Do You Have A Vision? E veryone needs a vision statement; not everyone has one. You can contemplate what you want in life, write it down in the form of your values, goals and visions; and the end product will be just that — a vision, or mission statement, that you can use as a compass to turn your ideas into real plans. Recently, while enjoying a family vaca- tion with my sons and grandchildren at Walt Disney World in Orlando, I took my 8-year-old granddaughter to the Magic Kingdom to watch the evening parade along Main Street. The park lit up and we inhaled the sweet smell of fresh fudge, caramel corn and cotton candy. My granddaughter grinned broadly and said, "Papa, this place is awesome!" "It sure is," I agreed "and did you know it all began with one mans big idea, his vision" Of course, she asked what a vision was so I talked for a minute about Walt Disney's big idea, something exciting, something he brought to life, like the park. you? What is your purpose? What gets you While your big vision does not need out of bed every morning? Do you have an to be as large as a Disney theme park, it inner urge to pursue an activity or perform will require energy, focus and a service? This is your vision change in your life. You will — the path to your success. need to think long and hard To find your vision, be proac- about what you value. tive. Do you want balance between As Stephen R. Covey, author family and work to be more of the bestselling book The centered and live more positively? 7 Habits of Highly Effective Write it down. Read it regularly. People, likes to say: "The key Here is how you can get started to the ability to change is a on your vision statement: Make changeless sense of who you a list of the five most important Robert Sher are, what you are about and goals, projects and activities in Colum nist what you value!' your business and personal life. Covey defines habit as an Number them 1 to 5. intersection of knowledge, skill and desire. Make another list of where you actually Knowledge is his theoretical paradigm spend your time. Do your lists match? Are — what we do and why we do it. Skill is they in order? Look at your second list how to do it. Desire is the motivation, the and ask: "Is this goal or activity enhancing want to do. To make something a habit, we your life or consuming it?" Are you excited must have all three paradigms. and passionate about this or has your life His first habit is principles of a personal become about "shoulds"? vision. What guides you? What inspires Make a "yes" list to those things that Cr, truly are important to you and also that inspire you. Be committed to it. Create a storyboard by making yourself a collage of the goals that excite you and hang it on the wall in your office. If you look at them every day, they will soon be yours. What you intend to do with your life must be big enough to change your world, your life, but it does not have to change the whole world. Now you can start drafting your vision, your mission. You can work with a profes- sional coach or try going it alone using the personal mission statement builder on the Franklin Covey Web site. ❑ Robert Sher, CPA, is a certified executive coach. Formerly CFO and partner for Schostak Brothers & Company, he now serves on the West Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees and is treasurer of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Foundation. His e-mail address is: info@bobshercom. DO YOU HAVE BUSINESS OR PERSONAL TAX PROBLEMS? Levy & Associates can help! 0 We stop and resolve the situation before going to court, and lawyers are needed. We let you focus on your personal and professional life. Op SPECIALIZING IN: • Offer in Compromise • IRS Collection Issues • Release of Wage Garnishments • Release of Bank Levies • Unified Tax Returns • Abatement of Penalties • Installment Agreements • Currently Non-Collectible Status • Innocent Spouse Claims • State Tax Collection Issues We are a Michigan based corporation. We have successfully YOUR OPTIONS: Payment plans Reduction or elimination of penalties Settlement for less than the amount demanded We have resolved MILLIONS in tax liabilities in the last year alone! represented thousands of corporations and individuals throughout the State of Michigan. OFFICE LOCATIONS • Nev. York • Los Angeles • Boston • Ft. Lauderdale • Vest Palm Beach • Tampa • Orlando Associates: • • • • • Charles M. Inman, Ill, C.P.A.+ Patricia L. Martinez, C.P.A.+ Dale L. Gudenau, Esq.** Michelle C. Levy, Esq.** Julie Morley* • Kenneth Winston, E.A.• • Richard A. Erickson++ • Renee M. Cooney* • Glenn Sturm, C.P.A. & A.I.C.P.A. • Allen Reback, Regional Manager • Jerry Becker, Regional Manager + Member Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants ** Member Michigan Bar Association • Member National Society of Accountants • Former IRS Revenue Officer ++ American Society of Tax Problem Solvers • Dallas Lawrence B. Levy Member National Society of Accountants & American Society of Tax Problem Solvers 28400 Southfield Rd • Southfield, MI 48075 • Fort Worth • Indianapolis 248.557.4048 • Fax 248.443.1642 Toll Free 877.666.1evy (5389) www.levygroupinc.com iN May 8 • 2008 A39