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Visioneering: God's Blueprint for Developing and Maintaining Personal Vision
Lift Your Vision High
Vision is a preferred future. A destination. Vision always stands in contrast to the world as it is. Visioneering, according to bestselling author Andy Stanley, is “a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be.” With warm, down-to-earth practicality, Andy Stanley explores the ordinary life of Nehemiah and his God-given vision for accomplishing the extraordinary. He shows how the life of this great ancient visionary, determined to rebuild the ruined walls of Jerusalem, reveals principles that can prepare us to find and follow God’s multifaceted vision for our own lives. Now this bestseller is again available in an attractive, affordable paperback!
Everybody ends up somewhere in life.
You can end up somewhere on purpose!
Visioneering is the engineering of a vision. It’s the process one follows to develop and maintain vision. “Vision,” writes Andy Stanley , “is a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be.”
In the bestselling Visioneering, Stanley builds a compelling case for the necessity of a clear, God-ordained vision for each of the roles of your life. Whether you’re a parent with a vision for your children or a CEO pursuing a corporate vision, Visioneering is the perfect tool to help you develop and maintain God’s unique purpose for your life.
“Visioneering is the best book on vision I’ve seen. It will put you on track to discovering God’s purpose for your life. In my course “The Vision of the Leader,” I quote from Andy’s book more than any other. Visioneering should be on the bookshelf of every pastor, business leader, and parent in America . I heartily endorse it!”
—Dr. Bruce Wilkinson ,
Chairman, Dream for Africa
Story Behind the Book
Andy Stanley, the pastor of more than 15,000, knows a lot of people, and is well aware of the overwhelming and mutual desire nearly every Christian holds to find and fulfill God’s purpose for their lives. This book was written to stir these hearts and move people forward by providing tangible steps to getting from Point A to Point B. “As Christians,” states Stanley, “we do not have a right to take our talents, abilities, experiences, opportunities, and education and run off in any direction we please.” This book was written to provide a specific plan for going in the right direction. It truly is “God’s blueprint for developing and maintaining personal vision.”
Vision is a preferred future. A destination. Vision always stands in contrast to the world as it is. Visioneering, according to bestselling author Andy Stanley, is “a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be.” With warm, down-to-earth practicality, Andy Stanley explores the ordinary life of Nehemiah and his God-given vision for accomplishing the extraordinary. He shows how the life of this great ancient visionary, determined to rebuild the ruined walls of Jerusalem, reveals principles that can prepare us to find and follow God’s multifaceted vision for our own lives. Now this bestseller is again available in an attractive, affordable paperback!
Everybody ends up somewhere in life.
You can end up somewhere on purpose!
Visioneering is the engineering of a vision. It’s the process one follows to develop and maintain vision. “Vision,” writes Andy Stanley , “is a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be.”
In the bestselling Visioneering, Stanley builds a compelling case for the necessity of a clear, God-ordained vision for each of the roles of your life. Whether you’re a parent with a vision for your children or a CEO pursuing a corporate vision, Visioneering is the perfect tool to help you develop and maintain God’s unique purpose for your life.
“Visioneering is the best book on vision I’ve seen. It will put you on track to discovering God’s purpose for your life. In my course “The Vision of the Leader,” I quote from Andy’s book more than any other. Visioneering should be on the bookshelf of every pastor, business leader, and parent in America . I heartily endorse it!”
—Dr. Bruce Wilkinson ,
Chairman, Dream for Africa
Story Behind the Book
Andy Stanley, the pastor of more than 15,000, knows a lot of people, and is well aware of the overwhelming and mutual desire nearly every Christian holds to find and fulfill God’s purpose for their lives. This book was written to stir these hearts and move people forward by providing tangible steps to getting from Point A to Point B. “As Christians,” states Stanley, “we do not have a right to take our talents, abilities, experiences, opportunities, and education and run off in any direction we please.” This book was written to provide a specific plan for going in the right direction. It truly is “God’s blueprint for developing and maintaining personal vision.”
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
503 people are currently reading
3887 people want to read
About the author
Andy Stanley
278 books835 followersAndy Stanley is the senior pastor of North Point Community Church, Buckhead Church, and Browns Bridge Community Church. He also founded North Point Ministries, which is a worldwide Christian organization.
