A Lesson From History: How Big is Your Vision?
The best advice I have ever been given about pretty much everything has come from multiple sources, all using different words, but the essence has remained the same.
Begin with the end in mind.
As kids, we worked on maze puzzles. Did you ever start at the end? It wasn't cheating. It was smart! Imagine planning a trip and having to pack without knowing where you are going. We need to start any endeavor knowing how we want it to finish. It's about intention. It's about strategy.
We all love stories. It's true. And speaking of endings, we love stories with a happy ending.
We also love stories that have some angst in them. That demonstrates life. We want them to entertain us, inspire us, and yes, we invite them to change us.
When Daniel Burnham first came up with the idea for building what would become Washington's Grand Terminal, he had a tremendous vision for it.
But there was a problem. Where Mr. Burnham wanted to build the Grand Terminal was a swamp. It took four million cubic yards of fill dirt to get a foundation in place before anyone could lay a single brick.
Can you imagine what kind of vision and commitment it took to make that happen? Why not build it somewhere else? Because that wasn't the vision.
It then took five years and cost $25M to finish building it. And that was many decades ago. But build it they did, just as he envisioned.
If you've never visited Washington's Grand Terminal, it may be hard to imagine the scope of this, but it is breathtaking.
One of the quotes attributed to that visionary that started it all is, "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood." From a swamp to a center of travel and commerce that would one day serve over 32 million people every year.
Can you imagine all the life stories that have had their genesis at that place? How many memorable moments were born there?
Over the years, it has been more than a landmark. It has continued to be a testament to what happens when your vision is big enough to stir our blood.
You might ask what this has to do with our lives. I believe it has everything to do with how we see things. Using it as a metaphor for our lives: Do we see a swamp? Or a structure that will serve millions?
How big is our vision? Because that's how big our life will be. If we're determined to serve, we will serve. We will do what it takes to create the right foundation and build a life that performs at the highest levels, not only now but 100 years from now.
What are you about to begin? Can you see the finish line in your mind? To end there, start there. The best advice I've ever received is now my advice to you. Pass it on.
