Page 14 - NBIZ Magazine June 2023

FAILURE OF VISION (
THE WHY MISTAKE)
This happens when the vision does not align with the
actions taken to execute that vision.
People normally accept life, go with the flow, and
rarely commit to critically thinking about their own goals
and aspirations. Their vision is to lead a life free of hassle.
Well, there is nothing wrong with that concept, once one
accepts the fact that if he/she does not have a vision for
themselves, they will inevitably land up fulfilling some-
one else’s vision.
Sometimes one can abruptly realize that what one
is actually doing is not what he/she really wants to do.
One many even recognize that they are actually living
someone else’s dream and not their own per se? If this
happens, then it is time to revisit one’s vision and fix the
Why. Think about why one is doing what he/she is doing.
One’s identity and lifestyle need to be aligned.
Failures of vision, generally, can be addressed by taking
a good hard look at what one is doing in one’s life, defining
one’s non-negotiables, and finally, navigating all criticism.
Firstly, one needs to take stock of his/her life. What do
you want to accomplish? How do you want to spend your
life? It is not someone else’s job to figure out the vision for
your life. That can only be done by you, by exploring your wrong thing. There are nearly infinite ways to achieve
core values. one's vision if one is willing to be flexible on the details.
One’s non-negotiable, which remember is one’s vision Criticism is a great indicator of failed strategies and
and not one’s strategy. It is the one thing you are not tactics, but it is rarely an indication of a failed vision. If
willing to compromise, no matter what. Be firm and one is committed to making one’s vision a non-negotiable
stubborn on the vision (not just the idea), but flexible on factor in his/her life and not giving up on the first try,
details. Many of us get draped on a particular version of then one will have to be willing to navigate criticism.
our ideas, and when our ideas fail, we also then give up Remember ‘those that matter don’t mind and those that
on our vision. Don't develop a sense of ownership over the mind don’t matter’.

FAILURE OF OPPORTUNITY (
THE WHO & WHEN MISTAKE)
SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and
Threats) analysis is a great way to describe opportunis-
tic failures in life. Let us first start by reiterating that
Strengths and Weaknesses are internal whereas Opportu-
nities and Threats are external.
The world today seems unfair, unjust, and even uncar-
ing, for under the disguise of equal opportunities, what
we are actually seeking is equal outcomes. And often
people fail to recognize that opportunities do not come
their way; they have to be grabbed and nurtured, and
sometimes even shaped based on a need in society.
Disruptive innovation has caused noticeable opportu-
nities that have been capitalized on: automobiles replac-
ing horses and buggies as a means of transportation;
television replacing radio as a means of receiving enter-
tainment and news; email replacing fax and telex; smart-
phones and personal computers replacing calculators,
slide rules & typewriters; and now finally the internet,
changing how we communicate and access information.

14 NBIZ ■ June 2023