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March 21, 2009
About seven years ago, my friend Art gave me the book Visioneering: God’s blueprint for developing and maintaining personal vision by Andy Stanley. Seven years ago is a guess: my memory of him giving me the book is more strongly tied to the time shortly after graduating from college, which was about seven years ago. He was trying to off-load the book, I believe; and I still was of the mindset that books were awesome. I had this grand scheme that during my lifetime I wanted to amass a huge and totally awesome library. He didn’t give a very high recommendation of the book – kind of a bland, “egh, it’s okay. Not the greatest, but not terrible.” But, hey, it was a book; and my collection was just beginning. With that recommendation, I’ve been carrying that book with me for seven long years without having any interest at all in reading it… that is, until last week, when I found myself looking for and feeling like I need to know what to do next. Now that I’ve found my other half, I feel a greater responsibility to know what’s happening and to know what to do next. Visioneering seemed liked it had potential to fill in some blanks.
To summarize it concisely, Visioneering provides a 20-point checklist, or “building blocks,” for choosing and executing a “life project” using Nehemiah as the primary case study to support the approach. “Life project” could also be called “vision,” could also be “career,” could also be some thing or part of our life that we feel we need to do in our lifetime, whether that’s having a good family, improving other people’s lives, or whatever. The book closely follows Nehemiah’s record of how he was a Jewish slave in Persia and went to Israel to rebuild the wall surrounding Jerusalem, from the time he was burdened with the project to the time the Jewish people were back on track worshiping Jehovah. Stories from the author’s personal experiences are peppered throughout the book, as well, to illustrate certain points. Stanley himself is a Dallas Theological Seminary-trained pastor of a church in the northern suburbs of Atlanta.
At its best, Visioneering is thought-provoking, challenging, and insightful. I am at a time in my life when I can choose what my next path will look like… what type of job opportunity I want to pursue, where I want to apply my passions and skills. This book says, “okay, do this, do that, be sure to stay true and keep a watchful eye, and you’re good to go.” Stanley backs up his claims though the actions of Nehemiah, an Old Testament hero (not a prophet), and examples of acquaintances, friends, family, and members of his congregation. To this end, when reviewing each of the 20 items, it is easy to remember why each point might be important. The challenge is that the reader must acknowledge God’s will as sovereign throughout every aspect of the life project. At its worst, however, Visioneering could be preachy, fluffy, and vain.
On a number of occasions, Stanley's words come off as preachy. He supports his argument that God’s will is sovereign because, as Christians, his readers have already committed their lives to Christ. But he doesn’t need to go on and say, “After all, we are not our own. We have been bought with a price. Remember the rest? We are to glorify – or honor – God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)” (p. 12). The reader knows what he or she has committed to and doesn’t need a spiritual “you owe me one” to be called into action. The author further reads into the text of Nehemiah to deduce how Nehemiah must have been feeling at various stages:
* “As hard as that was for Jim to believe, I imagine it was just as hard for Nehemiah to believe” (p. 49)
* “After years of routine and menial service to the king, he must have felt like a caged bird that had been set free” (p. 73)
* “… but I think Nehemiah was just ticked off. He was tired. The builders were tired. And now this. He was not in the mood…” (p. 149)
Really? Nehemiah is a fairly straight-forward piece of text. There are a few times when Nehemiah describes his feelings in certain circumstances (Neh 1:4, 2:2, 5:6, for example), but the book is more often an account of events. These assertions may be educated guesses, but they distract from what is really being said and give the reader the illusion that the author has some sort of divine knowledge that gives him authority to make other unsubstantiated claims. Stanley really knows the inner feelings of a person he’s never met, who’s from a different time period, a different culture, and a different socioeconomic status? Talk simply, present arguments in a straight-forward manner, and let the reader choose how things relate to his or her life.
Along with reading into the text, all too often case studies were presented to support the building blocks. Case studies are not bad per se, but I find them as weak supports for an argument. Just because one person did something one way doesn’t mean I will have similar results if I do the same thing. Even further, just because Nehemiah took a certain approach to building the wall doesn’t mean I need to follow his same approach for my project. At times in Visioneering, it is difficult to tell whether a story is based on a real event or an invented character. Other times they are summarized in an all too perfect vignette (e.g. Grant’s Story, pp. 205-6). If presenting a 20-point checklist for a life project, show me examples of people who tried the entire checklist rather than just pieces of it. To strengthen an argument, show me a cohort of individuals who followed a protocol and what their outcomes were.
