6 Steps to a Great Vision, The Safest Exercises, Advice from a Tree
Business
How to Build a Great Vision Statement
Getting a group of talented, strong-willed leaders to agree on anything can be a challenge. Getting them to agree on what they are going to chase for the foreseeable future of their business life is near impossible, but it is doable. And, as we discussed previously, completely worth the effort.
A compelling vision for the future is the greatest tool a leader can use to align an organization’s capabilities. Alignment and focus are the keys to success for any organization.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Gather your executives and key (A+) staff.
- Ask them to write an article about your company written X years in the future. Pick the time frame that works for your organization. The time frame will vary from firm to firm based on your stage of development and your industry. Pick something between five and 20 years.
- Put the key thoughts (snippets) from each article on the wall. Pair similar ideas and have the team vote on the most inspiring snippets.
- Have a gifted writer on your team turn those snippets into a final vision statement. Do not try to wordsmith your vision in a large group. Use the vision tests below to see if you have the makings of a great vision.
- Test the vision with your team for alignment. Ensure everyone can honestly support the vision.
- Start creating the backward plan to accomplish your compelling vision!
Vision Tests
- Is it inspiring, exciting and engaging?
- Does it fit with your Core Purpose and Core Values?
- Is it clear, compelling and easy to grasp?
- Will you be able to tell when you have achieved it?
- Is it a stretch goal (50-70% chance)?
- Will accomplishing this goal require a dramatic leap in the capabilities of your organization?
Health
What Are the Safest Exercises?
Now that I am 45, this topic has become very important to me. Even more so after I tweaked my shoulder six months ago doing the wrong kind of exercise. What kind of exercise is the “wrong” kind? Well, there are no real wrong kinds of exercise but some are much safer than others.
The safer kind are called Closed Chain exercises. Why? The chain refers to your kinetic chain which comprises all of your bones and muscles. Closed means that your hands or feet are in a constant or fixed position throughout the exercise (think squats, pull-ups and push-ups). Open Chain exercises are when your hand or foot is free to move throughout the exercise (think chest press, curl and leg extensions).
Why fitness professionals and physical therapists agree that closed chain exercises are better for you? Here are a few of their reasons:
- Safer for Your Joints – Especially your knees. Squats and lunges create compressive force that helps stabilize the joint and strengthen it. Exercises like knee extensions and hamstring curls produce shear force which stresses the knee joint and is more likely to cause injury.
- Multiple Muscle Groups – Exercises like pull-ups, push-ups and squats require you to use multiple muscle groups to stabilize your body as you do the exercise. This gives you more exercise in less time while strengthening your stabilizing muscles.
- Mimic Life – Movement in sports and life requires the use of multiple muscle groups. Open chain exercises cannot provide that kind of a workout.
Life, Fun, Whatever
Advice from a Tree
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