In a recent 2020 planning session with an entrepreneur I partner with, we met with different leaders from across five different countries and three continents. The cultural differences were vast and apparent — on the video conference call, we had individuals who's local time was 1 a.m. and others 9 a.m.
As we were working to align everyone's mission and focus, this facilitator of our session drove home the point that was poignant for everyone: "I challenge you to design your future." I wonder if there is a better challenge for all of us as entrepreneurs and leaders. Should we all not take up the task to design our future?
I have found there are great lessons we can take from the definitions of words, and the word "design" is no different. The word originally came from the Latin term "designare" meaning to mark out. Design, a verb, can be defined today as to shape, to make, or to contrive, to plot or to intend.
Coupling those definitions with our original statement from the rousing entrepreneur, our collective challenge is to shape, plan and make our future with intention.
Taking the concept of design further, there are lessons that can help us as entrepreneurs and leaders design our future:
1. The Sculptor’s Vision
Michelangelo, the great sculptor and painter, is attributed to famously saying: "Every block of stone has a statue inside it, and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it," and, "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free."
As you are designing your future, you have to start with a clear vision of what you want to achieve. Too many times entrepreneurs and leaders begin without a vision, or lower-level managers start a new project without a vision for what the desired outcome is in the end.
Key Tip: Establish your vision of what you want to see in the end and create a cadence where you bring it up consistently — sometimes every day if it is important enough. You and your team won't lose track of your vision if you are bringing it up on a regular basis.
2. The Writer's Persistence
Author Stephen King, famous for his over 60 books spanning the past several decades, has been asked many times how he produces so much so often. His focus? His daily routine, outlined in his memoir On Writing, consists of a goal to write ten pages, or 2,000 words, a day.
Key Tip: Build a routine when it comes to designing your future that requires you to do something every single day that contributes toward your ultimate goal. This might include writing something every day, posting something daily, making 25 phone calls daily, or more. Consistency is key. Without a doubt, as you persist, stress and frustration will arise. When that happens, plan for it. I suggest when dealing with stress to stay persistent, create routines and mediate to push through.
3. The Architect's Execution
As a 20+ year sales executive and coach, my role with many organizations is to help facilitate creative ideas that stimulate product development and accelerate growth. With that, one needs to surround themselves with a group of individuals and teammates who can execute on ideas and ensure projects are taken to completion.
Safi Bahcall calls this the balance between "soldiers" and "artists” in his book Loonshots. He encourages the "artists" to understand their concept of risk as a good thing, and to be given the freedom to create "whacky ideas" that build the company's future. It is also important for a company to have "soldiers" who understand their concept of risk as a bad thing, and to be given the freedom to implement ideas in the best way to keep the company thriving.
Key Tip: When designing your future, whether for yourself or for your company, don't discourage ideas — create execution plans with the resources around you howbeit with other people or with tools, or both.
The key here as a leader and entrepreneur is to be the designer of your future. It's a challenge — don't forget it. These tips — having the sculptor's vision, enabling the writer's persistence and establishing the architect's execution — will drive your ability to build, grow and create the future you want.