If we are to use Nehemiah as an example for building a life project, one omission by Stanley warrants explanation. Chapter 3 of Nehemiah includes what appears to be a fairly exhaustive list of who built each section of the wall. It is one thing to direct people to build a wall surrounding a city; it is another thing to record who did what for such an extensive project. While most of the book is a description of Nehemiah’s reaction to events, Chapter 3 is a departure, where he lists everyone else who was involved. Could not another building block be, give credit where credit is due? What about the importance of being organized and maintaining a record for a large project? A number of the building blocks imply a community environment (5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20), but these principles are not included.
Well, so what? What does this mean? Is the checklist Stanley presented exhaustive? It appears not. Has the effectiveness of these building blocks been proven? Not really. But, for a guy looking for something – almost anything – to use as a template to get the ball rolling, Visioneering answers a few questions. It gives examples of choices other people needed to make and obstacles they needed to overcome while pursuing their visions. It underscores the importance of moral principles, God’s sovereignty, and prayer in pursuing a vision. And if nothing else, it’s there, on my bookshelf, one small step towards a totally awesome library.
To summarize it concisely, Visioneering provides a 20-point checklist, or “building blocks,” for choosing and executing a “life project” using Nehemiah as the primary case study to support the approach. “Life project” could also be called “vision,” could also be “career,” could also be some thing or part of our life that we feel we need to do in our lifetime, whether that’s having a good family, improving other people’s lives, or whatever. The book closely follows Nehemiah’s record of how he was a Jewish slave in Persia and went to Israel to rebuild the wall surrounding Jerusalem, from the time he was burdened with the project to the time the Jewish people were back on track worshiping Jehovah. Stories from the author’s personal experiences are peppered throughout the book, as well, to illustrate certain points. Stanley himself is a Dallas Theological Seminary-trained pastor of a church in the northern suburbs of Atlanta.
At its best, Visioneering is thought-provoking, challenging, and insightful. I am at a time in my life when I can choose what my next path will look like… what type of job opportunity I want to pursue, where I want to apply my passions and skills. This book says, “okay, do this, do that, be sure to stay true and keep a watchful eye, and you’re good to go.” Stanley backs up his claims though the actions of Nehemiah, an Old Testament hero (not a prophet), and examples of acquaintances, friends, family, and members of his congregation. To this end, when reviewing each of the 20 items, it is easy to remember why each point might be important. The challenge is that the reader must acknowledge God’s will as sovereign throughout every aspect of the life project. At its worst, however, Visioneering could be preachy, fluffy, and vain.
On a number of occasions, Stanley's words come off as preachy. He supports his argument that God’s will is sovereign because, as Christians, his readers have already committed their lives to Christ. But he doesn’t need to go on and say, “After all, we are not our own. We have been bought with a price. Remember the rest? We are to glorify – or honor – God with our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)” (p. 12). The reader knows what he or she has committed to and doesn’t need a spiritual “you owe me one” to be called into action. The author further reads into the text of Nehemiah to deduce how Nehemiah must have been feeling at various stages:
* “As hard as that was for Jim to believe, I imagine it was just as hard for Nehemiah to believe” (p. 49)
* “After years of routine and menial service to the king, he must have felt like a caged bird that had been set free” (p. 73)
* “… but I think Nehemiah was just ticked off. He was tired. The builders were tired. And now this. He was not in the mood…” (p. 149)
Really? Nehemiah is a fairly straight-forward piece of text. There are a few times when Nehemiah describes his feelings in certain circumstances (Neh 1:4, 2:2, 5:6, for example), but the book is more often an account of events. These assertions may be educated guesses, but they distract from what is really being said and give the reader the illusion that the author has some sort of divine knowledge that gives him authority to make other unsubstantiated claims. Stanley really knows the inner feelings of a person he’s never met, who’s from a different time period, a different culture, and a different socioeconomic status? Talk simply, present arguments in a straight-forward manner, and let the reader choose how things relate to his or her life.
