“I’m helping put a man on the moon.” These were the words spoken by a janitor at NASA in response to a question from President John F. Kennedy during a visit in 1962. The janitor’s job was to keep the floors clean, but his response showed that he understood the importance of his work in contributing to the larger mission of putting a man on the moon.

This story, is a powerful example of the importance of having a clear vision and sense of meaning in inspiring action and achieving great things. In this article, which builds upon our previous article on this topic, we want to explore how having a clear sense of purpose can motivate individuals and organizations to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

The Importance of Vision and Meaning:

The great philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche famously wrote that he who has a why to live can bear almost any how.

And it is true that at the heart of every great achievement is a clear vision and sense of purpose. When people have a sense of what they are working towards, or a vision of an ‘ideal self’ they aspire to become, they are more likely to stay motivated and focused, even in the face of setbacks and challenges. This is why it’s so important to have a clear vision for yourself and your organization, one that inspires your team to work towards a common goal.

But it’s not just about having a vision – it’s about having a sense of meaning behind that vision. When people feel that their work is meaningful and purposeful, they are more likely to feel fulfilled and satisfied with their work. This, in turn, leads to higher levels of engagement and productivity.

The Role of Storytelling:

One of the most effective ways to create a compelling vision that inspires action is through storytelling. President Kennedy’s visit to NASA in 1962 is a great example of this. By sharing his vision of putting a man on the moon within a decade, he inspired an entire generation of people to work towards a common goal, even though the technology and resources to achieve it did not yet exist. It was the power of his vision, combined with his ability to tell a compelling story, that inspired people to take action. His vision became a shared vision, and the animating spirit that drove the entire country towards a singular direction.

This is why it’s important for organizations to tell their own stories – stories that illustrate their shared vision and sense of purpose. By sharing these stories, organizations can create a shared sense of meaning and purpose among their employees, customers, and stakeholders.

Examples of How Vision and Meaning Can Inspire Action:

To make the concept of vision and meaning more relatable, let’s take a look at some examples of how individuals and organizations have used a clear sense of purpose to achieve significant goals:

1. A nonprofit organization that raised funds to build a new school in a developing country by sharing a vision of providing education to underprivileged children. By focusing on the goal of education, the organization was able to inspire donors to contribute to the cause, despite the challenges of operating in a foreign country.
2. A startup company in the biotech industry that was able to motivate its employees to work long hours and overcome setbacks by emphasizing the importance of their mission. By sharing a vision of changing the world and saving millions of lives through their product, the company was able to create a sense of purpose that inspired its employees to go above and beyond in their work.
3. An athlete who overcame a serious injury to achieve their goals by focusing on their sense of purpose. By visualizing themselves achieving their goals and focusing on the sense of purpose behind their sport, the athlete was able to stay motivated and achieve success, despite the setbacks they faced.

The story of the janitor at NASA is a powerful reminder of the importance of having a clear vision and sense of meaning in our work. As business leaders, it’s important for us to remember that a clear sense of purpose is just as important as setting clear goals and objectives. By creating a compelling vision and sense of meaning, we can inspire our teams to take action and achieve great things, even in the face of challenges. By telling compelling stories and emphasizing the importance of our mission and purpose, we can create a shared sense of meaning and inspire our teams to work towards a common goal.

Whether we’re working towards putting a man on the moon or building a new school in a developing country, having a clear vision and sense of purpose is essential in achieving success. Let us all remember the power of vision and meaning in inspiring action and achieving our goals.

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