Start with the end in mind

As an extreme adventure racing athlete, I have always started every race with a "mental minds-eye view" of finishing the race, seeing myself cross the finish line, checkered flag, or getting to the "end of every extreme wave". I recall my days as a surfer, where we would picture the entire wave, in our minds-eye, and plan each move as the wave was forming.

Surfers are committed to the take-off on every extreme wave, and are acutely aware of the risks of falling on rocks, breaking a surf board, or getting seriously injured.

The ability to perceive the situation, predict changes before they happen, anticipate risks, and manage expectations is what is meant by the expression "Start with the end in mind".

What is critical to successful extreme wave-riding is being able to picture challenges ahead of time, anticipate changes in wave formation and execute every curve and turn as if it were a unique experience. The reality of riding the wave plays out against a surfers mental picture model (starting with the end in mind) where the surfer executes moves during the formation of each unique wave. Every wave is different, every wave-ride is a unique experience, and the surfers mind constantly adjusts its original picture (mental image) of which moves and turns to make as she moves along the wave.

Athletes prepare in advance, they get themselves physically fit, become skilled in their sport, and most importantly get "their head in the game". This mental mindset is what prepares one for eventual outcomes in oder to manage expectations, and to ride each wave with commitment and passion, run a great race, or compete for victory with a team in a game.

This is true in the "game" or "race" in business, where every plan, personal or team-based starts with a vision, or an "end state". Equally important to envisioning yourself or your team cross the finish-line is be committed to your journey, and the ultimate outcome. Commitment has to be sincere, real, and goals have to be achievable, or else individuals may not be able to envision themselves or their teams crossing the proverbial "finish-line". By empowering, engaging and committing each individual tends to increase the odds of success for the entire team to execute against an end state and better anticipate execution gaps.

Written by Terry Coull. Terry is a management consultant focusing on transformation and continuous improvement in technology today. This is part 1 of a series of informative team-centric leading practice white-papers.