Along with reading into the text, all too often case studies were presented to support the building blocks. Case studies are not bad per se, but I find them as weak supports for an argument. Just because one person did something one way doesn’t mean I will have similar results if I do the same thing. Even further, just because Nehemiah took a certain approach to building the wall doesn’t mean I need to follow his same approach for my project. At times in Visioneering, it is difficult to tell whether a story is based on a real event or an invented character. Other times they are summarized in an all too perfect vignette (e.g. Grant’s Story, pp. 205-6). If presenting a 20-point checklist for a life project, show me examples of people who tried the entire checklist rather than just pieces of it. To strengthen an argument, show me a cohort of individuals who followed a protocol and what their outcomes were.
If we are to use Nehemiah as an example for building a life project, one omission by Stanley warrants explanation. Chapter 3 of Nehemiah includes what appears to be a fairly exhaustive list of who built each section of the wall. It is one thing to direct people to build a wall surrounding a city; it is another thing to record who did what for such an extensive project. While most of the book is a description of Nehemiah’s reaction to events, Chapter 3 is a departure, where he lists everyone else who was involved. Could not another building block be, give credit where credit is due? What about the importance of being organized and maintaining a record for a large project? A number of the building blocks imply a community environment (5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20), but these principles are not included.
Well, so what? What does this mean? Is the checklist Stanley presented exhaustive? It appears not. Has the effectiveness of these building blocks been proven? Not really. But, for a guy looking for something – almost anything – to use as a template to get the ball rolling, Visioneering answers a few questions. It gives examples of choices other people needed to make and obstacles they needed to overcome while pursuing their visions. It underscores the importance of moral principles, God’s sovereignty, and prayer in pursuing a vision. And if nothing else, it’s there, on my bookshelf, one small step towards a totally awesome library.
September 5, 2021
Achhh. With extra phlegm.
This book took me months to read. Or more accurately, listen to. I've read a couple books by Andy Stanley now, and I want to love him. I really do. But I've reached a point of recognizing that I wallow through his books every time.
Some things I DID like (that's only fair):
1) I need to read Nehemiah. I've never paid a lot of attention to this story since I became a (formal) leader. And I'm excited to go into it with those experiences and points of application.
2) I loved the motto "I'm doing a great thing. I can't come down." Nehemiah said this when naysayers and those meaning him harm tried to get him to come off the wall. The application of this to any calling we have on us is awesome.
3) I might have learned this before, but if I did I forgot about it. Andy Stanley explained that the plagues of Egypt were very specific to Egypt's sacred cows, if you will. So if we're thinking, "What's with these weird, fragmented plagues?" there's an answer to that. Pharaohs considered themselves gods. Egyptians also worshipped the Nile. And the sun. And other things associated with the plagues. So God was essentially going, "Naw, sit down, son. Watch this."
But back to all books Andy Stanley. They're solid. They're sound. They're...not relevatory. So if it's not relevatory, it at least needs to be passionate. Like Bob Goff or Donald Miller. Or absorbing through prose. Like Ann Voskamp. But it's just...dad socks in slides. Also, the narrator was dad socks in slides. Like, it all gets the job done practically, but I'm sighing at the process.
This may work for many people and Andy Stanley is renowned for his work and books. So I am noticeably in the minority for not loving this.
I'd rate this book a G.
This book took me months to read. Or more accurately, listen to. I've read a couple books by Andy Stanley now, and I want to love him. I really do. But I've reached a point of recognizing that I wallow through his books every time.
Some things I DID like (that's only fair):
1) I need to read Nehemiah. I've never paid a lot of attention to this story since I became a (formal) leader. And I'm excited to go into it with those experiences and points of application.
2) I loved the motto "I'm doing a great thing. I can't come down." Nehemiah said this when naysayers and those meaning him harm tried to get him to come off the wall. The application of this to any calling we have on us is awesome.
3) I might have learned this before, but if I did I forgot about it. Andy Stanley explained that the plagues of Egypt were very specific to Egypt's sacred cows, if you will. So if we're thinking, "What's with these weird, fragmented plagues?" there's an answer to that. Pharaohs considered themselves gods. Egyptians also worshipped the Nile. And the sun. And other things associated with the plagues. So God was essentially going, "Naw, sit down, son. Watch this."
