Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world.

Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world.Nelson Mandela and Joel A. Barker

Yes, we need down-time, but if your vision lacks action, you will lack accomplishment, right?

Yes, we need down-time, but if your vision lacks action, you will lack accomplishment.

What does that mean?
This quote apparently has some dispute regarding the proper attribution. Regardless of who said it, I believe it is an interesting quote to consider, and so we shall.

This is a form of the thrust/vector idea. Thrust, or action, without a vector, or vision, is just going around in circles. Nothing useful gets done, you’re just passing time.

Having a vector, or vision, without thrust, or action, isn’t going to get anything done. You just sit there, thinking, planning, coming up with ideas, but without action, you get nothing.

Together, thrust, or action, guided by a vector, or vision, is what gets rockets into orbit, or even to the moon. Together, vision and action, combined, has changed the face of our planet.

Why is are both action and vision important?  
You have probably seen someone rushing around at the last moment, trying to get something done, but not having any kind of plan or idea what they needed to do or how they should do it? That is the first part of the quote, and it is a real waste of time and energy. Sometimes you have to step back and plan.

On the other hand, you have probably seen someone who won’t get up and do anything, but has magnificent plans for how they could, if they ever decided they wanted to do so, accomplish nearly anything. That is the second part of the quote, and even if it is written on paper, it’s still just a day dream.

Neither of the methods above are very useful or interesting, and they certainly won’t change much, and certainly not going to change the world. Even if you don’t want to change the world, you probably want to change something.

That will take at least a little bit of planning and a little bit of effort. If you want to change something bigger, you’ll need a bit more planning and a bit more effort. Your vision will guide you in your planning as well as helping you see when your action is taking you off course.

Where can I apply this in my life?
I imagine we have all been in each of the three conditions stated in the quote at some point in our lives. We’ve been the busybody, doing things, but without any plan or aim. What do you do when you get nervous and have time on your hands? Might that be an example of action without vision?

Then there is my favorite, vision without action. I have plans for making plans. I think things through, and often to the point of pointlessness. And then forget to take action. Yes, some of these plans are strictly thought exercises, but far too many are not, and become just daydreams.

However, we’ve all managed to pull it together at some point in our lives. We’ve managed to get at least a rudimentary plan together, and take action. When combined with the tracking of results and adjustments to the plan, and another round of action, amazing things can happen.

If you’ve been around long enough, you’ve heard the story of replacing the suspension of my car in the driveway. Spindles, upper and lower a-arms, springs, shocks, inner & outer tie rods, idler arm and center link. Everything between the rotors was pried off and replaced. BAM!

Now, that sounds impressive until you realize that I had an ASE certified tech on hand to assist, and that I had all the parts there for weeks. I also made sure all the bolts would come off, and had all the necessary tools on hand. I even did a dry run or two, to make sure I knew what to do.

Up to this point, the most complex thing I had done on a car was rebuild a carburetor. But with a plan, massive action, some expert advice (and assistance), I managed to get it done. Yes, it was scary, and not everything went according to plan. But we adapted and kept at it. Success!

That is what I did. What could you do? We can all do so much more than we imagine. Whether it’s whipping together a meal or a party on short notice, or finding a solution to an annoying problem, you can do it. The question to be answered is are you willing to put action to your vision, and make it happen?

All you need is a vision, an idea, a plan to provide direction, and some action to provide some thrust. Take off like a rocket towards your destination. You can do it, if you want it badly enough.

From: Twitter, @rabble
confirmed at : http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/joelabark158200.html
Photo by Ken Bosma

About philosiblog

I am a thinker, who is spending some time examining those short twitter quotes in greater detail on my blog.
This entry was posted in accomplishment, action, dream, help, plan, vision and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

4 Responses to Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world.

  1. sada says:

    Thank you for your effort and making me us realize vision without action is pointless.

    • philosiblog says:

      Thanks for stopping by, and for leaving such a nice comment. I hope you’re making good progress and taking action on the things which matter to you in your life.

  2. Vision+Action=Success! Thank you for sharing your insight and I appreciate the link as well. Blessings to you today and always.

Comments are closed.