5 Keys to Keep L.A.S.E.R. Focus on Your Vision

As a leader I often hear people say that you need to have “laser focus” in order to accomplish anything significant. But other than needing to really concentrate your efforts on your objective, what else does “laser focus” mean?

Here are five practical tips for keeping L.A.S.E.R. focus on your vision, so you can accomplish the incredible dream God has put in your heart…

1. Lock in on your core idea: Keep your passion pointed in a precise and positive direction. It’s easy to get distracted by the peripheral bells and whistles of your vision. Always remember why you’re doing what you’re doing. Don’t get preoccupied by what’s enticing yet not essential.
2. Activate your imagination everyday: Sometimes it can be easy to become uninspired when we get stuck in the often less-than-glamorous daily routines of living out our vision. Do something everyday to keep your creative juices flowing so they don’t get stagnant and you don’t get stale.
3. Stimulate others with your vision: If you can do it all by yourself it’s too small. B.I.G. dreams get heavy. Attract a good team of people to help you carry it.
4. Eliminate doubt and doubters: Fear feeds futility, but faith fuels fabulous outcomes. Stay connected to God and with people who see the vision and can help keep your faith fueled.
5. REST your body and mind regularly: Many days it doesn’t look like any progress is being made toward your vision. And if you’re not careful “dream fatigue” – stress – can set in when you are inordinately obsessed with trying to make it happen on your own (see Dangers of “Idol Dreams”). Periodically take time to relax, refresh, and renew. It’s a long journey. Remember huge skyscrapers are not built overnight, and neither are big visions.

Your vision is precious. Keeping the right kind of focus on it will allow you to achieve it in the right way with the right people at the right time.

Need help developing L.A.S.E.R. focus for your vision? Please join me at my Dream B.I.G. in 3D Live! Workshop on Saturday, April 17 in Marietta, GA. Click here to learn more.

What do you think about these points? How do you keep “laser focus” on your vision?

Sweet dreams,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Dare to dream again in 2010!

Register for the Dream B.I.G in 3D Live Workshop! on April 17, 2010… For more details please visit www.PaulWilsonJr.com

Where Are Your Fingerprints?

With the explosive popularity of forensic-police-drama TV shows like CSI and NCIS, the public is more familiar with fingerprint technology than they probably ever would have been. In those shows – with the exception of the murder weapon – fingerprints of the perpetrators are usually the very first thing that crime scene investigators look for.

Fingerprints are a nearly invisible impression that says, “I was here.” The person is gone, but they have left traces of themselves behind.

Figuratively speaking, fingerprints also symbolize your legacy – evidence that represents what you did and the impact you had while you were at someplace. This could include a company, relationship, church, community, or life in general.

So where have you left your fingerprints? What evidence did you leave behind to show that you were guilty of doing something great? Can a case be built to show that your life positively impacted others?

As you think about your “legacy-in-process”, here are some questions to ask yourself about the evidence of your impact:

• Will your current organization be better after you leave than before you arrived?
• Will you leave your current relationships better than when you arrived?
• How are you developing the people around you now to carry forth your vision?
• Whom have you led in the past that is now leading well?
• How are you equipping the people around you for their future success?
• What are you building that people will be benefitting from 10 or 20 years from now?

Everyday is an opportunity to build evidence that your life matters because of your positive influence and impact. It shouldn’t take a forensic scientist to have to figure that out. Don’t miss your opportunity to be found guilty of doing something great in someone else’s life!

Dream B.I.G.,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

Dare to dream again in 2010!… www.DreamBIGin3D.com

***Get $5 off my book… use code “DREAMBIG”

Thriving Pioneers of Change

“Super Thrive Week” Series

Whenever there are major cultural shifts in our society, there are always pioneering change agents who lead the charge. Athletes – some voluntarily and some involuntarily – have been at the forefront of the major changes in the United States when it comes to race relations. 

While it’s true that some of these athletes gravitated to more of an activist role as their fame increased, others were reluctantly pushed to the forefront because of their success in their field of play. In both cases their influence was initiated by the fact that they excelled at their specialty. This video chronicles some of the most influential athletes and major sports events over the past 75 years that have had an impact outside of sports.

 

more about “Jeremy Schaap: The Final Hurdle – ESPN“, posted with vodpod

 

Becoming a pioneer of change does not always require you to step outside of your area of expertise or circle of influence. Although you may not be an athlete, when you excel at what you do, you will often be given a platform to influence change. In your field of play – where you live, work, play, and worship – opportunities exist for you to make a difference with your talents, resources, and relationships.

