There’s nothing quite like a compelling vision of the future to inspire and motivate. But by itself, it’s insufficient to make that future a reality. Because knowing where you want to go, and actually moving in that direction, are two different things.
You may want to lose weight, or learn the guitar, or increase sales, or improve your customer satisfaction scores. But simply having goals for the future won’t make them a reality. The end results will ultimately be decided by what you choose to do today.
Having a goal of greater customer satisfaction won’t make the customers happier. But going out of your way today to help one out is a step in the right direction. Merely having a goal of getting an A on the final exam won’t help you ace it. But putting in a couple hours of study today can get you closer to your goal.
Big visions and audacious goals may provide motivation, but it’s these practical, immediate steps that actually move you forward. Which means, if you have a goal you want to reach, the critical question to always be asking is, ‘And what’s my next step?’