Being A Visionary

Tonight I’m listening to one of my most favorite things. It’s the soundtrack to a show I was so blessed to be a part of. It was a dream come true. As I listen to all the nuances in the music, the voices of people who became cherished friends, I close my eyes and am instantly transported to one of the greatest experiences of my lifetime. Music inspires dreams, plans, thoughts, feelings, emotions…it can make your mind run the gamut.

As I listen, I’m thinking about the team I was privileged to work with. A bunch of passionate, creative, inspiring crazies. And I love every one of them, each special to me for drastically different reasons. We didn’t always get along or agree. No, there were some very heated debates on various things from fabric to spray paint. Choreography, songs, set and costume design, lighting, props. In the beginning, almost 2 years before anything actually began, there was only one person that understood my vision for that show. It was THE SHOW. There was only one way that it could be done. It had to be utter perfection. As we talked and planned, our team came together. We explained what we could only see in our minds. We painted the vision, we drew them into story and then we all got to work. And there was more than enough to go around. We needed people, funding, items to build, material for building, costumes, paint. The list seemed to be never-ending in the beginning. Our team was exhausted early on, but every single one of them pushed on. We were in pursuit of the grand vision, each piece lovingly and passionately worked. In times of stress, we once again shared that vision, showed people their part in it. We trusted the process. And, most importantly, we trusted our team.

Vision is crucial in anything you do. You need to be able to describe what your mind’s eye can see so vividly that it feels as though you could reach out and touch it. When you are able to connect with someone through heart and emotion, they join you, they support you. Any work you do should be a passion project. Just the thought of it should light your soul on fire. If it doesn’t, why bother wasting your time? Life is far too short to spend the best hours of your best days doing something you don’t adore with all you are. What vision do you have for yourself?

I believe that there isn’t anything one inspired and enlightened person can’t do. But why do it alone? I mean, not only is it impossible, it seems senseless. Anything worth doing is worth doing with at least one other person. Oh, for the record, you plus one equals a team. Think of your accomplishments, your milestones. When you examine the details, was it ever you all alone? Sure there are things that you have to do, but the beauty in all of it is when it comes together as the result of inspired and empowered people working together. It’s magnificent. A relationship, marriage, project. Team work will always make the dream work.

Leadership requires you to go first. You have to pave the way, show others what’s possible. It can be lonely those first few miles for sure. Some people may laugh at you (yep been there), tell you you’re crazy (story of my life) or that it can’t be done (CONSTANTLY). But what do they know? They’re simply showing you where their limitations exist. And for the record, if the source of these opinions hasn’t made any earth shattering break throughs lately, should their judgmental BS even matter? There is so much room on the extra mile because most don’t even bother with it. But let me tell you how beautiful it is. Surround yourself with the dreamers and believers. The doers will find you. And then get your ass to work.

The first time we hit the big stage, my heart skipped a beat when I saw the set all together under the right lighting. It was soft and moody with just a hint of mystery. Standing by the sound booth, waiting for my turn to enter, I had tears in my eyes that threatened to spill over and melt my make-up. It was exactly as I had imagined it would be and I couldn’t believe that it was finally time to share my love of this story with the world. My cue came and off I went, nervous with excitement. That hour and twenty minutes flew by, but I made sure to experience it all. It was so incredible. At the end as I clapped for the team, my soul was overflowing with gratitude. We had done it. I cried and hugged everyone, congratulating all on a spectacular job. And then we did it 13 more times, all as fabulous as the first. I have to admit that our evening hometown show was the best one. THAT one was THE ONE. The audience reacted exactly as we had hoped at each part, silent where they should be, laughing and cheering where we had anticipated. I connected with that audience on an emotional level. They got it. They were our family, friends and fans. They knew the sacrifices that each of us had made and when they got to experience our love, vision and dedication, they finally saw the result we had all been working so hard for. The only way to describe that particular evening is magical, my heart was singing. It was on a whole different level. Someday I’ll be able to find the words to be able to accurately share it with you, but for now, this is my best.

I hope some day I get to work with that team again. They are incredible people, brimming with hope and possibility. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat and each of them understands why. Teams are vital to any success and there is no way we would have had this experience without these exact people. Share the vision and the team will come. I promise.

Spend some time each day developing your vision. Ask yourself where you want to be and what you want to be doing a year from now or even 5 years from now. Write down the details and from there, create the picture in your mind. See the details in the smallest things. The clearer your picture, the better the chance (I believe) you have of making it a reality. I truly believe this is one of the most important traits you can work to polish because if you don’t have a vision for yourself, how are you going to know if you’re going in the right direction?