Very Cool Microsoft Surface

Vision + Mission = Change The World

While watching a documentary about the life of the great Michael Jackson, I was struck by something one of the commentators mentioned about Michael. Before Michael even starting working on his record breaking, multi-award winning album, "Thriller", the gentleman said Michael literally saw himself breaking records. He would tell everyone he was going to release the biggest album of all time months before he recorded any of the music. Michael went as far as writing the success of the album on his mirror so he would see it every morning. He would religiously repeat it to himself as he stood in the mirror. In the end, Michael completely reinvented the way music has been recorded, produced and performed forever.

The fervent reiterations of success Michael subjected himself to may be a bit much for most people; however, if we take a moment to dissect the process that Michael put himself through, we should see the most fundamental elements to the innovation process, vision and mission. Michael committed himself to his vision statement- "I am going to release the biggest album of all time", then developed a mission to help himself accomplish his goal (repeated the vision everyday, produced flawless music, etc.). Because Michael never gave himself a chance to see or think anything less then excellence he accomplished his goal. I would suspect that it was in no way an easy thing to do, but if Michael saw himself in the winners circle I'm sure he knew the sacrifices that needed to be made.

As entrepreneurs, we're faced with just three choices...fail, blend in or change the world. To accomplish that goal, it is extremely important that a clear vision and mission are distinguished. Michael gave us a perfect example of how the process should look. It's a great lesson from one of the greatest human beings to walk the earth. He will definitely be missed by all that knew him.

R.I.P Michael Jackson!