But back to all books Andy Stanley. They're solid. They're sound. They're...not relevatory. So if it's not relevatory, it at least needs to be passionate. Like Bob Goff or Donald Miller. Or absorbing through prose. Like Ann Voskamp. But it's just...dad socks in slides. Also, the narrator was dad socks in slides. Like, it all gets the job done practically, but I'm sighing at the process.
This may work for many people and Andy Stanley is renowned for his work and books. So I am noticeably in the minority for not loving this.
I'd rate this book a G.
January 28, 2016
Don't make the mistake I did when I dismissed this book as yet another in the growing you-can-be-anything-you-want-to-be-as-long-as-you-follow-your-heart genre. Stanley unashamedly embraces two realities: the Gospel of Christ, and the glory of God. (I know they're the same reality, but we speak of them in different ways.) He then uses Nehemiah as an extended case study to show the power and challenge of a vision (in the motivational sense, not mystical), encouraging us to recognize and fulfill our place in God's Kingdom plan. And no, that doesn't mean that we're all going to plant mega-churches or conduct a symphony. In fact, some of Stanley's most powerful reminders occur when he's talking about God's vision for our families.
I appreciated most of this book, and I will likely be returning to it in the near future. However, I would caution readers that some of Stanley's advice - if taken too far - could lead to a very unhealthy leadership style, especially when team members "fall out of alignment." The leader could fortify himself in his vision to the point where he fails to listen to anyone and simply bulldozes those who are in his way.
But that's not Stanley's idea. Stanley repeatedly shows us that a vision requires total dependence upon God, and he is constantly reminding us of the priority of prayer.
For that, I am thankful. After all, it's not much of a vision that I can dream up myself and accomplish in my own strength. "The end of a God-ordained vision is God."
I appreciated most of this book, and I will likely be returning to it in the near future. However, I would caution readers that some of Stanley's advice - if taken too far - could lead to a very unhealthy leadership style, especially when team members "fall out of alignment." The leader could fortify himself in his vision to the point where he fails to listen to anyone and simply bulldozes those who are in his way.
But that's not Stanley's idea. Stanley repeatedly shows us that a vision requires total dependence upon God, and he is constantly reminding us of the priority of prayer.
For that, I am thankful. After all, it's not much of a vision that I can dream up myself and accomplish in my own strength. "The end of a God-ordained vision is God."
January 2, 2011
I'm on page 100 of VISIONEERING BOOK: an extremely timely book, to remind me of my focus. A book to sharpen one's vision and remind of who the author and finisher of the vision really is. I am newly inspired, more so than I have been in a very long time.
January 9, 2014
I am doing a good work and I cannot come down! This was a book that I gobbled up from start to finish.
December 21, 2023
Have you ever read a book by an "expert," found yourself vehemently disagreeing, being afraid to admit it, but then finally deciding: screw it, I'm going to speak up? That's me right now.
First: what’s good about this book? It’s a book expounding on lessons about how to pursue a vision, based on studying the book of Nehemiah from the Bible.
As bizarre as that sounds, I don’t think his extracted truths from the story were too far-fetched, most of the time. I do think his approach alienates any non Christians reading the book, but if he’s decided his target audience is just Christians, so be it.
He does a good job of covering the topic comprehensively and laying his chapters out to take you through the different stages of being a vision-casting leader, from having the vision through to leading a movement/organization, through to sustaining it.
He also does a good job of giving lots of examples from his real life that are visceral and striking. I learned a lot from this book.
And before I get to my objections, one more thing I’m grateful for, which is just that he is addressing one of the most important hidden truths in life in my opinion, which is that all of the big world changing things, anything of import, is driven by the few organizations (whether nonprofits, political organizations , businesses, grass roots movements, whatever) that have clear vision.
I came to this conclusion after reading Start With Why, a book that prompted me to look over all of the examples I could think of and see if they fit this paradigm.
Why is vision so important?
A company that has no vision right now: Star Wars as run by Disney. They have no vision for where they're going over the next several years; they're just throwing stuff against the wall at this point.
