…my temporary assignment.

To a great extent, leadership is centered on vision. 

An ability to imagine, articulate and then transmit an image so powerful, that the “big picture” once only dreamed, eventually gets painted. Becoming reality. 

“Big pictures” that are painted in such a way that everyone can readily “see” the desired reality. A vision conveyed in such a compelling manner that others will want to urgently, and fully, invest themselves in it. 

Not solely in commitment. But by allocating their own precious, personal resources to make that image their reality as well. Becoming as one with that vision. 

Effective and compelling leadership will make others “see” themselves within that work of art as an integral and meaningful part of a much larger work in progress. Conveying the opportunity to add their own strokes, whether broad or fine, enhancing the overall significance of the masterpiece. 

Leadership that can first “see” and then articulate the big picture casts a deep and lasting impression. 

Leadership of this stature will change perceptions, remove obstacles and overcome inertia. 

Leadership of this magnitude creates opportunity, a mode of meaningful and lasting contribution, fair return on personal investment and a chance for all to help paint that big picture. 

It is all powerful. 

Now isn’t that what leading with vision is all about?

“Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient.”

― Steve Maraboli

A profound observation if there ever was one.  

In a sense, the daily test we take is two fold.  

The one we make out of our own volition that becomes intermeshed with the one presented from above.  How we respond to ours, His  or hopefully – both – is what lays the foundation for the next day and all those that follow. 

Choice is key. 

The test solicits a response – via choice – which then produces an outcome. One that might be understood at the moment.  Or one that requires other similar choices and outcomes that merge to create something much, much larger.  

We can enjoin this daily challenge to help overcome our failings, making oneself stronger. Even as we discern and learn to accept the true meaning of the other, making oneself that much more resilient. Not meant to be misunderstood and taken as complex.  Just that these tests require patience, openness and faith. 

The combined strength and resilience that follows will lighten the daily load.   Making the day to day less daunting and what is yet to come a bit less formidable.  For in time we can handle more. Just have to grow into it and learn to embrace it.  

Each challenge that we seek to overcome – when guided by  this sense of enthusiasm and faith – works to reduce the perceived mass of the load.  An opportunity to enhance the strength and resilience that is born of each and every test. And is ultimately always carried forward.

Thereby not just making one’s life “easier”. 

But rather, a life one can choose to fully embrace. 

Finishing is one of the most visible attributes you have. An ability that can be quickly discerned by most from the outside looking in. 

But to get there, you need to take matters into your own hands, from within. The inside out. You see, finishing is all about what you make happen on the inside first. It starts with taking stock of yourself. 

Honestly identifying what you do abundantly well – and – what begs out for work. For it makes no sense to focus only on what you have mastered at the expense of everything else. To do so, will leave you unbalanced. With excess, unused capacity. Unfinished. 

So turn your attention towards the areas that need work. That beckon for help. Examining the ones that have never seemed to flourish. Maximizing their capacity is the key to achievement and success. 

So make yourself a promise.   Take an oath. That you will commit yourself to living up to all of your highest intentions – in all areas. That through sustained and unrelenting action you will come to personify your intentions. 

Through that level of commitment, you will be able to find that ability to finish. For once you finish all the things that are already started from within, then, everything you start from without will begin to fall into place. 

Finishing will then become your second nature. 

And you can then maximize your capacity.

“…The human Will, that force unseen, The offspring of a deathless Soul, Can hew a way to any goal, Though walls of granite intervene.” 

James Allen 

You will be what it is that you will to be. Though walls of granite intervene.

Thoughts lead to choices, which in turn are all consummated by your actions. All of which create a pattern and the path for your life. 

What you will to be. Though walls of granite intervene.

So you can will yourself to “Ok”. 

“Average.” 

Find a way to get comfortable with mediocrity. To just get by. And then convince your self-inflicted wounded spirit with a fib. That it just wasn’t in the cards. That things somehow did not work out for you. 

As if “things” even owe you something. 

Or, you can will yourself to become something else. 

Extraordinary. 

Testing the limits of your potential. Maximizing your capacity. Happening to things. And just living full-out. A force of will yet unseen. 

Being all that you will to be.  

Hewing a way to any goal. 

“Though walls of granite intervene.”

“The miracle, or the power, that elevates the few is to be found in their industry, application, and perseverance under the prompting of a brave, determined spirit.”

Mark Twain 

That is, actively enduring the process of fully living within a commitment. 

Enduring.

An active and trusting pursuit  of  something that is true, necessary and ultimately – permanent. Enduring is and can never be spur of the moment.  Enduring is making a complete, all in  investment without any guarantee of the outcome.    

This takes industry in that you need to work at things. Always and in all ways. Not just with your limbs – but with your mind, your spirit and your soul. It takes application in that you need to use, employ and share  the gifts you have been given to the fullest extent. Not in fits and starts – but again – always and in all ways. 

As Mr. Twain asserts, it takes a brave and determined spirit to venture forth in this manner. It is never for the faint of heart. There can be no timidity when it comes to perseverance and seeing all things through. For that is when things evolve to  become endurance. 

You may consider it a miracle when the destination is finally within sight and your  grasp. 

But it was always that you that had the power to get there, all along.  

Endurance seems to be matched to the physical side of things, centered to what is within your core.  From a strength perspective. 

And yet,  endurance  is truly all about what you possess from within that enables you to elevate yourself. 

And become all you were meant to be.