At a recent Retreat we spoke about how to
clarify the vision that God gives us. People often have radically different
size visions, despite having a lot in common they can be on entirely
different vision wavelengths. Here’s Ten Factors I borrowed from Will Mancini to consider in determining the size of your vision.
#1 The size of your
God This isn’t a spiritual throw-in to get the
list rolling. This is a very discernible feature in a person’s life. Some
people have a more cultivated inner life and deeper awareness of God’s Word.
Their ability to dream big comes from the big God that they walk with and serve
each day.
#2 Exposure to
others who “think big” Did you ever notice why many prominent leaders
have children who are prominent leaders? Think of Andy Stanley or Franklin
Graham, for example. When you are around others with a larger perspective, it
rubs off. I am surprised sometimes how people tend to stay in a very confined
space—geographically and relationally—for their entire lives.
#3 An active
imagination Some people have a tenacious impulse to learn,
ask questions and grow how they think. That kind of curious drive pays off. The imagination
is your most powerful human ability. Do you exercise it much? Einstein said
that imagination is more important than knowledge.
#4 Sequences of risk
taking This the ability to “stack risk-taking” and
feel the momentum of one “leap of faith” after another. Many people take a risk
or two and settle for the really good outcomes rather than continuing to find
even more extraordinary results.
#5 Ability to focus
gifting Most people know themselves but don’t have a fine-tuned
understanding of precisely why God
put them on earth. When you do, and when you focus that gifting, big things
will result. The scope of your vision grows as your focus narrows. Are
you trying to do five things with your life or one thing?
#6 Team and network
building ability We all know wild dreamers who didn’t have a
team. Your team building ability will dramatically enable of disable the size
of your vision. In addition, Wisdom, access, ideas, and opportunities are
increased through active network cultivation. Wouldn’t you expect the
vision of a pastor who networks to be bigger than one who doesn’t bother? How do you network?
#7 A goal
oriented outlook daily Every person who achieves a big vision has a
basic recipe for attacking the 24-hour unit of time we all possess. What is
yours? Most people have three kinds of days in life:FREE DAYS - FOCUS DAYS - BUFFER DAYS
#8 Margin to
write down your dreams People enjoy dreaming and writing down their
“wish list” when given the time. That doesn’t take discipline— it’s
one of the most exciting things you can do! Over and over again, you will see the common thread of big
visionaries: Put it on paper
#9 Recovery from
big failures Don’t underestimate the power of a good
failure. Failures remind you that life is short. Failures expand your pain
threshold. Failures purify and humble and bring powerful perspective.
#10 Graciousness and
kindness to others There are people who excel at the first nine
factors but in the end, they just aren’t that nice. They don’t care about
others. They don’t stay connected to their teams and their friends. They are so driven,
they lose the human element in everything they do. So you might not think something this simple
would make the “big vision” list. But it’s vital. How does “grace” look in your vision?
What areas of vision do
you need to work on?
