Visioneering, Part 2

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” (Helen Keller)

In my previous posts on Visioneering, I have discussed the consequences of not having a vision. One of the consequences of not having a vision is that people are “unrestrained” (Proverbs 29:18, NASB).

In The Message version of the Bible, it reads like this:

“Without vision the people we lead will be confused, scattered, unfocused, and easily distracted. Without vision alignment, people may be busy doing things, but they are easily pulled off center and will quickly wear themselves out.”

In Chazown, Craig Grosechel, says:

“Without a consistent and compelling vision – constant orientation by fixed landmarks – people drift.”

I spend a lot of time with people that are a little further behind me on the road of life. I like to find out where they came from. I like to spend time understanding where they are. But, I really like to talk about where there going. It's amazing to me that so many of these people have no sense of where they're going. They are drifting through their days, working hard, but often with no sense of direction. They are scattered, unfocused, and easily distracted.

When I encounter this, I am reminded of Andy Stanley’s comment: “everybody ends up somewhere…some people end up there on purpose.”

He has expanded on this thought in his most recent book, The Principle of the Path:

“Your direction, not your intention, determines your destination. And your attention, determines your direction.”

What do you pay attention to? That will determine your direction.

So how can you focus your attention? Create a vision for your life.

Where do you want to end up? What do you want people to say about you at your funeral? What do you want your legacy to be? As Stephen Covey said years ago, “Begin with the end in mind.”

Let your vision be the focus of your attention so that your attention will determine your direction because your direction determines your destination.

Failure to Thrive

Most of us are familiar with Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

We tend to emphasize vision when we read or hear that. But I would like us to spend some time on the perish portion of that phrase. Where there is no vision, people perish.

What does that mean? Surely it doesn’t mean they die physically, so exactly what does it mean?

I have been around some vision free organizations and I think I understand what it means for people to perish. It looks like this:

People are just showing up and going through the motions. Their shoulders are slumped as they walk and there is no gleam in their eyes. There is no passion or excitement in their voice.

When people are perishing in this environment, they become irritable and contentious. Any energy that is available is spent on self-centered agendas that perpetuate comfort and convenience.

Several years ago we became transitional care parents for new-born babies who were in the process of being adopted. We understood that new born babies needed love and affection, and we provided that for 60 babies during our 8 year run as transitional care parents. During that time, we learned about a phenomenon that occurs when babies are abandoned or ignored. It’s called failure to thrive.

Children who fail to thrive don't receive or are unable to take in, retain, or utilize the calories needed to gain weight and grow as expected. If the condition progresses, undernourished kids may:
· become disinterested in their surroundings
· avoid eye contact
· become irritable
· not reach developmental milestones like sitting up, walking, and talking at the usual age


I have seen organizations that “fail to thrive.” They are unable to take in resources and grow as expected. The members of the organization become disinterested and irritable. Individually and organizationally, they fail to meet developmental milestones. They fail to thrive and slowly begin to perish.

This is why we need vision. Vision provides what Gordon MacDonald calls “vital optimism.” He defines vital optimism as a quality of spirit possessed by a community or a person where there is a persuasion that the best is yet to be. In essence, vital optimism is hope. It is the confident expectation that history is going somewhere and that God, our Creator and Redeemer, is powerfully directing it.

A loss of vital optimism suggests the opposite: melancholy, disincentive, and a general sense of resignation. When there is a loss of vital optimism, people develop a dissipated spirit.

Where there is no vital optimism, people perish.

But when there is a clear sense of vision people thrive. Their vital optimism becomes contagious.

• The vision trumops personal agendas and people begin to tolerate inconveniences and discomfort for the greater cause.
• A positive buzz emerges within and outside of the organization.
• The organization takes on a new level of vibrancy and enthusiasm.
• People begin to give sacrificially to the vision - both financially and of themselves

Where there is no vision, people fail to thrive ... they perish.

Yet, where there is vision, there is a vital optimism that becomes contagious. Thriving people and thriving organizations generate a positive environment that attracts resources and unleashes our God-given potential.

I Know Why I Am Here

In my first post on Visioneering I discussed the benefits of having a clear sense of vision. Benefit number 4 was:

"It helps us to know why we are here and why our presence matters."


When I was in high school I had the privilege of playing football for the Arlington Colts. Two men on that coaching staff had a profound impact on my life, head coach Bill Carter and assistant coach, Bob Howington. You don’t have to hang around me for long before I break out in a story about those men.

They were worthy of imitation. And they are part of my legacy logic. I am trying to thank them by being to others what they were to me.

One of my favorite Coach Howington stories has to do with a day that this very mild mannered man became very angry with our sloppy execution in practice. He went off on us like I had never seen (or ever saw again). Yet in the midst of it all he was smiling.

After practice was over – and the heat of the moment had passed – I asked Coach Howington if could ask him a question: (Isn’t that a funny way to approach someone?). He responded, “Yes.” (I can hear his unique voice as I write that). I asked, “How can you get so upset with us like you did today and still be smiling?”

He responded, “It’s because I know why I am here.”

I have to admit that as a 16-year old kid, I walked away wondering what in the world he meant by that. But, I never forgot it and after several years of pondering, I finally realized what he meant.

You see, Coach Howington had a clear sense of purpose – a vision – that provided a framework for his life. He knew he was there to influence us to become the men that God wanted us to be. He knew why he did what he did and he did all that he did to bring honor and glory to His Lord.

That's why he could smile even when he was upset with us: He knew why he was there.

Coach Howington’s work with us reminds me of Paul’s work with the Thessalonians:

“…we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”

Do you know why you are here?

Visioneering - Part 1

For some time now I have wanted to discuss “the vision thing.” So this is the first of several posts about Visioneering.

(My spell check doesn’t ever like that word – but I like it, so my spell check just needs to get over it! ... OK, now I have added it to the dictionary).

Visioneering is the title of Andy Stanley’s book and he defines it as “the course one follows to make dreams a reality. It is the process whereby ideas and convictions take on substance.”

Here’s his formula for the process:

Visioneering = Inspiration + Conviction + Action + Determination + Completion.

According to him, "Vision is a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction of what should be. Vision is a preferred future, a destination. Vision always stands in contrast to the world as it is."

We often think about organizations having vision statements, and I think that is important. But, I think that we as individuals also need to have a vision for our life. Vision provides several benefits:

Passion. A clear vision generates strong emotions. It creates excitement as we anticipate our desired future.

Motivation. Vision provides the motivation to persevere the hardships involved in pursuit of something worthwhile. Two –a - days in August and grueling spring trainings are worth it when you can frame it in the context of pursuing championships.

Direction. Vision provides a road map for our lives and simplifies decision making. With a clear sense of vision, there are some options I don’t need to consider. They aren’t consistent with the vision and don’t even need to be evaluated.

Purpose. The uniqueness of our vision gives a sense of meaning and purpose to our lives.

My wife, Laura, has a clear sense of my vision and purpose. Sometimes her vision of my vision is clearer than my own. I begin to drift and start considering some wild ideas. She brings me back on track by saying: “You don’t even need to pray about that!”

Vision provides a sense of direction. Vision simplifies decision-making. Vision keeps your purpose clear and provides the passion to energize your efforts.

Vision allows you to be intensely intentional in everything you do.


Do you have a vision for your life?