The power of a vision lies in its ability to daily energize you towards the achievement of your audacious goal.
In order to have the best life you can, as JFK says, this is a challenge you must be willing to accept, one you are unwilling to postpone, and one which you intend to win.
A big, difficult goal requires the best of ourselves. It requires us to optimize our energies and skills—sometimes even develop new skills. During this process, we become a new person.
“Many years ago the great British explorer George Mallory, who was to die on Mount Everest, was asked why did he want to climb it. He said, ‘Because it is there.’
Well, space is there, and we’re going to climb it, and the moon and the planets are there, and new hopes for knowledge and peace are there. And, therefore, as we set sail we ask God’s blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked”.
Your life, your future lies ahead of you. Choosing a big goal will require the best from you. Like Mount Everest, it is there and must be conquered. You should climb the peak of your potential, where new hopes for knowledge and peace (in this case, your inner peace) await you.
And as opposed to climbing Mount Everest, it is not hazardous to your health. So why not do it?
“Our hopes for peace and security, our obligations to ourselves as well as others, all require us to make this effort, to solve these mysteries, to solve them for the good of all men”.
I sincerely believe that we can improve our world and our lives only if we all improve individually.
Mankind’s future, as well as our hopes and obligations to ourselves, all require us to work towards defining and achieving our vision.
I encourage you to take an exciting new path and join me in this adventure that is life.
So, think about it and ask yourself:
What should I intend to do in the next decade?
Who do I want to become in the next ten years?
Pierre I love this blog and it’s amazing to look at JFK’s vision again. Life is full of challenges on the road to our vision but I agree with you when we have our vision so strong we are focused to make it happen no matter what. That big goal is definitely like climbing Everest but getting to the top is always worth the climb.
Thanks Rebecca! what is your big goal for the next decade?
Thanks for the inspiring blog, Pierre!! I choose to go to the “moon” because it’s so far and yet so magnetic, so uplifting and so energizing. This will provide the motivation and the direction I need to be fully alive and on purpose. From that place, I will be able to help and inspire others to find their own moon.
You made a great choice Donatella! Congratulations!
Excellent post Pierre. An inspiring vision, one that really matters to them, can help people do amazing work. Good luck with your amazing work.
It sure does Steve!
i love this post Pierre! Not only is JFK one of my beloved favorites, but the message you weave into his vision is inspirational. We will all evolve if we evolve individually. The great work of our life starts with us! And goals and aspirations are the pathway that will lead us there.
Be well my friend!
He was such an inspiration Dawn! We are a few weeks away from federal elections here in Canada and what I see is so pathetic… we are so far from his inaugural address in which he said: ask not what your country can do for you but ask yourself what you can do for your country! Many people think that the government will their life for them…
Hello Pierre, Nice post. I would like to say vision statement should paint a picture of your future goal. I liked your statement : Your life, your future lies ahead of you. Choosing a big goal will require the best from you. Yes I do agree. Many companies belive in only mission but giving a vision statement to an agilist leader is like giving submarine to the scuba driver. Vision Matter most.
I like your metaphor Vikrant! I think that mission and vision need each other
Vision is about:
Where are we going?
What do we aspire to achieve?
Mission is about:
What do we do?
Who we do it for?
You can also read another article on vision on my blog. It is called We choose to go to the moon!
JFK’s speech is a memorable call to action. But few people would argue against the vision.
http://netnebraska.org/interactive-multimedia/news/president-obama-omaha?gclid=Cj0KEQjwz-i3BRDtn53Z5Z7t4PUBEiQA23q2ADkIhz1rdRxJ3mdWBWwy6BwLL3LHrB1Ck6fXqwl3keoaAhcF8P8HAQ
Is President Obama speaking for 45 minutes about health care, unemployment insurance, retirement pensions, a living wage, a cure for cancer, clean energy? Subjects that face a lot of resistance in the USA. They are not exciting in the same way as a moon landing. But are more meaningful to most people. Obama tells stories and works his audience. He answers a comment called from the hall. I suggest it is a more difficult sell than reaching theMoon.
I agree with you Peter!
It is always nonsense in the eyes of lazy people in seeing you doing hard and complicated works but they want when it is a time for luxuries and looking. Civil engineers/technician should bear in mind is that to push the World for the betterment of mankind.