How to Make Vision Stick

Mount Everest?  The Moon?  Smuggle bibles?  Serve the poor?

It quite often only takes a small question to bridge the gap from having vision to casting vision.  All of these adventures started with a dreamer, who saw a need, opportunity or challenge and they decided to cast that vision to others.  I’m sure more detailed conversations followed but the underlying concept presented a problem/opportunity, a solution and a compelling reason to act and act now.

How about you?

What are you dreaming about for your ministry?

What are you passionately hoping to see developing with your young people?

When crafting and casting vision, to inspire, teach and lead people it is important to spend time thinking and planning about how to do it.

Here are 6 tips, adapted from Andy Stanley to help with that;

Make it Memorable

Be creative, help people remember it.  If people can’t remember it, they probably won’t achieve it.  Take time to craft it and make it stick.

Action – is your vision statement memorable?  Have a go at rearranging it to make sure it sticks.

State it Simply

If your vision is going to stick, then you must be able to state it in a moment.  You’re trying to create a simple idea that every team member has in mind as the guiding goal. 

Action – is it simple?  The many computers and circuit boards on a space rocket are incredibly complex.  The vision however was simple – let’s put men (and a monkey) in outer space.  Have a go at stating your vision in one sentence and make sure it sticks.

Cast it Convincingly

a.                    Define the problem / opportunity

b.                    Offer a solution

c.                     Explain why and why now

Action  – have you been casting that vision with all your heart?  If you’re passionate and committed it will overflow and cause a spark in others.  Try it in the mirror…are you convinced?  Work on it, make sure it sticks!

Repeat it regularly

Regardless of how often you think you’ve repeated your vision, it’s not enough.  Discover within the rhythm of your organisation the best time to cast vision and make sure you don’t miss those opportunities.

Action – in your context, let’s assume that’s as a youth leader.  Do you regularly repeat the vision?  In conversation, over coffee, in meetings, at the front of church, on facebook, in another meeting…everywhere you go, let people know.  Consider times and places you can share your vision, regularly to make sure it sticks!

Celebrate it Systematically

Vision is about the future.  There aren’t any photos or artwork available of it.  When someone embodies the vision, use that person’s example to snapshot the vision and values.

Action – As people grab a hold of the vision, it’s important to fuel it.  What’s celebrated, gets replicated and what’s replicated was celebrated.  Be on the look out for young people who live out the vision and celebrate it.  Say well done personally and if appropriate do it publicly, this will make sure it sticks!

Practice it personally (and publicly)

Embracing the vision personally and publicly gives you credibility.  If you’re not doing what you’re demanding, then your people won’t be motivated.  Vision has no autopilot.  It requires constant care and attention. 

Action – a challenge to finish.  If people could see how you invest your time and money, will they automatically be able to articulate your life vision?  If people copy your behaviour will you see your vision come to life?  Model it to make sure it sticks!

Sir Edmund Hillary, Neil Armstrong, Brother Andrew, Mother Teresa.  All of these visionaries saw an opportunity, they cast a compelling vision, they lived it, inspired others and achieved it.  Not one of them got where they weree by accident. 

Where is your youth ministry going?  What are you dreaming for it?  How can you inspire others?

Consider Jesus’ vision for us.  To make disciples of all nations.  A simple, inspiring vision statement – but what an inspiring one!  People might even give their lives for it! 

Over to you – spend some time crafting a vision statement so that you can help young people commit to a life lived every day for Jesus.