The question for you is: Are you willing to be a pioneer to champion change even if you don’t see the end results or get to experience the benefits of your efforts?

Well, whether you want it or not, your opportunity might be right around the corner. Get ready. Become the expert at what you do. Don’t miss your chance to make a difference.

Thrive on Purpose,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Are you an OA?

Follow my conversations on twitter.com/pwilsonjr

New Blogging Opportunity

I am very excited to share with you that I have been invited to be a guest blogger by Kenny Pugh at Chat Kafe. My posts will be featured on his blog on a weekly basis.

My first post is entitled “Super Legacy.” I assessed the two teams in the Super Bowl this weekend and how both were  greatly influenced by the retired head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bill Cowher, who left 2 years ago. I focus on the importance of leaders thinking long-term and building your legacy now, starting where you are today.

Read it here: http://chatkafe.blogspot.com/2009/01/super-legacy-by-paul-wilson-jr.html

I look forward to your feedback.

Thrive on Purpose,
Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Are you an OA?

Follow my conversations on twitter.com/pwilsonjr

Conquering Giants: Thriving Leadership – Part 2

“Super Thrive Week” Series

Continued from Part 1…

Leaders pursue new opportunities and tackle problems in a similar manner to how coaches lead their teams. Both leaders and coaches focus on three critical coaching components: 1) personal preparation, 2) player development and 3) game management.

1. Personal Preparation: A leader can’t lead any of their players anywhere they have not already been – even if it’s only mentally. Leaders keep their eyes on the big picture, namely the intended outcome of each game (i.e. assignment or project) and their relevance to the entire season (i.e. fiscal period). They recognize that their players look to them for inspiration and direction, so they do whatever it takes behind the scenes to keep their competitive edge. They push themselves to maintain their level of expertise in their area of specialty, as well as gaining at least a minimal level of familiarity in other subjects.
2. Player Development: Leaders understand that the long-term success of the team will depend on the overall development of the players. They are able to effectively assess the developmental progress of each player and then determine what each player needs to help them grow to reach their potential. They also understand that each player motivates differently, so they are adept at knowing the right buttons to push for each one. Furthermore, leaders constantly look for teaching moments, whether it’s before, during, or after a project, event, situation, etc.
3. Game Management: Coaches don’t win games… players do. Leaders recognize that they need the contributions of all of their players in order for the organization to accomplish its goals. Leaders design the best strategies, systems, and processes that will position their players to manage and complete their assignments efficiently and effectively. They are keenly aware of various situations that may dictate certain decisions, such as reorganizing the players in the game, substituting a player, or changing the game plan.

Thriving leaders are able to effectively balance all three of these components. They are not hands-off delegators, that just let their players to do whatever they can to win, nor are they micro-managers who oversee “people-bots” who are afraid or unable to make heat-of-the-battle decisions. These leaders know when to be more engaged versus when to let their players figure out their own solutions to problems.

You can become an effective Leader if you: 1) Embrace the fact that just because you are a leader does not make you a superstar. Without your players, you will have minimal success; 2) Create environments that empower individual players while at the same time boosting the team as a whole; and 3) Learn your team well enough to know how to position them to win the game.

Coaching your team (or family) to success takes an unwavering commitment to the fact that every player matters. You may be able to accomplish a lot by your own efforts, but you’ll be able to accomplish so much more with the right team in place. I look forward to seeing your team win!

Thrive on Purpose

Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Conquering Giants: Thriving Leadership – Part 1

“Super Thrive Week” Series

Sports movies are one of the best sources of inspiration, especially when it comes to conquering challenges and overcoming seemingly impossible odds.  One of the best motivational scenes of any movie that I can recall was in the movie, Facing the Giants.

My favorite thing about this movie is how the coach realized that although his team wasn’t the most talented, he convinced team to look beyond their talent to see something that no one could take away from them – heart. He helped his players see beyond their perceived limitations and reach goals they would not have thought possible for themselves.

more about “Facing the Giants“, posted with vodpod

In life, thriving leaders are really like sports coaches. The best coaches are keenly aware of their team’s overall strengths, weaknesses, and potential. They are in tune with each player’s skill set, temperament, and how they can best contribute to the overall success of the team. These coaches are ambitious and confident not in their own ability to play the game, but in their ability to position their players to maximize their collective talent to win the game.

Continue to Part 2…

Thrive on Purpose

Paul Wilson, Jr.

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Are you an OA?

Follow my conversations on twitter.com/pwilsonjr