Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
I do not know any successful person who lacked vision. Author Stephen Covey opined that all things are created twice, and vision is the first creation. The mental creation always precedes the physical or the second creation. Vision not only helps us to spot present opportunities but also points us towards the future and we want to be in five, ten, or twenty years. No manufacturer, sales representative, contractor, engineer, designer, or anyone else achieved anything without first creating a vision of what success would be.
Vision starts with a purpose, and then we begin to turn into specifics, including what we will do, when we will do it, and how we will do it. Two individuals can start with the same purpose, but what to do and how to do it can be vastly different. There is no single path that everyone must follow. However, in all cases, once a vision is set, then we must set out step by step to bring it to life.
Keep in mind that one of the most important visions we will ever have is the one we create of ourselves. Our self-vision connects our conscious and subconscious minds, which eventually creates habits. Successful people set challenging but realistic expectations for themselves. Vision is not focusing on that which we cannot control—in my case, no matter how hard I visualize it, I will never be able to dunk a basketball, but I did develop a pretty darn good three-point shot. As a result, I was able to play a sport I loved and contribute to the success of the teams of which I was a part. That said, there is nothing wrong with “Wishing upon a star.” Dreams often lead to extraordinary results.
As you think about your vision of the future, consider the following insights to help form your journey.
I skate to where the puck is going, not to where it has been. – Wayne Gretsky
Lord, grant that I may always desire more than I accomplish. – Michelangelo
So many of our dreams seem impossible, then improbable, then inevitable. –Christopher Reeve
Dreams are extremely important. You cannot do it unless you can imagine it. – George Lucas
Achievement is largely the product of steadily raising one’s level of aspiration. – Jack Nicklaus
In order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles. – David Ben-Gurion
Dig a well before you are thirsty. – Chinese Proverb
Finally, consider what two experts have to say about success and the importance of having a vision and seeing it fulfilled.
After surprising everyone by winning the world title in figure skating, Michelle Kwan stated, “I know that I am supposed to be surprised by what I have accomplished. But why should I be? Everyone says that it happened so fast, but it did not seem fast to me. I was out there every day, all the time, working and skating well. Winning isn’t about miracles on ice; it is about training!”
There are no overnight successes. Even though Michelle was young, she had worked for years honing her craft and did the work necessary to make her vision a reality.
Author Charles Garfield, in his book “Peak Performer,” wrote, “Workaholics are addicted to activity; superachievers are committed to results. They work toward goals that contribute to their mission [vision]. In their mind’s eyes, they see the end they want and the actions leading to it.”
Activity with no goal or vision takes us nowhere. If we are going to do the work, let’s make sure that it is leading us somewhere. Activity without purpose is of no use.
Remember, all things are created twice. We must first visualize and then turn the vision into reality. Success happens one day, one step at a time. Think about what we can specifically do today that will help propel us to achieving our vision of tomorrow.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Russell B. Leavitt, CFPS, SET, is executive chairman and board member of Telgian Holdings, Inc. His roots can be traced to the genesis of the company. In 1990, he co-founded Fire Design Group, which merged with Tomes, Van Rickley and Associates (TVA) in 1991. He subsequently served in numerous executive positions including TVA Fire and Life Safety President, Managing Member of Fire Materials Group, LLC, and CEO of Telgian. Today, Leavitt serves as the Executive Chairman for Telgian Holdings, Inc., as well as the Chairman of Telgian Fire Safety and Telgian Engineering & Consulting.
Leavitt is active in numerous trade and professional associations and holds several leadership positions. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors as Immediate Past Chair of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), he has served as the Chair of the NFPA 13 Technical Committee for Fire Sprinkler System Discharge Criteria and continues to serve as a Principal Member. He is also a Principal Member of the NFPA Technical Committee for Installation and a Principal Member of NFPA 3 and NFPA 4. Leavitt also represents NFPA 13 on the Technical Committee for NFPA 909 (Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties) and 914 (Code for the Protection of Historic Structures).
Throughout his career, he has authored numerous articles and training guides, including the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) Beginning Inspector Training Program and the AFSA Online Hydraulics Training Program. In addition, he is a major contributor to several NFPA Handbooks and served as the subject matter expert for numerous NFPA live and online training programs.
Leavitt shares his more than 40 years of experience in the fire protection industry by conducting training presentations for many professional and industry organizations including the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), NFPA, and AFSA.
In 2013, he received the AFSA Henry S. Parmelee Award for dedication to the professional advancement of the fire sprinkler industry and improvement of fire safety through automatic sprinklers. He is also the recipient of the NFPA Standards Council Special Achievement Award in 2018 for his leadership of the task group which completely reorganized NFPA 13 for the 2019 edition.
Leavitt is a Level IV NICET certified technician and Certified Fire Protection Specialist who holds fire protection contracting licenses in multiple states. He is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.