Yes on 2
[This is part 2 of 4 in a series about a questionnaire I recently answered.]
Not that long ago, if you’d asked me what I wanted out of life, I probably would have answered, “I don’t know,” silently hoping you’d quit it with the questions. If you’d kept pressing, I might have offered, “I just go with the flow.” I may have included a “man” at the end of that sentence.
Just go with the flow.
It sounds peaceful, doesn’t it? Easy. Like you’re in harmony with the world—letting life guide you where it may. It almost feels like ancient wisdom, a nod to Lao Tzu’s sage advice to be like water, or Marcus Aurelius’ counsel to not focus on things out of our control.
I do strive for peace and harmony. Calmness. But often, this mellow-sounding mantra masks something else: the fear of making a choice. It’s a defense against having to say, This is what I want. It can be an excuse to avoid taking accountability for our lives, and, in this case, for our work.
That’s why the second question of Shelley’s questionnaire hit me harder than I expected:
What is your vision for your company?
There’s no sidestepping this one. It’s not about what you think you should do, or what other people think you should do, or even what you think other people think you should do. It’s direct: What’s your vision? What do you want?
I’ve got a big dream. It’s scary to say it out loud. It’s hard enough to admit what you want to yourself—harder still to put it out into the world.
Who am I to dream so big? What if I fall short?
One way to avoid these questions is to just go with the flow, man.
Don’t make a choice. Don’t take accountability. Don’t put yourself on the hook.
I think I’m done with that. I hope so. Here’s my answer to Question 2:
What is your vision for your company’s future?
My vision is to create awe-inspiring, timeless works of stone that blend art and nature, transforming landscapes into living, breathing works of art. While I still enjoy building dry-laid stone walls and other residential projects, my dream is to create site-specific installations that resonate with both the environment and the people who experience them. I want to be recognized as an artist, not just a tradesman.
So, what about you?
What's your vision? For your business, project, hobby—for your life?