3 Reasons Every Entrepreneur Needs Field Trips
When was the last time you went on a vision field trip? I define a ‘vision field trip’ as a reconnaissance mission to check out the ‘next’ level. Vision field trips are critical to remaining innovative and cutting-edge in our craft, and help us dream and strategize for the future. I go on local, out-of-state, and out-of-country vision trips as much as possible.
Here are three reasons why every entrepreneur needs vision field trips:
1. Vision Field Trips help you to “see it” before you see it
As visionaries, there will be times when only we believe in the dream and only we can see the dream. Vision trips help keep you inspired on the journey from ideation to implementation. I am in the midst of scaling the retail side of my business, so I go on vision trips just to support the advancement of that aspect of my company. I tour stores where I could see my #ToughSkinSoftHeart product line being carried. I take pictures of display designs and floor plans. Once back at the office, I print and display my pictures and findings on a vision board, strategize, and get to work. Every win in this arena of my work is somehow connected to a former vision field trip.
2. Vision Field Trips allow you to build relationships with people that are operating at the level you aspire to.
Some of the best business strategies I have received have emerged from people I met on a visioning excursion. These entrepreneurs have shared insider knowledge about various aspects of business and my industry that have been indispensable. From the relationships formed with fellow entrepreneurs, I have gleaned critical knowledge without the pain and expense of ‘trial and error’ learning. Vision field trips open doors for you to meet and build relationships with industry leaders and thinkers that you can learn from, be mentored by, and simultaneously support!
3. Vision Field Trips serve as motivation and fuel that the next level is possible.
It doesn’t matter where you are starting from. Vision field trips provide tangible proof of what can emerge as we commit to perfecting our craft, stepping out in faith, and walking in purpose. If you’ve bought an outfit recently — you bought a piece of someone’s idea. If you drove a car this week, you rode in the manifestation of someone’s dream. If you’ve read a book, you intellectually ingested the product of someone’s research or experience. All around you are living examples of people who have used a talent or birthed an idea that has been monetized. If they can do it, you and I can too. They aren’t smarter than us — what they know we can learn.
