vision v. mission

Bill Donahue on mission versus vision:

If the mission (What are we doing?) is the itinerary for a trip, the vision (What does the destination look like?) is the travel brochure.

When my wife and I traveled to Italy for a speaking engagement, I was excited by the brochure, not the itinerary. Photographs of the majestic artwork and ancient ruins of Rome, Florence, and Capri, and of the romantic countryside surrounding those cities, created in me a desire to go to Italy. The itinerary— departure times, airline seats, hotel locations, travel dates, time spent in each city— was crucial to the success of the trip. But there was little there to inspire me.

When people asked, “Where are you going in Italy?” we didn’t answer, “We’re flying to Rome on a 757 jet in seats 23A and 23B for eight hours and forty-two minutes, landing on a runway and then getting our bags, and then …” We said, “After a few days in Rome at the Coliseum and seeing all the ancient sites, we’re headed to Florence for a beautiful lunch on the veranda of a villa overlooking a vineyard! Then we’re going to see Michelangelo’s David at the Academia Gallery …”

Vision inspires and motivates. It provides a picture of a preferred future, something you are moving toward together, something you want to become as you accomplish the mission.

Completing a mission solves a problem; pursuing a vision fulfills a longing. One moves the hands; the other stirs the heart.