My college friends recently celebrated their 138th wedding anniversary (okay, not really, but close enough!). They’re living proof of what it means to stay the course—through thick and thin, good times and bad, always having each other’s back, and most importantly, growing together.
It’s mind-blowing what life looks like when you play the long game. When you make decisions based on more than just the immediate dopamine rush, the results you can create are, to use a technical term, outstanding.
But here’s the problem: in today’s seven-second world, we’re hooked on instant gratification. Our inability to play the long game undermines our happiness, our contentment, and frankly, our ability to achieve anything that truly lasts.
This short-term obsession doesn’t just affect our personal lives—it’s everywhere in our workplaces too.
The days of nurturing employees for the long haul—developing them into leaders, rewarding them with pensions, stock options, and meaningful time off—seem to be fading fast.
Sure, some companies still invest in their people long term. But others? They see employees as expendable.
Case in point: my buddy recently told me about a co-worker who was completely overwhelmed—piled with tasks, emotionally exhausted, clearly drowning. When he mentioned this to her boss, the response? “Oh, she’s temporary anyway.”
What? Have we lost our minds? Have we lost our soul? When did quarterly reports become more important than human beings?
So, how do we resist the temptation of chasing shiny objects and keep our eyes fixed on the long road?
Here’s the trick that works for me: build a vision and follow it.
And not just a vague one-liner you hang on a wall. I mean a vision with vivid, emotionally resonant language that speaks to the core of your being.
And then—WRITE IT DOWN.
At work, don’t just aim to “increase shareholder value.” Define your purpose: ignite a sense of belonging and empower individuals to reach their full potential, creating a ripple effect of positive change that resonates for generations.
WRITE IT DOWN.
As a leader, your vision can’t just be “make a profit next quarter.” It must elevate the people around you—helping them grow, thrive, and succeed.
WRITE IT DOWN.
And as a partner, if your focus is only on meeting your own needs, the relationship will crack. Instead, a vision rooted in service—a happy, healthy, long-term relationship—is what creates strength.
WRITE IT DOWN.
Because ultimately, it’s not about having a vision; it’s about living it. Every day. With every choice.
PS – Did I mention? WRITE IT DOWN.