20/20 Vision

m-link">efforts, you want its members to be free to pursue
Any successful corporation has a well-defined vision. their own dreams. Why does career achievement
This vision defines the corporation’s aspirationsappear in your vision? Some may say that
and serves as the guiding principle for all significantachievement represents a sense of accomplishment.
future action.  Similarly, every individual needs aHowever, I bet that you also want to get to the next
personal vision.  Any successful corporation has alevel to free yourself of the restrictions of the last one;
well-defined vision, one well-known to all of itsless autonomy, less control of your career direction,
employees and even its customers. This vision definesless income. Ah, income! Why does income appear in
the corporation’s aspirations and serves as theyour vision? As we all know, money is not an end, but
guiding principle for all significant future action. Similarly,a means to an end. You want to earn money by the
every individual needs a personal vision. What is yourtruckload so you can enjoy the freedom of choice
personal vision? What does your finish line look like?that it provides. No matter which aspiration you plug
How will you know when you arrive? Some Type-Ainto your personal vision statement, it all comes back to
personalities may say “I don’t have a finishthat one word. It all comes back to the noblest and
line. I won’t stop achieving until my heart stopsmost righteous of all human pursuits: freedom. A good
beating.” For those of you that are that committedpersonal vision will provide you with the clarity needed
to “the race,” I will amend the question. How willto guide your future action. Once you simplify your
your life appear to you after “Stages 1, 2, 3, etc.”vision from a cluttered list of machinations designed to
are complete? Some among you upon reading thisearn promotions and pay raises to a set of actions
question may say, “Huh?” You are working hardthat which will make you feel free, your approach to
and striving to get to the next stage of your careeryour career and your life will start to change
and your life, but have not yet defined your reason forimmediately. You will focus your mind on the notion
being. Now is the time! Others may respond by sayingthat your vision is righteous and its realization is your
that their vision is defined by a level of income, a levelbirthright if you are willing to do the right work. You will
of comfort for one’s family, a level offocus your skills on choosing the right people to serve,
professional achievement or some combination of alland then honing your skills to serve them well. You will
three. To all of you, I argue that your true vision can befocus your behavior as if you are on a mission,
summed up and articulated in one word: freedom. Am Ibecause you will be on a mission. The mission will be
correct? Let’s examine the aspirations of whichliving in freedom. We all need vision to be successful in
your vision is comprised. Why does family appear inlife. There is no clearer vision than freedom. Your ability
your vision? Because you want to be free to spendto see freedom as you define it will always be 20/20.
more time with your family. Further, through your