Seeing Is Believing

Here’s the 463-word Vision/Mission Statement:

Wait. That’s not it.  Sorry.

That 463-word vision/mission statement has been on our refrigerator for over a decade, and now I can’t find it.

In it’s place, this One-Take You Tube video I shot two days ago. It basically covers, more or less, the essence of those two words.

So many of you won’t click on the video, because you’re too busy, too afraid, or idiotic.

And remember, by idiotic, we define it as: Someone who acts in a self-defeating or significantly counterproductive way.

463 Word Vision Statement

Spring Grove, Pennsylvania
Spring Grove, Pennsylvania

There once was a man from Nantucket, ….

Okay, sorry, forgive me please.

There once was a man from Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, who traveled around the country, by bus, by (someone else’s) car and by bicycle.

In 1984, he and his wife of one year, flipped a coin.  Palm trees and sunshine won out over mountains and wide-open spaces.

As the years went by, he read many a good book. Gained a ton of knowledge, and even hand-crafted a personal vision/mission statement.

A 463-word vision/mission statement.

Until one day, while teaching to others the critical importance of a leader’s vision, he had a flash of brilliant insight.

The reason people don’t remember fancy, wordsmithed corporate vision/mission statements is due to one glaring reason.

With only a few glorious exceptions, they are way too fancy and way too long.

So he set out to do something about it.

And he labored and poured his heart and soul into it. He took a 463-word vision statement and made it shorter.

Much shorter.

He made it 461 words shorter.  For real.

He made it two words.

What’s You Biggest Dream?

Brain Power to Dream
Brain Power to Dream

It’s fun to dream big dreams, isn’t it?

We did this constantly as children, a little less often as adolescents, and even less as teenagers.

Well, maybe we dreamed more as teenagers, but mostly about  sex relationships.

But when did we stop dreaming about flying, or becoming an astronaut, artist, inventor, teacher, parent, Olympic athlete, President, CEO, farmer, race car driver, explorer, adventurer, writer, etc?

When?

When life started to get complicated.

When we can return to simplicity, our dreams will start to flourish again.

How do I know?  Because I’m writing this for you to read.

Mid Life Words

Nothing Under Mid Life
Nothing Under Mid Life

Are you getting this? Mid Life Crisis versus Mid Life Celebration.

These are simply mid life words, but the difference between the two sets of words is as profound as the difference here:

  • Hate and Love
  • War and Peace
  • Terrorist and Missionary
  • Dishonest and Honest
  • Criminal and Saint
  • Death and Life
  • Apathy and Passion
  • Crisis and Celebration

Have I told you lately how much joy it brings to know there are others out there who benefit as much from Mid Life Celebration as I do?

Three days away from New Year’s Eve. Got big plans for 2010?

Wisdom Confidence Courage Joy

A Word Is Worth A Thousand Pictures
A Word Is Worth A Thousand Pictures

Do you have words that fill you with Joy?  Words that inspire you? Words that instantly create positive images in your mind?

Four favorites are in the Mid Life Celebration blog post title here – wisdom, confidence, courage, joy.

Do those do anything for you?  How about these:

  • Faith, Hope, Love
  • Peace, Harmony, Balance
  • Creativity, Innovation, Change
  • Laughter, Humor, Bliss
  • Hunger, Desire, Passion
  • Determination, Tenacity
  • Vision, Mission, Brand
  • Social Media, Blogs, Facebook
  • Mind, Body, Spirit, Money

Words. So many good ones. So much meaning.

Mid Life Crisis and Mid Life Celebration. Ya with me?