All great companies, organizations, and leaders have a solid vision that motivates people to move toward that point: a vision that is specific enough to be risky, and one that for various reasons motivates themselves and others, that connects to a firey passion that will push people way further than just motivating with money or negative consequences.
If you want to learn more about how to tell the difference between an organization with vision and one without it and why this is so freaking important (because it is!) I really recommend reading Start with Why. I think it’s one of the most important nonfiction books of all time; and it doesn't just apply to one industry or just to business; it's a way of looking at life as a whole. What causes should I give myself to? Seriously. Read that book.
But anyways, back to this book. The principle: vision is powerful, motivating, etc. Now the question is, how do I know if I'm onto something? I have a vision idea...now what?
This book's answer? Sit on it. Do nothing. Just think and pray and plan.
I'm going to take a bold stance and say: I think that is some of the worst advice you could possibly give.
But first, let's explore why Stanley advocates for his stance. Let's give his argument a fair shake.
His prime suggestion in this book: when you have a vision, you should basically sit and think a lot, take no action. The reasons?
1) you aren't ready yet,
2) visions are always susceptible (inherently) to criticism, and people will criticize it to death, and
3) you need to be really sure before committing your time.
I'm going to contradict. I think people actually overthink vision too much. The surest way to fail at making something new is to take no action. As a software engineer, I have built many things over the last 12 years, and recently, one of them was my own vision that I promoted inside of a company where I was given a lot of latitude.
So I've learned a lot about startup thinking and product design from books and then applied it to developing real products. I've applied it outside work as well, and I think I've learned a couple of things about developing anything new, not just software.
In my experience, the only way you really know if something is a good vision/idea or not is to test it out in minature form and get feedback from reality (your "customers," or the people who it is intended to impact); action is the only way you know for sure if this is the right thing to focus on above all others. Your experiment may reveal problems you weren't aware of. But even if the first experiment, even if the first 10 experiments "fail", they will also help you find out if this really matters to you. Do I really care about this vision? Do I care about it so much that I should set aside all else to focus on it for several years of my life, maybe my whole life? The answer will come to you, in my experience, if you start down the path. Even if the first 10 experiments fail, if this vision really is burning in your heart, then each failed experiment will only solidify in your heart even more that this is the thing you really care about and no matter how much you fail you can't give up on it.
Now I want to address Andy Stanley's three reasons for waiting and taking no action. His first reason: "you aren't ready yet." Ok first of all, you will never be ready. Second, the only way to get ready is to build experience...by...taking...action. Everything else you "learn" in your head is not real. You haven't learned anything until you take risk and try something. Only then can you refine your vision.
Andy's second reason: visions are inherently susceptible to criticism; once you "go public" lots of people will criticize it. My answer: if you can't develop thick skin then you will never do anything hard in your life, which is another way of saying you will never do anything meaningful in your life. If you don't have thick skin, do whatever it takes to develop it. Hint: partly, the only way you can develop it is by actually doing things and experiencing rejection and criticism.
And that's not meant to minimize how much it sucks to be rejected. I hate it too. But the reality is, no matter how much you "prepare" (and again none of that preparation is real if you're not taking action), none of that will make you immune to criticism. You have to "go public" and solicit other people's help to get anything meaningful done, even personal goals a lot of times. You've got to get over yourself.
Andy's third reason: you need to be really sure before committing your time. My answer: the same, the only way to minimize risk of doing the wrong thing is by testing things out in smaller form.
I've worked at places where we had no contact with customers. Or one place, even worse, where we pretended to...but all that happened was that once a year our product manager had a conference with one segment of our users, and those were basically super-users at that. Once a year! And then whatever ideas she had, those were considered gold, she was now the "user expert"...ugh.
Product discovery is the process of discovering what has value to users (or customers or fans or whoever is on the other end of the thing you want to do). What problems do they have? A little broader, what opportunities do they have (which encompasses desires and wants and needs, not just "problems")? How much does it matter to them to solve that problem? Are they already sacrificing time and money on workarounds? Etc. If you are totally new to this space, I would recommend reading The Mom Test first.
Actually, I would first recommend learning why companies fail who don't do enough customer discovery. And then once you know wy discovery is so important, then I would read the Mom Test because it will explain to you how to avoid the biggest pitfalls in discovery, why most people will lie to you, and what to do about it.
