Put Your Cocktail Napkin To Good Use

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

Last time, we talked about 92 Ben Franklin’s system ]for not just setting goals, but actually getting them. We’ve also posted an article on 95 Ben’s thirteen virtues ]and a PDF file of the form he used to track his progress.

New Year’s Eve is just days away. That got us thinking about parties, confetti, horns, cocktails … and cocktail napkins.

We have a suggestion for how to put your cocktail napkins to good use.

Before we talk about that, though, let’s quickly discuss mission statements and vision statements. Companies have them. So should you. After all, you are the CEO of the most important organization in the world: You, Inc.

As we’ll define it here, your mission statement describes how you serve those around you, how you touch the people in your world. For example, the mission statement of a business might describe how it serves its customers, its employees, and its shareholders.

A vision statement is a concise declaration of your purpose, your reason for being here, how you make your mark. For example, Google’s vision statement is “Google provides access to the world’s information in one click.” Short. Simple. Yet powerful.

So a mission statement is a longer, detailed version of your vision statement. It fills in the blanks. It flows from your vision statement. Your vision statement is the biggest of the bigg picture …

…. which brings us back to the cocktail napkin.

A vision statement is simple and concise. So concise that you could write it on a cocktail napkin! That’s right … your cocktail napkin is a tool. Because it’s small, it forces you to define and refine your vision statement to keep it short.

Why is it so important to keep your vision statement short? We’re glad you asked! A short, simple vision statement paints a vivid image of your desired future. It’s memorable. So you make better decisions because your vision statement gets into your subconscious mind. It inspires you to reach for this future you picture.

It’s constantly with you. You know what you’re trying to accomplish. Your purpose is etched in your brain!

To show that we aren’t all talk and no action here at Bigg Success, show co-hosts George and Mary-Lynn shared what they wrote on their cocktail napkins.

George:      To make a real, positive difference in people’s lives.
He said that originally he didn’t include the word “positive” in his statement. Then someone made a difference in his life – in a bad way. He realized he should add the word “positive”. Your vision statement will also likely evolve over time.

Mary-Lynn:      To bring out the best in myself and others.
When she thinks of “best”, words such as “ability”, “talent”, “personality”, “attitude”, and “relationships” come to her mind. Your vision statement will likely include powerful words with more than one meaning to you. These rich words are why your vision statement packs so much punch!

Our Bigg Quote today is a challenge from Helen Keller.

“The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight, but no vision.”

So put that cocktail napkin to good use – ring in the New Year with a vision!

Next time, for New Year’s Eve, we’ll discuss what we learned about Bigg Success this year. Until then, here’s to your bigg success!