Vision

Some really deep words there.

But first, a little bit of trivia.

Those of us who grew up in the 1980’s will remember the term "WYSIWYG" (What You See Is What You Get). It became popular with the rise of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) and word processing software in our computers.

WYSIWYG is the ability of software to display on the screen exactly what will be printed or rendered, like what you are looking at right now. It refers to software tools that allow users to create and edit content visually, without having to write computer code directly.

James Clear, in his book "Atomic Secrets," emphasizes that vision is our most potent sensory ability. 10 million of our body's sensory receptors are dedicated to sight. 50% of the brain's resources are allocated to processing visual signals. In other words, Vision plays a crucial role in shaping our behavior and decisions.

He ends with this clincher:

“A small shift in what you see can lead to a big shift in what you do.”

A priest mentor during my younger days often used to quote this verse:

It cannot get any clearer than this.

Without a clear vision,

• We will likely be pulled all over by every passing distraction.

• No strategy would be able to save us whether in life, work or play.

• All the work that we do will probably seem meaningless.

• Vision without taking action is merely daydreaming, and

• Action without vision will end up a nightmare.

Perhaps that is why visionaries are held in high esteem.

Today we use vision boards to map out plans, organizations issue vision statements, and keynote speakers and facilitators often quote leadership with vision.

Here’s another one for consideration, from a world-renowned psychologist:

What Jung means here is that vision is not limited to sight. It is more than that. Vision is the ability to look inside oneself. But how do we “look inside?”

Looking inside is the process of introspection and self-reflection, exploring thoughts, feelings, and inner experiences. It helps one gain self-awareness and understanding, leading to informed decisions and personal growth.

Perhaps a clue from St Saint-Exupéry’s Little Prince can help:

In "The Little Prince," the narrator describes a drawing he made as a child. However, most adults misinterpreted the drawing as a hat. What he had in fact drawn was a boa constrictor swallowing an elephant!

The story of the Little Prince is symbolic of how adults often lose their sense of wonder and imagination. As we age, for most of us, it becomes increasingly challenging to maintain a childlike mindset.

Being childlike is about seeing the world through a playful lens and applying it to everyday life. Hence, the Little Prince’s disappointment with adults.

When Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, the company was in the red, bleeding money, and on the verge of going belly up.

Within one year, he had turned the company around, made it profitable again, and in a short span of time, transformed it into one of the most successful technology companies in the world.

The 1st Generation of iMacs changed the course of the company. Out went the dull beige standards, in came the playful candy-colored ones. It was like something straight out of his childhood.

A slew of iPods, iPhones, and iPads impacted the marketplace. Today, Apple is the biggest company in the world with a market capitalization of $2.47 trillion.

It began with one man with a vision.

Vision often involves having foresight. It means having a clear idea or picture of what we want to achieve or the direction we want to move towards in the future.

It goes beyond just focusing on the present moment and involves anticipating and planning for what lies ahead.

It is screaming for bad habits to be broken and replaced with new and better ones.

Having foresight allows one to anticipate potential challenges, set goals, and make decisions that align with long-term aspirations.

If we really want to plot or change our direction in life and attain the ultimate fulfillment, then we need to make this shift in our thinking and doing.

It is not easy.

Steve Jobs wouldn’t have found it easy. But it is necessary.

It calls for taking time out to reflect, ponder, and wonder.

Ask yourself “Who am I?” and "What do I truly want?"

The answer is within you.

Final Thoughts:

“A small shift in what you see can lead to a big shift in what you do.”

“What You See Is What You Get! WYSIWYG😅

Till next time,

Jude