I was watching a great presentation from 2005, by comic guru Scott McCloud, when it struck me that he stumbled upon the secret to winning in business during a recession. In summing up his 3 different types of "vision " (about 6:40 in), he reveals the four basic principles of, "having vision of something that may be, but is yet unproven".
Here they are, with my thoughts on how they relate to our present reality.
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"Learn from everyone"
In this time of increased unemployment and reliance on networks and knowledge development to set you apart as an individual or business, principle one clearly rings true.
What can we learn from our friends and family about how they are evolving with the economy?
What can we learn from the changing psychology of consumerism and benevolence?
How about lessons from our mechanics and health care workers?
Everyone is being affected.
Some of us our adapting quickly, while others are left asking, "what now"?
Who are you learning from?
"Follow no one"
Following is what got us into this mess.
Following the advice of a mortgage broker who helped you get a loan you couldn't afford.
Carelessly allowing others to manage our 401k's without close oversight and diversification.
Following our government "leaders".
Following our public school administrators who set the curriculum's.
Innovation and risk taking will lead us out of the recession.
You can't follow the herd.
Risk taking will emancipate you from the status-quo, reveal a vision for the future, and help you chase it with reckless abandon.
Some will fail, but all will learn.
With each failure we get closer to realizing our dreams and obtaining the knowledge that will get us there.
"Watch for patterns"
While learning and leading, patterns will be revealed.
How the artist is solving the problem of little money for their materials.
What opinion leaders are doing to move and engage the crowd.
How the world is evolving communications over the web.
These patterns will reveal the next great business opportunity. Whether you sell books or help people work through their mental anxiety; patterns of thought, action and innovation will spark creativity and solutions for offerings that can't be ignored.
Watch for patterns and brainstorm as if your life depends on it.
It does.
"Work like hell"
If you have a job, get 2. Hell, get 4.
Don't spread yourself too thin, but you should be "working" on more than just your day job. No one knows what tomorrow brings.
The ax is coming down hard, in many unexpected places. If you don't have something else already instigated, you'll be left at ground zero, wondering what the hell to do next.
Now is the best time to start planning for your home business.
Now is the best time to help your neighborhood watch program.
Now is the best time to lead a group of folks just like yourself.
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Who are you learning from?
Who are you leading?
What patterns are you seeing?
What are you working on???
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