Vision, Path, and Leadership

As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.   – Henry David Thoreau

 

Anticipation.

What comes to your mind?

A)     Carly Simon’s hit song from her 1971 album of the same name, “Anticipation”

B)     A television commercial with two hungry boys held hostage, waiting for the Heinz Ketchup to exit the glass bottle

C)    Both

D)    None of the above

The 30-second TV ad ends: The taste that’s worth the wait.

 

What’s the rush?

For many of us December is marked by waiting, expectation, and hope … anticipation.  Like those moments in the Story when we said, “I can’t wait until…my first job, first car, first date, graduation, college, first real job, first child, first home, first promotion, first grandchild, first of the year.” We tend to think the moment will never come only to almost miss it.

The frenzied pace of life only serves to exploit time.  Carly Simon’s hit, Anticipation begins…

We can never know about the days to come

But we think about them anyway, yay

And I wonder if I’m really with you now

Or just chasin’ after some finer day

Anticipation, anticipation

Is makin’ me late

Is keepin’ me waitin’

Being present is a challenge in our culture of distractedness.

However, anticipation can be an expectant waiting.  It can be the anticipation that comes with a vision, that faith-inspired view of the future. Invigorating expectancy that is cherished when you live with purpose and passion, focused on seeing and serving others with your life.

Yes there is hope when the path under your feet is leading in the right direction. The direction of our path matters if we are to provide leadership.

What are you waiting for?

Anticipation is reinvigorated during this “season” as we proclaim the launch of a new year. I love a fresh start.

So, what have you faced during the past 52 weeks? As you stand on the “2013 Threshold”, what do you desire for your life in the way of a new beginning?

Whether it is anticipation, expectancy, hope, or eagerness what are you looking forward to?

Vision and anticipation engage a forward-looking perspective. Having a vision for your life, career, business, relationships, health, or finances supports wise daily decisions required to get ‘there’. We must choose wisely for the path’s direction defines our destination. The Story has many paths; each path leads somewhere … where are you headed? Wrong paths develop into a disappointing story.  Following the right paths supports life harmony.

Clarity regarding where you want to be is critical. Without identifying “there” (where you want to be) it is easy to drift. The pressure of everyday life will shove us around … commitments are abandoned and boundaries are violated; less than prudent choices lead to self-limiting behavior. Forward progress is limited.

The path is taking you somewhere … is it where you want to go? Every path leads to a destination … what do you anticipate given your current path?

Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.   – Henry David Thoreau

When will you create space to reflect?

It is necessary to create space if you want to take full advantage of this “fresh start.”  The wise make time for reflection on the Story. You see — the pace of life opposes an examined life.

With so much at stake, why avoid listening to the Story?

Where will your current path take you?

What change(s) are you willing and able to make in pursuit of personal “success”?

What could hinder you from making a greater contribution?

Are you writing the Story today you will want to tell tomorrow? If not, what must change?

In celebration of you and your contribution … Happy New Year!

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