Guido the plumber and Michelangelo obtained their marble from the same quarry, but what each saw in the marble made the difference between a nobleman’s sink and a brilliant sculpture. – Bob Kall

How’s your vision? Can you see angels in stone? Or would you be lucky to end up with a sink?

The reason I ask is because I work with small business owners all the time, and they (we) are one stressed-out bunch. We tend to be so busy trying to cross the various minutia off our to-do lists, we rarely have a chance to look beyond the end of the week. It’s like entrepreneurial whack-a-mole.

And yet, having a clear end in mind — one that inspires you — is as crucial to your success as it was to Michelangelo’s. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a sink, instead of a sculpture.

Because if you can’t imagine your business at its best, how can you expect to arrive at excellence?

Your Business At Its Best

Quite a concept, huh? It’s one worth pondering, that’s for sure. But, how?

First, you’re going to want to get out of your office. You’re so busy implementing all the time in your office (or wherever it is you do the majority of your busy work), you need fresh surroundings to look with fresh eyes.

It’s also a matter of perspective, as Leonardo Da Vinci says:

Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer since to remain constantly at work will cause you to lose power of judgment. Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller, and more of it can be taken in at a glance, and a lack of harmony or portion is more readily seen.

So the first thing you have to do is get away a little. And really, a little can do wonders — you don’t have to go to ClubMed just to get a little perspective (but hey, don’t let me stop you). Instead, do as I do: get thee to a cafe.

Spending time in a cafe gives you a chance to decompress, disconnect from the internet (leave your laptop at home for this one, or at least in the car), and look at your business from a safe distance.

Now, For The Inspiring Part

Once you’re in a vision-conducive environment, take time to dream a little. Imagine your business, all grown up. Where has it gone? What is it accomplishing? Who is it serving? With what packs does it run?

Once you’ve spent time dreaming a bit, take out some paper (I love unlined paper for this, so my hand is free to draw) and put your thoughts into words, images, and ideals. Be bold. Spare no thought. Let it all hang out.

Jim Collins, of the ineffably delicious “Good to Great”, says that a vision should be, “Inspiring, enduring, expansive, selective, and authentic.” How does yours measure up to the litmus test of some of the great companies of our age?

And, the clearer the vision of your business’ future can be in your mind, the more you’ll be able to communicate it to others, make plans to reach it, and attract those inspiring results through Divine resonance.

So, what did you see in your business’ future? Angels, or sinks?