It seems like this is a great time of year for a vision checkup. Most people have closed out last year’s financials, aside from gathering final information for taxes. We have evaluated data and information to gain a clear picture of what kind of year we just experienced. Crop yields, milk production, labor efficiency, profitability and many other benchmarks have been totaled, assessed, compared and reviewed. Last year is now behind us, and there is nothing we can do about it other than learn from it.
So now what? For some, this means waiting to see what Mother Nature will bring in terms of weather. Others are studying the prices they are likely to receive for crops, milk, calves, cull cows or other products they plan to sell this year and using that information to develop expectations for the months ahead.
Then there is the expense side. For those who have finalized financial budgets, you already have a strong sense of where costs are headed for 2026. You may have also assembled a list of expected capital purchases for this year or beyond.
In other words, even though it is still early in the year, many people already have expectations set about what kind of year 2026 will be.
So, what does all of this have to do with a vision checkup? Anyone who wears glasses or contacts understands the importance of regular eye exams to ensure prescriptions are accurate. However, the vision checkup I am encouraging you to take part in has nothing to do with your eyes.
If we look up the word vision in the dictionary, it refers to the ability to see with our eyes. The kind of vision I am referring to is much deeper and more profound than physical sight.
The vision I am talking about is connected to what we see with our minds, hearts and souls. It is a picture or expectation of what is to come.
I love leadership, and it is very clear that vision is one of the most important responsibilities of any leader. Great leaders understand the significance of not only possessing vision but also clearly communicating it to everyone connected to the organization.
People naturally think in pictures, which is why it is so important to create a clear picture of the future you want. Do you have a picture of what you want your business to look like this year? Yes, there are things we cannot control, such as weather, but there are many things we can control.
What kind of culture do you want in your business, and is that part of your picture? You can choose how people fit into your operation. Do you want more fun, happiness or personal fulfillment included in your vision? What else, beyond profitability or productivity, would you like your business to be known for?
Imagine you are attending a conference and walk into a room full of people. You are handed a microphone and asked one question: “Could you please describe the vision for your business?” Your answer will use words to paint a picture of what you expect for the future. All great leaders have vision and can communicate it clearly to those responsible for helping achieve it.
The powerful picture I am describing is not a picture of what was or even what currently is. Too often we look back at our past and assume that what has happened before is an accurate reflection of what will happen next. Unfortunately, we allow past experiences to shape a subconscious picture that limits our future.
But it does not have to be that way. This is where real power comes in. Your vision for the future does not need to include anything from your past or present circumstances. Vision should be a picture of what is possible.
The challenge is that we often allow others, our own doubts, past failures or negative experiences to limit what we believe is possible.
We all define success differently, and that is okay. Your vision should support and help define what success means to you. What is one thing you want to include in your picture of success this year? Do not let your past or present circumstances determine whether it feels possible. It is your picture, and you are allowed to create it. Once you clearly define that picture and accept that it is achievable, you will subconsciously begin taking steps toward it without even realizing it.
