Paint Your Picture

I remember planning out my future in my mind when I was 15 years old. The visualization was so real that it was almost literal. It was like I was painting a picture of my life, my family, my house, my career, and silly enough…my car. I knew what I wanted. I had a vision of the direction my life would take. This vision has directed my decisions since the day it was formed.

Having a clear vision in life will clarify your purpose. In many ways, it makes life simpler and more meaningful. Personally, I feel we all would be lost without it.

Think about it. Just like vision chooses the direction in life, it also chooses our friends and the company we keep. If you know where you are headed in life, you normally wouldn’t hangout with those who do not align with the direction you are going, or at least not for long. That is the great thing about vision—once you realize it, you will slowly detach from those who don’t fit and align yourself with those who do. Then your life really takes off! 

Growing up, I always heard that life speeds up the older you get. Somehow, I have been an adult for nearly 30 years. I have been blessed to lead within this great company for most of those years.  Having a clear vision is a critical part of my organization’s current and future success. It is the driving force of how we define success! It tells us what the future will hold if we should accomplish all our goals and intentions. 

I feel that creating an inspiring vision, and engaging my team in the journey to achieve it, is one of the most rewarding parts of being a business owner. I also know who I want on my team. I want those who aim to go in the same direction with my company, at the same pace. I believe in the unrelenting power of a strong team, and I am unwavering in my quest to form one. 

I also believe in the power of Mom and Dad. Smart leaders know the truth. Parenting skills sharpen business skills. Many transferable skills that parents learn, such as time management, conflict resolution, and even event coordination, are in high demand by employers right now! 

If you’re a parent, it is likely you have honed some amazing skills. I suspect you might even have brought to life your very own vision for your family that is the driving force behind the decisions you make. 

One very good decision for your family could be the purchase of life insurance. Buying life insurance protects your spouse and children from the potentially devastating financial losses that could result if something should happen to you. It provides financial security, helps pay off debts, and helps to pay living expenses and any medical or final expenses. It is important to know that the younger you are, the less expensive it is to purchase life insurance. The cost of waiting till you are older can be significant. 

Another very good decision for your family is being prepared for unexpected medical expenses. Sometimes you can injure yourself when you play sports. Treatment for broken bones, sprains, strains, shin pain, and dislocations are rarely economical. Your primary health insurance plan probably already pays a good majority of them, but an emergency room visit tends to generate unexpected expenses. 

 This is where a supplemental insurance policy can help. The benefits are paid directly to you as the policy owner, so you can spend them on anything you like. Examples of how you could spend your policy benefits would be for deductibles or coinsurance not covered by your primary plan, meals out, your rent or mortgage payment, childcare, pet care, and lawn or home maintenance. With supplemental health insurance, you can focus on your—or your loved one’s—recovery and not worry about your finances.

Choosing the right supplemental insurance is an important decision and can be tricky. So, for more guidance and details about this coverage, please be sure to ask your insurance agent. 

When it comes to insurance, it isn’t always apparent to everyone what their family needs. If you are reading this, do me a favor and consider the last time you had your needs reviewed. If it has been over a year, it’s time to schedule a few minutes with your insurance provider and make sure you are properly covered. An unexpected event could most certainly disrupt what you have planned. 

It’s not easy growing up, running a company, or leading your family. There are ups and there are downs, and it definitely requires determination to stay the course. Just close your eyes, paint the picture of what you want for yourself and your family, and run fast in that direction. Let this beautiful vision you have created guide you to the life that is out there waiting for you.