We cannot predict the future. But we can create it. – Jim Collins

In March 1975 after watching a boxing thriller featuring the legendary Mohamed Ali, Sylvester Stallone put pen on paper and wrote the script for a movie. On completion, he could only find a producer and director who was prepared to pay good money for the script but without Stallone as the lead actor. This was not part of Mr Stallone’s original plan, so he refused the money. He was offered increasingly larger sums of money which he also refused until the producers gave in and cast Mr Stallone as the lead actor in the movie. Rocky went on to become a big hit movie and Sylvester Stallone’s ticket to fame.

Mr Stallone did not predict his future. He created his future. He was not leaving his future to chance.

How about you?

Lead on purpose

To lead on purpose is to to be intentional about your leadership, to be deliberate, and to understand that nothing is going to happen until you make it happen. The person with the largest stake in your success is you.

So how do you make things happen? The simple answer is to make a decision and take action. Leaders are decision makers. You will have to decide on a variety of issues every day.

How actively involved are you in the creation of your future? Are you leaving everything to chance and hoping for the best? Many things are out of your sphere of influences; for example the price of petrol at the pump. But you can control a lot more things about your future than you think or do anything about.

So be comfortable with choosing

1. Be comfortable with choosing in the face of uncertainty. Your role is to make the effort. The outcome is in the future and will remain uncertain.
2. Be comfortable with making a choice in the limited time.
3. Be comfortable with the fact that you will at times make the wrong choice. Be flexible and ready to make changes as new information is available to you.

The future is unpredictable

Leading like a champion is setting out to help you create your future. Yes the future is completely unpredictable and there are many complex factors that come into play in the fast changing world that we live in today. But this is no excuse to be laid back and hope for the best. The best may or may not come. But with you prepared, with you actively involved and with you making decisions, you can tilt the outcome in your favour.

Here are a few things you can do today to create your future

1. Start work on your long term plan. How about a 10 year plan.
2. Give some thought to how you prioritise your work.
3. Determine to win the battle against procrastination.
4. Commit to a daily exercise routine.
5. Give consideration to your spiritual growth.

Add to this list. Leave a comment.