Leaders must be able to effectively visioncast for a preferred future, and effective visioncasting—of course—starts with ourselves. In order to grow and develop our ministries in the right direction, we need to know where we’re headed. Often our best intentions are thwarted by vague goals. We want more leaders, but we aren’t really sure what type of leaders we need. We want better leaders, but we haven’t defined what “better” looks like. Taking some time to clarify a vision for the future can help tremendously.
Exercise: Sit down with some paper and ask yourself two questions: Where are you now? Where do you want to be in 3 to 5 yrs? Being as detailed as possible, paint a picture in your mind contrasting your present situation with your preferred future. How will the future be different than the present? Next, draw a two-column chart. On the left, describe behaviorally and concretely the way things are now. On the right, describe how it will be different in the future by God’s grace. Be as concrete as possible. Finally, ask yourself the question: What will it take to get there?
- Where are you now?
- Where do you want to be in 3 to 5 years?
- How will the future be different from the present?
- What will it take to get there?
Certainly getting there will take some doing, but a clear vision of a preferred future can provide great motivation.