What if the difference between failure and fortune was simply how you see the world?
Three friends decided to start a shoe company. Each brought unique skills to the table—one managed operations and manufacturing stateside, while the other two ventured overseas to tap into new markets. When they arrived in a developing country, they made surprising discoveries.
One partner called home and said, “We’re not going to sell anything here. Nobody wears shoes.” Moments later, the second partner called and exclaimed, “We’re going to make a fortune. Nobody wears shoes!”

This simple anecdote illustrates the essence of vision. Vision is the ability to see potential where others see problems. It’s not about ignoring challenges but about recognizing
opportunity and having the confidence to navigate obstacles.
Vision vs. Problems: The Perspective Shift
Life and business will always be full of problems. Unexpected emergencies, challenges, and mistakes. But the difference between success and stagnation lies in your perspective. Vision enables you to look beyond the roadblocks and focus on what could be. It’s about elevating your perspective to a 10,000-foot view and imagining the possibilities for your future.
One common fear that holds people back is the belief that success means more problems. Many entrepreneurs hesitate to grow because they fear an avalanche of issues. But here’s the paradox: as you build a successful business, you’ll actually do less, not more. By assembling a team of people who excel in their unique abilities, you create a machine that works for you.
Start With Why: The Foundation of Vision
Simon Sinek, author of Start With Why, offers a compelling framework called the Golden Circle to define vision. At its core, the Golden Circle consists of three layers:
Why – The belief or purpose driving what you do.
How – The process or values that make your work unique.
What – The tangible product or service you offer.
Most businesses focus on the outer circle—what they do. But companies like Apple start with why. Apple doesn’t just sell computers or phones; they challenge the status quo and invite customers to think differently. This clear sense of purpose creates a movement, not just a product, and fosters deep customer loyalty.
So, what’s your why? Why does your business exist? Why are you pursuing financial freedom or building an asset? Dig deep, ask yourself hard questions, and uncover the core purpose that drives you. A powerful exercise to help is the “Five Whys.” Ask yourself why five times, peeling back layers until you reach the root of your motivation. The clarity you gain will sharpen your vision and make decision-making easier.
Borrowed Vision: Adapting Success
Not every great idea needs to come from scratch. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs leverage borrowed vision—taking proven models from one industry and adapting them to another.
Take, for example, America Online (AOL). Their breakthrough strategy wasn’t extravagant advertising but bundling their software with unrelated products, like including free internet trial disks with store purchases. This simple idea drove massive growth. Inspired by AOL, I borrowed that vision and bundled my own software with other educational platforms, which now generates over a million dollars a month.
The Samwer brothers from Rocket Internet built an empire by borrowing vision. They replicated successful U.S. business models, like Groupon and Airbnb, for international markets, capturing value through adaptation.
Vision in Action: Progress Over Perfection
One of the biggest misconceptions about vision is that it has to be perfect. This pressure often leads to inaction. But here’s the truth: you don’t need the vision; you just need a vision. Start with a direction. Your vision will evolve as you take steps forward. What matters is getting started and trusting yourself to figure things out along the way.
The clearer your vision, the more it will inspire others. As a leader, your job is to rally your team around a shared future—one that promises not just success but a better life for everyone involved.
The Takeaway
Whether it’s uncovering your why or borrowing vision from others, the key to success is having a clear direction. It’s not about avoiding challenges or waiting for the perfect idea; it’s about seeing potential and taking the first step. As you move forward, your vision will sharpen, your confidence will grow, and your opportunities will multiply.
But what if you don’t know where to start? What if you feel like you don’t have an original enough idea or the roadmap to build something real?
That’s exactly why I created F40—a proven system designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs develop a clear vision, take action, and build a business that creates real financial freedom.
I’ve helped hundreds of students start and scale businesses, and F40 is the framework that guides you step by step. Inside F40, you’ll discover:
- How to turn any idea into a scalable business
- How to borrow vision from successful companies and adapt it to your goals
- How to remove the fear of failure and take decisive action
If you’re tired of just getting by and want to start building a future where you call the shots, click the link below to learn more about F40.
Join F40 and start building your vision today: www.freedomology.com/f40
Your future depends on your ability to see potential—not just problems. Let’s make it happen, together.
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