Mediocrity is a region bordered on the North by compromise, on the south by indecision, on the east by past thinking, and on the west by a lack of vision _ John Mason.
The understanding of the source of your vision is one step to fulfilling it. After understanding the source of the vision, the next step is being aware of potential obstacles in your life that can derail your vision. If you are aware of these obstacles on time, you will be prepared to recognize and overcome them. Three major obstacles to fulfilling vision are:
not understanding the nature of the vision
not recognizing the cost of vision
not knowing the principles of vision
Most people wallow in mediocrity - "a region bordered on the North by compromise , on the south by indecision, on the east by past thinking, and on the west by a lack of vision ".
Not Understanding the Nature of Vision
The main thing about vision is that it is specific. One of the greatest causative factors of failure amongst people working towards a vision is that they do not identify their objective of success.
This may sound simple but it is the truth. People fail because they do not know where to succeed in. Much of our frustration and depression comes from not making any progress in the pursuit of our vision - even when we know we are working hard. This inability to reach our goals occurs when we don't aim at a specific target.
Suppose I wake up and say to you, "Let's meet. " You'll say, "Okay: Where? ". I reply, "Oh, anywhere". What are the chances that we will actually meet? Practically zero. Vision must be specific rather than ambiguous or vague.
Engaging in Wishful thinking
Another very important reason why people aren't specific about their visions is that they are overwhelmed by wishful thinking. Their dreaming doesn't go beyond vague ideas of what they would like to do "someday". Yet dreaming is only the beginning of vision. We should have wills rather than just wishes. In other words, instead of wishing that things get better, we must make concrete resolutions. We must make resolutions and work towards making the resolution come to fruition by conscious and deliberate efforts. For example, instead of wishing you could lose weight, see a doctor and go on a specific weight loss plan. And instead of you wishing you could go to university, go ahead and write the requisite examinations that will enable you secure admission into the university of your choice.
Living with Indecision
Many people's visions never take specific shape because they can't make up their minds on what exactly they want to do in life. The only decision they make is not taking a decision at all. Indecisiveness is a vision and a dream killer and it also drains joy out of life. I've noticed that the most miserable persons in the world are those who are not bold enough to make a decision.
Many of us make shopping lists even before we go to the store, but few of us actually make a list of what we want for our lives. Some people have been trying to decide to do something for years, still they haven't still made a solid decision about it. Sometimes, they impose this delay on themselves because of uncertainty and fear of failure. Other times, they worry about what others may say or think about about their ideas. Yet this set of people are putting themselves in a dangerous position: the middle of the road. When you are indecisive, life keeps running you over. "
Seeking "Balance"
Some people don't not one to be focused on a single goal as they fear their lives may not be balanced. The problem with these people is that they may out plans for like forty years and end up not doing anything at all! What they a pursuit of balance is in actual sense an excuse for indecision. This set of persons usually end up being average and mediocre people.
True balance is the maintenance of equilibrium while moving towards a destination. A good example of this is the way the ship moves on the ocean. A ship always needs to maintain it's balance. Yet, balance is not an end in itself but rather, it is a means to an end. A ship keeps it's balance as it makes its way to a specific port. Likewise it is expedient to have a destination in view even as we're maintaining balance in our lives.
Trying to do everything
A common reason why people aren't specific about their visions is that they are trying to do too much. Their problem isn't getting started but rather it is about attempting too many things at the same time. Even though they are busy doing something, they are actually doing nothing at all because they never finish anything.
Why does this happen? Because most people make the mistake of believing that the secret to relevance in life is to stay busy. Yet thisway to thinking is a trap. Business doesn't necessarily equal progress. It doesn't necessarily mean you are heading towards a specific destination.
I've learnt over time that I was not born to do everything. When you realise this, it will set you free from the shackles of indecision and ineffective busyness. When we aim at everything, we usually achieve nothing. It is very easy to become concerned about the many problems we face in the world. Compassion is not only an admirable quality but it also is an essential element of vision. However, you cannot try to meet every need around you and still be effective in helping people. The more needs you attempt to meet, the less effective you are likely to become.
I do hope I have been able to give you a few tips on how to surmount obstacles and challenges even on your way to your desired destination.
Kind Regards,
