When I was around 13-14 years old I had a big dream. I wanted to become a programmer (that’s how software developers were called at that time). By the graduation from high school I had what I would now call a vision. 10 years later my vision became my day life. All this time I had one vision, but multiple strategies helping me to get there.
As a teenager I didn’t even have a computer at home. I new just a couple of people who had one. That was back in 1990s.
Unlike many other schools in the town ours had computer classes. That’s how I got introduced to programming. That is how I “fall in love” with the magical mixture of creativity and engineering when programming.
How did I make my dream come true?
My original strategy was to go to the university and learn how to program professionally. Pretty standard and straightforward. Right?
Well, it turned out that university courses were “slightly” behind modern (for that time) approaches and technologies used in the industry. Still, I believe that a couple of fundamental courses during first two years at university built a solid ground for my further growth. Then I felt like I’m on a plato.
That’s when I pivoted my strategy for the first time.
I started spending lots of time on self-education. Reading books, following examples in them, and broadening those examples to some extend.
At the same time I started to see my home computer as a limiting factor in my growth. At the time we couldn’t afford a new computer. So I had a 10-years old used computer.
I took a full-time summer job to replace it with a new powerful one. On my way to and from the job I was reading books. Evenings after the work I was spending at the computer applying what I’ve read.
Self-education led me to pivoting my strategy again.
This one was huge. By my forth year at university I had many classes which I could skip going to because I already new the material. I found a job allowing flexible hours. When needed I was attending classes at the university.
By the time I graduated my Master’s degree I already had two years of experience. This made it much easier to find a better paying, more interesting and challenging job.
Bottom line?
While vision remains the same, strategies may (and most likely will) change or evolve. Vision and strategy work together. Yet, vision comes first.
Vision is “What” and strategy is “How”
Vision begins with the heart. It begins as a dream.
What is good about dreaming is that it is limitless.
In childhood we dream a lot. We don’t bother with how that is possible. We’re imaging that it’s a reality.
While growing up we become more and more rational. We start limiting our ideas and desires by the knowledge we have. Eventually we dream only inside a box of our limiting believes.
We subconsciously put away dreams when it’s unclear how to make them true. It’s hard to say when and why this starts happening. It just happens for most people (which is so sad).
Child’s dream bypasses the question of how it is possible. Adult’s dream should do the same. Then a vision will as well.
Vision is an evolution of a dream. It is an actionable version of a dream.
Vision defines a destination.
Strategy is a path to fulfil your vision.
You’ll find a path or a path will find you. Don’t worry about strategy while defining your vision.
There are always multiple ways to achieve the result. There are always multiple strategies to pick from. And there are always strategies you don’t even know about yet.
Strategy is your route on the map. Vision is your destination on the map.
If you don’t have a clear vision, no strategy will save you.
The vision has to be yours
Everyone is different. Everyone has own dream life and vision.
While everyone is talking about becoming a digital nomad and moving to a sunny and cheap country, you may value living close to your parents or raising your children in your motherland’s culture.
While everyone is talking about starting a side hustle and becoming an entrepreneur, you may value stable job.
While everyone is talking about living off the grid, you may love living in a beehive of big city.
Make sure that your vision is what you want deep in your heart. Don’t just follow trends or social approved destinations.
Believing in your vision is the key
Make it your “religion”.
Read through vision every day. Think about it. Focus on your vision.
You have to have a lot of passion.
There will be ups and downs. It will be hard to achieve. It will take time.
You’ll have to work to fulfil your vision during sustainable period of time.
So if you don’t love it, if you’re not passionate about it, you are going to give up.
On the other hand if you believe in it, if you want it deep from the bottom of your heart, you are going to succeed.
Vision attracts the right strategy
When you ask yourself “How in the world am I going to accomplish this?” you may not have the answer right away.
That’s actually a good thing. This means that you dreamed outside of your limiting believes.
When you have a strategy upfront, your vision is already limited by the strategy.
Once you make your vision a focal point for your thoughts, you’ll start seeing more and more things related to your vision. They will be coming from different sources and in different forms. Same places, same information, and same people will open up to your from a completely different angle. And you will start seeing lots of new opportunities related to your vision.
Bit by bit you will see pieces around you which will build up the strategy.
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