A Visionary Peace of Mind

Art Basel is mostly full of artists courting high-end buyers. The spectacle for the general public will come later. I’m walking through galleries and showrooms on a daily basis. My guide is Alfred Steiner, an artist known for re-crafting iconic silhouettes through thoughtfully curated collages of a clear, hard-thought-out process. Marvin the Martian and Mickey Mouse are two of my favorites. As I take it all in, my mind turns to the idea of how brains rewire themselves through what we practice daily.

Do artists see things we do not? Have you ever wondered how a painter sees the world? Does a person capable of envisioning forms, shapes, flesh, and patterns see things we can’t? What can someone see when what they do is paint into the dead of night and craft sculptures while they are fighting sleep—do they have vision? Vision unlike ours?

The way different professionals and creatives perceive the world often reflects their unique disciplines, skills, and approaches to life. Artists tend to view the world through a lens of aesthetics, emotion, and sensory experiences. They are often attuned to visual details, colors, shapes, and the emotional impact of their surroundings. Their perspective is often imaginative, seeking to express thoughts and feelings through visual mediums.

Writers typically see the world in terms of narratives, language, and human experiences. They are storytellers. They are keen observers of human behavior, dialogue, and the subtleties of interaction. Their world is one of stories, characters, and underlying themes, often exploring the depth of human experience through carefully crafted sentences.

What about people with a knack for client service? These individuals often view the world from the perspective of needs, solutions, and relationships. They are adept at understanding clients' desires and expectations and how to meet them effectively. Their focus is on communication, problem-solving, and fostering positive experiences.

Can each of these be a visionary? And what are visionaries?

Having a vision refers to the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination and wisdom. It's about having a clear idea of what you want to achieve or where you want to go, often in a way that's innovative and forward-thinking. It can be applied to individuals, groups, businesses, and even nations.

Visionaries perceive the world as a realm of possibilities and potential. They are forward-thinking, often focusing on innovation, big-picture ideas, and transformative changes. Visionaries are not limited by the current state of affairs but are motivated by what could be achieved in the future. They’re all about those “transformative changes!”

So given that, let’s look at five things visionaries do well and do often from the perspective of each of these individuals and apply learnings from them to our needs.

1. Visionaries Learn to Set Clear Goals and Create Vision Blueprints.

• 🎨 The Artist: An artist might set goals around completing a series of paintings or mastering a new technique. They would typically visualize the end result and plan their steps towards achieving it.

  • Practice sketching or drafting quick studies daily to refine your vision and technique.

• ✍️ The Writer: A writer may set a goal to finish a novel or a series of articles. They would outline their narratives and structure their writing process.

  • Write a set number of words or pages each day to maintain momentum and clarity of thought. Even Post-Its will do. Just get it out there.

• 🍦 The Client Service Professional: Their goal could be to enhance customer satisfaction or streamline the service process. They would identify key areas for improvement and create actionable plans.

  • Regularly solicit and review feedback from trusted sources to refine and adjust your business approach.

2. Visionaries Train to Think Creatively and Craft Innovative Horizons

• 🎨 The Artist will often experiment with different mediums or styles to express their ideas in novel ways.

  • Allocate time each week to experiment with a new medium or technique.

• ✍️ The Writer will think creatively by exploring unique plot twists or character developments.

  • Engage in genre writing simply to stimulate the mind. What is it like to write in film noir style, use snappy dialog from the 40's, or take something perfectly mundane and normal and make it sci-fi?

• 🍦 The Client Service Professional may innovate by finding new ways to meet needs or improve user experiences.

  • Have regular brainstorming sessions with friends and colleagues to generate new service ideas.

3. Visionaries Make It A Point To Show Leadership and Be a Guiding Light

• 🎨 The Artist shows leadership by influencing trends or mentoring emerging artists.

  • Share artistic journeys and insights through social media or workshops. Share your knowledge.

• ✍️ The Writer leads by voicing opinions or ideas that shape public discourse.

  • Actively engage with your readers through blogs or social media to build a community. Express your true self.

• 🍦 The Client Service Professional leads by setting high standards for customer care and motivating their team.

  • Regularly recognize and celebrate your successes and the advances the team has made. Toot your own horn!

4. Visionaries Must Be Resilient to Maintain A Steadfast Spirit

• 🎨 The Artist faces critique and peer review. Resilience for them is continuing to create and evolve despite setbacks.

  • Reflect on feedback constructively and maintain a consistent creative routine.

• ✍️ The Writer often deals with writer's block or rejection. Resilience is key in continuing to write and submit work.

  • Set aside time for reading and research to stay inspired and overcome creative blocks.

• 🍦 The Client Service Professional encounters challenging clients or situations. Resilience is maintaining a positive attitude and seeking solutions.

  • Develop coping strategies for stress, like mindfulness or regular team debriefings.

5. Visionaries are Future-Focused and Forge Tomorrow's Blueprint

• 🎨 An artist might focus on disruptive trends while developing a long-term body of work. They find ways to break through their canvas.

  • Regularly research and study emerging art trends and techniques.

• ✍️ A writer might plan a series of works or focus on evolving writing styles to stay relevant. They evolve beyond what they are known for and seek innovative territory.

  • Keep abreast of literary trends and adapt writing to stay current or experiment with new styles.

• 🍦 A client service professional plans for future client needs and service innovations. They strive to be in the right place at the right time.

  • Stay informed about industry changes and anticipate future industry needs for clients and themselves.

When you set clear goals, think creatively, show leadership, demonstrate resilience, and remain future-focused, you're aligning your actions with your deepest values. Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, once said, “Leadership is hard to define, and good leadership even harder. But if you can get people to follow you to the ends of the earth, you are a great leader.”

Malcolm Gladwell tells us, "The visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper, and re-imagines the world." Visionaries stimulate the brain into thinking in novel ways, pushing beyond the boundaries of conventional thinking. This is not just about understanding different perspectives; it's about training the entrepreneurial mind to recognize patterns, embrace diversity of thought, and learn resilience.

We must build a mindset that sees opportunities where others see obstacles and that values the journey as much as the destination. This alignment not only fosters personal growth and satisfaction but also becomes a magnet for attracting others—be they customers, readers, or clients—who share or are inspired by those beliefs.

In a world that's rapidly changing and increasingly complex, these skills are not just valuable; they're essential for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact. It's a cognitive workout that flexes the muscles of innovation and problem-solving, which are core to entrepreneurial success.

If you’re interested in collaborating with us in the future, follow us and reach out. We’re always looking for ideas to cover and paths to explore.

Thanks for helping us grow theDiversityPost, Alicia, Raffa & Tomás.

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