imPactful Moment

Grace & Peace,Proverbs 29:18 - Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law. (NASB)Many business entities and organizations prepare for their investors, shareholders and top executives a business plan to outline in presentation form the directives for which it exists. Within that business plan there is included four concentrated plans that are developed to inform key figures on a designed directive, which, if followed, would bring maximum success to that entity.The first concentration plan is a marketing plan which really delineates promotion and distribution. The second plan is the financial plan which really gives an universal view of the funding program looking at both historical precedence and prescribed forecast. Thirdly you have a risk management plan which accents the fourth plan, which is the most detailed of them all, the operational plan. This, by far, is the most important because it details the mechanics of how the overall plan is pan out. It covers everything from Research and development to staff development to asset development. Interesting enough, most of the components in the operational plan have something to do with DEVELOPMENT, but that’s for another time.But there is another part of a business plan that is very important and that is the organizational background. This section details a historical perspective of the company, gives its current status, and mentions the management. However the most vital part of the organizational background division of a business plan is the
Mission and Vision statements. These two statements remind and reiterate the why and the where of that organization. The mission statement answers the question “why do we exist”, and the vision statement answers the question “where are we going”. These two statements are pivotal to the progress of the company because it defines the perimeters and the area of impact.Just like a business or organization needs both mission and vision statements, we too need to have at our disposal these invaluable resources to help galvanize our energies, intelligence, and inspiration to become all that God would have us to be. The Bible teaches us that we are “recreated in Christ Jesus that we may do those good works which God planned beforehand for us, taking paths which He prepared ahead of time that we should walk in them, living the good life which He prearranged for us to live.” (Ephesians 2:10 AMP) God has already planned your success in every area of your life, but why isn’t it happening in my life?The problem most of us have is we have no clue as to how to cast a vision or develop a mission for our lives, and therefore because we have no goal in sight, we wander aimlessly experiencing little or no fulfillment in the areas of our lives that matters most. This is why we read in this verse, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained.” They have no sense of purpose to govern their actions, and as a result they do whatever and let the chips fall where they may.But my suggestion to you is to follow the advice of the Old Testament minor prophet, Habakkuk and “Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming – it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.” (Habakkuk 2:2-3 MSG) Write down where you see yourself in a week, a month, a year, and write or type it so you can hang it on the refrigerator or the bathroom mirror so that you can “read it on the run”. It is important that you continue to remind yourself of where you are going in life, because the more conscious you are of where you are going the more you are able to position and prepare yourself for it.Here’s a simple acronymic formula for casting a great vision (maybe I’ll write about developing a mission later). A great vision is a S.M.A.R.T. vision.Every great vision must be specific, simple and stretchable. When your vision is too common, too complex, or too compacted, it somewhat limits your ability to explore the fullness of your journey. Every great vision has to be measurable, manageable, and motivational. Your vision has to be something that you can do, while at the same time, it has to be something that will, when you see your progress towards that vision, keep you excited about where you are going.A great vision at its base always is attainable and action-based. This is the operational plan of your vision. You have to be able to accomplish, by following systematic steps, what you already know within yourself you have the ability to. If you didn’t believe you could do it, why would you call it your vision?The vision that is accomplished is, without a doubt, going to be realistic, relevant to your personal mission and goals, and rewarding. At the end of the day, you have to be satisfied with the fact that what you are doing you are doing for yourself because you can do it.The final component of an amazing vision is that it is trackable and timely. Over a period of time you should be able to look back at the process and see the major milestone of your journey because you journaled your journey. The passage says that the man who followed the law was happy or blessed. If you cast an S.M.A.R.T. vision and work your way to it, you are on your way to a happier life already.