Deer In Headlines II

By Gery Deer

Somewhere between the motivational posters in your work break room and the TED Talk rabbit
hole you fell into online last Tuesday, someone probably told you that you need a “vision” for
your life. A grand, sweeping, cinematic plan that guides your every move like you’re the
protagonist in a Christopher Nolan film. Lights, camera, confusion.

Now, let’s be honest – most of us are just trying to remember where we left our coffee mug and
whether we fed the dog this morning. But a life vision? That sounds exhausting, and at least
partially unrealistic.

Don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying you should wander aimlessly through life like a robot
vacuum cleaner with a dying battery, bumping your way from wall to wall, down this hallway and
that. Any purposeful achievement generally starts with a dream and some kind of plan, even an
informal one. To me, that’s just common sense.

But obsessing over the idea of a perfectly curated roadmap for your life might do more harm
than good. That’s especially true when we project the obsession onto others—our kids, our
coworkers, some unsuspecting barista. And you need to allow for some flexibility so you can
recognize opportunity when it comes and act in your best interest – that’s more how I work, I
would say.
When someone says you can’t make it without a vision board and a color-coded calendar that
looks like NASA designed it, they are probably trying to sell you something. In case you haven’t
figured this out on your own, life is messy, unpredictable, and occasionally throws a raccoon
through your metaphorical window.

Some of the most successful people I know didn’t start with a vision. They began with a
problem, a deep interest in something, or just plain boredom. They stumbled into opportunities,
made a few mistakes (okay, a lot of mistakes), and figured things out along the way. Their “vision” was more like a foggy windshield they wiped clean with the sleeve of their hoodie – and
that’s okay.

Here’s the thing: having a vision sounds noble, but it can also blind you. When you’re so
focused on the end goal, you miss the weird little detours that could lead to something better.
You ignore the people around you who might need help, or who might help you.

Instead of the kind of vision you read about in self-help books, maybe what we need is a clearer
view—the ability to see what’s happening right now. That way, we notice the opportunities, the
needs, the small wins, and then be present enough to pivot when life throws a curveball—or a
raccoon.

If you’re in a position to guide others—whether you’re a parent, a manager, or just the guy who
always gets asked for directions at the grocery—there’s a temptation to impose your vision on
them. You want them to succeed, so you hand them your blueprint. “Here’s how I did it. Follow
this, and you’ll be fine.”

Really? People don’t come with identical parts and a universal tool kit. What worked for you
might be a disaster for someone else. Your vision might be their nightmare.
Instead of handing out visions like party favors, let’s ask questions. What excites you? What
scares you? What do you want to try, even if you might fail? Influence isn’t about shaping
someone’s path—it’s about helping them find their own flashlight.

So here’s my alternative vision pitch: wander with purpose. Be curious. Be open. Set goals,
sure—but don’t carve them into stone. Scribble them on napkins and be willing to toss them
when life hands you a better idea.

Life isn’t a straight line. It’s a squiggly mess of trial and error, happy accidents, and moments of
clarity that usually arrive while you’re doing something mundane like folding laundry or eating
cold pizza in the middle of the night. So what to do? Ignore all the nonsense out there and do
what leads you to the life you want.

While a valuable foundation, vision isn’t an absolute. Flexibility, awareness, and a good sense
of humor are your best tools along life’s path. Now – what did I do with that coffee mug?