Creating What’s “Just Right”

A strong characteristic among peak performers is that they can envision accomplishments beyond their immediate frame of reference.

Charles Garfield

I’ve Been Thinking . . . what would the ideal future look like?

The ability to see beyond the current and imagine what an ideal end result would be isn’t reserved for futurists. Rather, common people with an extraordinary passion to create the ‘Just Right’ future are eligible for participation.

Vision seems to be an elusive yet important life principle. Your vision describes the ideal future for you to attain. It provides meaning and direction while forcing you to break through present limitations. Holding a clear picture in your mind of the desired future will mobilize your creative efforts and generate the desire and energy to perform.

As a young boy, I was fascinated by fairy tales. One of my favorites was Goldilocks and the Three Bears. You remember the story line. The three bears lived in a small suburb on the city’s outskirts. On one bright sunny morning, the bear family journeyed into the city to do a little shopping at the mall. (O.K., I admit it…the story changed slightly to keep up with the times.)

While away, a young girl named Goldilocks rode up to the bear’s suburban home on her ten speed bike. She peeked through each paned glass window and rang the chiming door bell. Unable to arouse anyone’s attention, Goldilocks easily entered through the back door and into the family’s kitchen.

Noticing three bowls neatly set at the country style table, Goldilocks tasted the contents of the first bowl. It was far too hot! The cereal in the second bowl was too cold! However, the third bowl’s cereal was JUST RIGHT. Goldilocks devoured the contents.

Making her way to the living room, Goldilocks noticed three beautifully stuffed chairs. Testing the largest overstuffed chair, Goldilocks didn’t feel comfortable. The medium sized wing-backed chair was not much better. However, the smaller chair was JUST RIGHT…until it collapsed. Frightened by the sound of snapping pine, Goldilocks quickly ran up the stairs.

The upstairs was one large bedroom, containing three neatly made beds in varying sizes. Goldilocks stretched her small frame on the largest bed. It was far too hard to suit her liking. The medium sized bed was cushiony soft but sagged in the middle. The third and smallest bed provided adequate support, was the perfect size, and the bedspread colors matched Goldilock’s sundress. In fact, this bed was JUST RIGHT. And Goldilock’s fell fast asleep.

Visionary people, like Goldilocks are willing to experiment to find out what’s “just right.” They are committed to break through the status quo, create a new way of life and live on the cutting edge of fresh and exciting prospects. Visionaries, unlike Goldilocks, refuse to become so comfortable they fall asleep and get trapped by their contentment.

Robert Collier suggested we should; “See things as you would have them be instead of as they are.” That single effort requires a special focus and refined ‘vision.’

Charles Swindoll, in Living Beyond Mediocrity, writes “I have in mind the ability to see above and beyond the majority. I am reminded of the eagle, which has eight times as many visual cells per cubic centimeter than does a human. This translates into rather astounding abilities. For example, flying at 600 feet elevation, an eagle can spot an object the size of a dime moving through six-inch grass. The same creature can see three-inch fish jumping in a lake five miles away. Eagle-like people can envision what most would miss. Visionary people see beyond the hum-drum of everyday activities into future possibilities.”

What is your vision of the future? What have you envisioned to be JUST RIGHT for you? How do you plan to make next year different from the past or for that matter, how will you be better tomorrow than you are today?

I like the story of the little girl who was drawing with her new set of 64 Crayola Crayons. Her mother asked what the picture was about and the little girl quickly answered, “I’m drawing God.” The mother, questioning her daughter’s artistic direction, responded with, “But honey, nobody knows what God looks like.” The child continued drawing and then said confidently, “They’ll know when I’m finished.

People with vision already know what the JUST RIGHT outcome will be even if no one has ever seen it before.

Remember the words of James Allen: Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.

“The world will step aside for the man (or woman) who knows where he wants to go.”

Henry David Thoreau