Today I read something that impacted me. It was along the lines of one should create a strategic plan, not only for business but for personal goals as well. There were six steps, I will go through each one in a blog as I continue to plan one for my personal goals. The six steps were: Define a Vision and Mission, Analyze the Current State, Set Objectives, Develop a Plan, Implementation, and Review and Adapt. Today, I will discuss Defining a Vision and Mission.
When defining a vision and a mission, one has to be able to see it, even though it does not already exist. It has to be so real that once shared with others they should be able to see it as well. For example, I envision a successful photography company. I see this company as the primary income for myself and the co-founder. I see a small store, where there are photographs printed on five different size canvases. I see an attendant who welcomes consumers and answers phones to take online orders and inquiries, and I see myself speaking to those visitors informing them of the process and discussing their thoughts of the photograph. Were you able to see it as well? That is a vision. Now how do I turn that vision into reality?
The second task that must take place is creating a mission statement. This is the Why. Why this business, what do I have to offer that others are not offering? Most importantly, does my reason align with my values, if it does not, perhaps this business is not what I need. Luckily, my values align with my why. A mission statement should be clear, concise, and add value, to you and the customer. Once the Vision and Mission has been completed, it is time for step two: Analyzing the Current State.
Disencumbering my Chains 