Have you ever projected yourself in the next ten years, especially
those times when you are merely just staring at one point and dreaming and get
immersed into your own world? Another better off word to describe the
“projection” is vision. Before we start our topic today, let me first explain
the difference between vision and mission: the former is the effect and the
latter is the cause. Mission is something to be accomplished and vision is
something to be pursued for that accomplishment.
As how Raynor (1998) described the relationship between vision and
mission, vision has consistently discussed about the future and it contained
the future-oriented flavour, but it is not completed on its own. It needs the
mission, which can be known as the “building blocks” that sees the vision as
the results and it acts as the solid expression of your vision and values.
In life, all things are created twice - mentally and
physically. It is like a soul searching exercise where it gives a very
clear direction to identify what truly are their deepest passions and motives.
There are a lot of crossroads in life, it is where our mission stands for, and
it eventually guides us to walk through the crossroads that lead us to the
final destination (vision) that we have always aspired. Do you think that these
two statements matter? Yes. Of course I do.
Let us have a look on the examples of a few personal mission
statements of the famous CEOs (Vozza, 2014). Denise Morrison, who is the CEO of
Campbell Soup Company, her mission is “to serve as a leader, live a balanced
life, and apply ethical principles to make a significant difference.” While
Oprah Winfrey, the founder of Own, the Oprah Winfrey Network, her mission was
to be a teacher and to be known for inspiring her students to be more than they
thought they could be. And lastly, Sir Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin
Group aimed to have fun in his journey through life and to learn from his
mistakes.
Aren’t all these successful examples encouraging us to have our
very own vision and mission? Yes, right now things may be difficult and
unsatisfying. So, envision a more fulfilling life, the one that makes you pick
up your passions and interests again, the one that even the deep blue sky makes
you excited all day long and the one that makes you become you again. Put all
the fears aside and tap into your intuition for a moment. Then project your
life in a five to ten years timeframe.
Vision and mission provide us with a virtual map that guides us in
this chaotic world. They are like compass, that leads us through the dark,
tangled forest. It is impossible to move quickly but it is possible to find a
way through. Believe me, you would naturally find a way out and you will be
amazed of what is behind these magnificent of tall tress!
References
Vozza, S. (2014) Personal Mission Statements of 5 Famous CEOs (And
Why You Should Write One too) [online], Feb 25th,
[Accessed: 16th July 2017]
Raynor, M.E. (1998) That vision thing: Do we need it? Long Range
Planning [online], v.31(3), pp.368-376.
[Accessed: 16th July
2017]
By: Yau Che Yan, BAF1541
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