04 1 / 2012
#3: Revisit Your Vision
The context of why we contribute at all is compelling to revisit regularly so we remember the things that really matter. For some that may be people, lifestyle, or culture. For me, it’s sustainability.
What makes us excited to wake up in the morning is what we should never go more than a week without reflecting on. Context is inspiring, exciting, fun… and it can shake us out of almost any funk. Broad vision is also where epiphanies are born.
I do a lot with a non-profit in Greater Des Moines, and we strive to help members and others in the community bring their environmental ideas to fruition. Why? Because people are awesome. They have great ideas, and we need all the ideas we can get in order to solve the social and ecological challenges facing our generation.
It takes me all of one week to get bogged down in the daily grind before I start to get annoyed when things change. Someone has a new idea, and I think, “Save it for next year, we’re full. Can’t you see I’m working here?” Honestly, it takes 10 minutes to sit and listen to someone, introduce them to someone with similar goals, or plug them into another organization. And those are the people that get excited about our organization and end up helping us achieve our goals.
When my daily tasks supersede my overall reason for being at work, I know it’s time for a reminder. A beer with a friend who knows or shares my vision helps me download and re-focus. Some people post pictures on their bedroom wall (or Pinterest), write in a journal… I don’t care how you do, just that you do it. Revisit the underlying reason you’re up to something big in Des Moines and don’t let yourself forget it.
It will keep you sane, heading in the right direction… and much more enjoyable to be around, which translates into success.
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Adam Hammes is an Urban Ambassador and the Manager of Sustainability for Kum & Go. Follow: @adam_hammes
