By Cameron Herold
Most companies rely on bland vision or mission statements—but they rarely guide day-to-day actions. In Vivid Vision, Cameron Herold introduces a game-changing tool: a detailed, sensory-rich description of your company as it will exist in three years. This “map of the future” inspires alignment, purpose, and momentum across the entire organization (Brandy Sparkman).
Why a Vivid Vision Works
- Clarity of Direction: Instead of vague aspirations, a vivid vision is written in present tense, describing life in your company three years hence—with specifics about culture, clients, products, and processes .
- Emotional Resonance: The detail-rich, narrative approach engages people’s hearts—not just their heads, motivating action in a way dry statements never could .
- Built-In Alignment: It acts like a compass for decision-making. When new ideas come up, you can ask: Does this match our vivid vision? If not, it might not be worth pursuing (Amazon Music).
🛠️ Steps to Create Your Vivid Vision
- Ignore the “How”
Dream freely about the future state, even if it feels audacious. Leave the execution details for later (RESET YOUR THINKING). - Get Out of the Office
Refuge from daily noise is essential—go somewhere inspiring with pen and paper to spark creativity (Brandy Sparkman). - Visualize in Detail
Close your eyes and imagine an event at your business, then write it down: sights, sounds, interactions. What’s on the walls? How’s the culture? (RESET YOUR THINKING). - Draft & Refine
Create an initial draft, then polish it with help from editors or team members. Aim for a concise, compelling document (4 pages max) (RESET YOUR THINKING). - Reverse Engineer Execution
Once set, each line becomes a goal. Break them into projects, set deadlines, and assign resources (Amazon Music). - Review Quarterly, Adjust Tactically
Your vision is your fixed “north star.” Adapt tactics as needed, but your overarching direction remains steady (Brandy Sparkman).
📈 Benefits from Real Businesses
- Tesla envisioned an ecosystem of clean energy, charging networks, and smart products—and brought it to life .
- Zappos created a vivid picture of a service-focused culture, helping employees deliver on brand promise (bridgestoneinvest.com).
- Google built a narrative around organizing global information, guiding long-term innovation and strategy (bridgestoneinvest.com).
🚧 Common Missteps
- Being too generic. Vivid means vivid—generic statements won’t stick or inspire .
- Skipping refinement. A rough sketch isn’t enough—work on tone, imagery, and readability .
- Letting it collect dust. Without deliberate quarterly reviews and continuous reinforcement, the vision loses power .
✅ Final Thoughts
Vivid Vision is more than vision-casting—it’s vision experiencing. By creating a clear, evocative picture of the future (and openly communicating it), you empower every team member to move in alignment toward a shared destination.
Whether you’re scaling a startup, leading a team, or shaping your own life, this tool can transform abstract dreams into real momentum—one sensory detail at a time.
Ready to craft your 3‑year Vivid Vision?
Start today: book a retreat, grab a notebook, dream big—and come back when you’re ready to share your story.