Power of Vision

 

What gives us confidence? What gives us the strength to challenge circumstances when they don’t seem to be going our way? What makes things feel a-okay when they might have looked otherwise?

I used to think this has something to do with our schooling, our education, our personality or may be a mix. It is in every probability a mix of each of this but more than that it is a strong ability to see for oneself and it is not limited to sight.

Our life takes us through a journey like none other. I look at an individual who has moved away from the script and I want to ask them the question, ‘What made you choose a different path? ’Was it personality or circumstances?’  I also look at some people who are living in the same circumstances and keep wishing. They wish for a better future. They can see it others living a life they wanted for themselves. However that is where the problem starts.

I called it glamour. As an introvert, I loved the glamour of meeting friends and parties and clothes and drinks. I remember when my school batch started organizing monthly get together.  I wanted to go. My friend warned me and practically warned me. She thought I would come back dejected. Luckily for me, nothing of sorts happened and I met a couple of good people and tried reminiscing good old days.

My personal learning after that, I enjoy meeting a lot of people and made some connections, but would probably want to meet them in a smaller setting or connect with them one on one. Our vision of fun and gala time together did not match and I learned to be comfortable with it.

Sometimes a vision that looks good on others might not be for you. Understand yourself better to make that distinction.

 

This error in vision is also clearly outlined when I talk to parents. As a parent, everyone has  a vision for their child. Just today I spoke to a parent who wanted her child to be confident, vocal, smart, multi-talented and at an age of 7. Another parent of a gifted singer and dancer was worried of child’s growing interest in Jazz.  I remember I wasn’t too far behind. I wanted my kids to be stage prodigies when I myself had goose bumps going up on stage.  It was only after a while that I realized that pushing my children into a direction that I want was like pushing them away.

Sometimes it’s best to make combined visions rather than individual especially when it is not just your own to have.

 I mentioned in an earlier blog that I first heard vision as part of vision statement for the organization I joined. 20 years later, I still did not have a vision statement of my own till I started writing this blog. It was important for me not just to have a vision but to keep repeating it myself. My first instinct when I was writing my vision to be cautious. First few thoughts were, what if I am made fun of?  Or Do I  really need to say it? I then realized unless I say out my personal vision out loud, there is not a chance that anyone else will give it the desired attention.

 Have a vision and  say it out loud, your conviction matters more than anything else.

 What gives a person confidence to deal with situation knowing their vision is personal and not impacted by someone else's choice, also knowing that vision has taken into account all stakeholders and you are convinced and unapologetic about it.