Everyone has some type of vision or picture of the future. It may not be well defined or easily articulated, in fact, all vision is blurry at best since no one can perfectly predict the future. However, a vision of one's preferred future provides a practical guide for making plans in the present and keeps one focused on what's most important.

In an organizational context, casting vision to others is one thing, making it stick is quite another. Time pressures, stress, and the daily grind of life can easily take its toll on vision. Andy Stanley in his book, Making Vision Stick , points out that vision naturally leaks. He proposes five ways to help make vision stick.

First, he points out the importance of making it simple: "It is better to have a vision statement that is incomplete and memorable than to have one that is complete and forgettable."

Second, Andy tells us to cast vision convincingly. People need to know the reason behind it, both in terms of why and why now. He writes in his book that "what people complain about communicates their understanding of the vision."

Third, vision needs to be repeated regularly. We tend to easily forget and if our vision is important than much is at stake. So repeat your vision, then repeat it again...often!

Fourth, celebrate your wins. Take time to reflect on success and champion those who were directly or indirectly responsible. Never forget that what's praised gets repeated.

Fifth, Stanley points out that we must embrace the vision personally. Often more is caught than is taught. If you are a leader who casts vision remember that how you live it out reveals how important it really is.

Bottom line: We are easily distracted from keeping the main thing the main thing. Vision leaks. As leaders, it's our responsibility to make it stick. So cast vision, keep it simple, repeat it often, celebrate, and personally embrace it with all your heart. If your vision of the future is worth pursuing, then it's worth investing the time and energy to ensure a good probability of that future.