Turn back the hands of time

the hit song, “Turn Back the Hands of Time” in which he describes

his yearning for a lost love.

without you

thinking about you

start all over

four leaf clover

last thing on my mind

of time.”

financial hands of time, what would you do differently? Would

you…

more carefully?

short term financial crisis?

over the years?

your children?

aging parents and your family?

skills?

advisors?

retirement?

review them annually?

of “turning back the financial hands of time,” because the

historical hands of time are tied and that story is forever written

in our past. However, our present and future is in our hands

today.

“font-size: 14pt”>What is your vision?

family five, ten, twenty or forty years from now? How old will you

be? How old will your spouse and children be? What will you be

doing? Who will you have worked for? Where will you be living? What

will your lifestyle be like? What will you have

accomplished? 

dreaming big dreams. Dreaming big dreams is not day dreaming, but

it is first understanding your values. What things are important to

you? When your values are clear, your decisions are easily made.

The opposite is also true, when your values are not clear, making

good decisions is extremely difficult.

vision of success. This is a mental picture of your mission and

purpose being fulfilled. Professionally you might vision yourself

as leading a team of researchers, or managing a large operation or

running your own business. Along with this professional vision will

be your vision of your family in the future, your relationships and

your spiritual growth. 

smart

illusion. Achieving a vision begins with “planning smart.” The

first step is to create big goals that are specific, measureable,

achievable and time-bound. The next step is to develop action plans

to meet your goals. Goals need to be reviewed daily to make sure

you are staying on track and measuring your progress.

accomplishing your vision. Unfortunately many people start working

away at something, without doing the upfront planning. If you fail

to plan, then you have planned to fail. You might end up climbing

the proverbial ladder of success and find out it is leaning against

the wrong wall. “Just do it” means working hard and passionately to

achieve your vision of success. It also includes having feedback

mechanisms, such as mentors, coaches, colleagues, family members

and advisors. Along the way you may have to adjust your plan as

opportunities present themselves as long as they fit into your

long-term vision.

is in your hands

and the young prince. The prince, with his hands behind his back,

said to the wise man. “I have a bird in my hands—is it alive or

dead?” The wise man thought and then said, “if I say it is alive

you will crush it. If I say it is dead, you will let it live. The

answer to your question is in your hands.” And so to the answer to

your future and success is in your hands today. Begin by dreaming

big dreams, planning smart and like Nike, just do it!

© Michael G. Shinn 2009.