Four Pillars of Success Series – VISION

In our book, The Parents’ Guide to Raising CEO Kids, we discuss Four Pillars of Success. Today I want to share a bit about the first one which is Vision.

CEO Kids have a sense of Vision. Vision is more than what you can see with your physical eyes. It has to do with what is envisioned or created inside the mind. Envisioning refers to knowing who you are, what you can achieve, and what is possible. It’s seeing within your “minds-eye” what your purpose is, as well as putting mind pictures and emotions to dreams and goals.

Envisioning often evokes all of the senses, making dreams and goals believable to the person who owns them. Having vision opens up the doors of possibility and fuels action toward goals and dreams. Individuals who have vision find that experiences and resources are provided only when they can clearly see in their mind the end result. Dr. Wayne Dyer’s research in The Power of Intention indicates that knowing who you are and what you want to do is a source so powerful that it gives a person a way of changing the world around them.

When kids are aligned with their vision it is like “coming home” for them. They feel safe, secure, and confident in the world, and they have the courage to move forward to reach their dreams. For some CEO Kids, this feels like it was a destiny-moment, knowing that what they are doing is what they have always wanted to do and what they have wanted to become. Parents of some CEO Kids indicate that their child was always a certain way, always wanting to make a particular difference in the world, or always wanting to become a business mogul, philanthropist, or radio host. This is the case when they discover their vision early in life. Others struggle for that vision and the perfect fit for their life. They gradually come to learn what is possible in their business and gain a sense of understanding and confidence for what they are capable of personally.

Trying to start a business without a vision for the business or without your child having a sense of vision for his or her self is really a setup for failure. Vision is not only the spark for the business and for personal goals and dreams, but it is also what gives the child a sense of motivation for continuing when things get difficult. Vision serves as the first ingredient for helping your child enjoy their work despite times of long hours, challenging circumstances, and people who discourage them from following their dreams.

Vision is a tricky thing to teach or give to your CEO Kid, and that may be one reason most children do not become CEO Kids. Parents can serve as important catalysts for vision as well as a role model of someone who possesses strong personal and business vision. However, in reality, vision cannot be directly transferred from parent to child. It’s much like giving your child your own pair of glasses and asking them, “Okay, see better now?” Despite sharing genetics and a home, our children have their own interests and dislikes. Trying to force our vision for life or business on them is much like telling them to “see more clearly” by wearing our personal glasses. Being accepting of their vision, supportive of it, while keeping them grounded are parenting traits that generate successful children.

To learn more about VISION as one of the Four Pillars of Success, read The Parents’ Guide to Raising CEO Kids. This excerpt can be found on page 15.