Early this morning, while outside for quiet time before the day entered into full gear, a hawk in full splendor flew by me.  The spiritual meaning of a hawk flying by symbolizes among several things “an underlying and divine love you desire and deserve.”  How appropriate for that time of day, and even more appropriate as my husband was standing by me and pointing out the hawk.

Another representation of the hawk crossing your path can symbolize the ability to use intuition and higher vision in order to complete tasks or make important decisions.  If you study the history of hawks you will find reference to them representing “messengers of the spirit world”, so seeing them can represent direction encouraging you to learn to expand your knowledge and wisdom and develop greater vision.

Both my husband and I have careers in construction and real estate development.  He is more in the “heat of battle”, as I like to call it, and I am more involved with coaching and encouraging the leaders in our industry who lead the charge every day.  Life would not be the same without the leadership exhibited by my husband and many of you, along with the men and women at all levels that serve faithfully each day in our industry.

In 2018, iBuild America was a site for a national movement focused on increasing pride in the construction industry, educating the public about the value of construction, and recruiting the next generation of construction professionals. Part of this involved starting national construction appreciation week.  The slated special recognition dates of the third week in September just passed, and in just two years the appreciation week has gained much deserved momentum.

Mike Rowe, leader of “Dirty Jobs” and “Somebody’s Got to do it” television shows, as well as an author and advocacy public speaker, was definitely a pioneer in helping change the perception many have about tradesmen.  Both iBuildAmerica and Mike Rowe, as well as several others, are on a mission with AGC, ABC, and all the other construction associations to encourage our current and future generations to consider a career in the trades.   For these careers offer challenge, reward and growth.

Having served the construction industry over the past two decades, and specifically partaking in the movement to encourage all sorts of careers within our industry and having the opportunity to work with thousands of management professionals in the industry, one of the biggest challenges I see is “vision”.   By God’s design, we are a male-dominated industry, as most of us women just don’t have the physical strength to endure being in the trenches of the industry.  What we do have is the ability to see beyond the present easier than most men.

Often leaders in our industry do not set goals towards a larger vision, mainly because they do not understand the difference between a goal and vision.  Moreover, slowing action down in a time-driven industry can be painful, literally, for those that work better full-throttle and are accustomed to getting rewarded for doing so.

On the site “The Art of Manliness”, authors Brett & Kate McKay do an excellent job of explaining the distinction between goals and vision. They explain how goals lack deeper meaning, while a vision provides purpose and significance.  We are all designed for purpose and when we have purpose in life, we have hope for our future, and are able to encourage others with theirs.

Your vision is your most important mental picture.

A vision defines your optimal desired future and tells what you would like to achieve over the long-term. Vision can be your personal “why”, or the organization’s internal purpose of existence.

The McCay article goes on to say, “Don’t confuse the tool with the blueprint”.  A goal would be using the tool to accomplish a task. Vision would be the blueprint of what you are building, and knowing how following that blueprint builds the future for the pertinent office, school, airport, bridge etc.

Sometimes life can hit us from all directions, not allowing us the opportunity to have the vision we need. Speaking from experience, the more we slow down and look up the more chances we have to see confirmations.

Joel Barker, author of Paradigms, says “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.”

Do you specifically seek vision for your life?  It’s hard to lead others there without it.

To Construction Appreciation and Vision to Appreciate Every day,

Suzanne Breistol