Yes, there is a difference between Vision and Mission. Sadly enough, most organizations do not know the difference, and end up creating unnecessary confusion within their organization – resulting in stunned forward momentum. In a nutshell…
Vision is
- Future Oriented
- The bigger picture
- The aspiration
- How you envision the world
- The results
- The purpose
- The Why
Mission is
- The process of achieving the Vision
- Now oriented
- The action & activity
- The methods, systems, approaches
- The How
When the Vision is not reached, it is not the Vision that needs changing, but the Mission – the methods of attaining the Vision.
Procter & Gamble, IBM, General Electric, General Motors, United Technologies Corp, FedEx, Hyatt, Burger King, IHOP, The Jim Henson Company, CNN, MTV, HP, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Yellow Book USA – Just a few of the companies started during recessions, depressions, economic slumps, and difficult times.
It’s not tough times or desperate measures that lead to innovative, ground breaking ideas and new ventures. It is the drastic change of external circumstances that force the mind to break out of routines. The mind naturally defaults to the easiest and safest way of thinking. It is the disruption of these typical thinking patterns that force the mind to think differently.
Break the mind out of routine:
Travel a different route to the office this week
Use a different mug for your coffee/tea. And, brew something new
Read a blog on a topic you’ve never explored
Follow people on Twitter that are outside your industry and interests
Switch up your morning routine
Start shopping at the opposite end of the grocery store
Just Think, and New Ideas Will Flow (if you change the way you think)