After that, I would recommend reading Zero to One by Thiel if you're creating a totally new thing, or Continuous Discovery Habits by Torres if you are iterating on an existing thing.
Okay, now that all the book recommendations are out of the way. What did I think of this Visioneering book overall?
There were good points in it. It was ain interesting layout; basically he studied the story of Nehemiah from scripture to extract principles from, which to me made it more interesting. He has lots of insights on vision. However at the end of the day, does the book do more good than harm? 50/50. I can't predict that, but I can say, I feel like I've seen it do a lot of harm in the company I'm a part of. If I was trying to set someone on what I think is most likely (in my humble opinion) the best path, I would not recommend this book.
My view of nonfiction is highly practical. If it doesn't do a net goot o people then how can I give it a high star rating? Nevertheless there are good things in it; you could have a net positive experience. There are a lot of good things about it. Hence my rating.
First: what’s good about this book? It’s a book expounding on lessons about how to pursue a vision, based on studying the book of Nehemiah from the Bible.
As bizarre as that sounds, I don’t think his extracted truths from the story were too far-fetched, most of the time. I do think his approach alienates any non Christians reading the book, but if he’s decided his target audience is just Christians, so be it.
He does a good job of covering the topic comprehensively and laying his chapters out to take you through the different stages of being a vision-casting leader, from having the vision through to leading a movement/organization, through to sustaining it.
He also does a good job of giving lots of examples from his real life that are visceral and striking. I learned a lot from this book.
And before I get to my objections, one more thing I’m grateful for, which is just that he is addressing one of the most important hidden truths in life in my opinion, which is that all of the big world changing things, anything of import, is driven by the few organizations (whether nonprofits, political organizations , businesses, grass roots movements, whatever) that have clear vision.
I came to this conclusion after reading Start With Why, a book that prompted me to look over all of the examples I could think of and see if they fit this paradigm.
Why is vision so important?
A company that has no vision right now: Star Wars as run by Disney. They have no vision for where they're going over the next several years; they're just throwing stuff against the wall at this point.
All great companies, organizations, and leaders have a solid vision that motivates people to move toward that point: a vision that is specific enough to be risky, and one that for various reasons motivates themselves and others, that connects to a firey passion that will push people way further than just motivating with money or negative consequences.
If you want to learn more about how to tell the difference between an organization with vision and one without it and why this is so freaking important (because it is!) I really recommend reading Start with Why. I think it’s one of the most important nonfiction books of all time; and it doesn't just apply to one industry or just to business; it's a way of looking at life as a whole. What causes should I give myself to? Seriously. Read that book.
But anyways, back to this book. The principle: vision is powerful, motivating, etc. Now the question is, how do I know if I'm onto something? I have a vision idea...now what?
This book's answer? Sit on it. Do nothing. Just think and pray and plan.
I'm going to take a bold stance and say: I think that is some of the worst advice you could possibly give.
But first, let's explore why Stanley advocates for his stance. Let's give his argument a fair shake.
His prime suggestion in this book: when you have a vision, you should basically sit and think a lot, take no action. The reasons?
1) you aren't ready yet,
2) visions are always susceptible (inherently) to criticism, and people will criticize it to death, and
3) you need to be really sure before committing your time.
I'm going to contradict. I think people actually overthink vision too much. The surest way to fail at making something new is to take no action. As a software engineer, I have built many things over the last 12 years, and recently, one of them was my own vision that I promoted inside of a company where I was given a lot of latitude.
So I've learned a lot about startup thinking and product design from books and then applied it to developing real products. I've applied it outside work as well, and I think I've learned a couple of things about developing anything new, not just software.
In my experience, the only way you really know if something is a good vision/idea or not is to test it out in minature form and get feedback from reality (your "customers," or the people who it is intended to impact); action is the only way you know for sure if this is the right thing to focus on above all others. Your experiment may reveal problems you weren't aware of. But even if the first experiment, even if the first 10 experiments "fail", they will also help you find out if this really matters to you. Do I really care about this vision? Do I care about it so much that I should set aside all else to focus on it for several years of my life, maybe my whole life? The answer will come to you, in my experience, if you start down the path. Even if the first 10 experiments fail, if this vision really is burning in your heart, then each failed experiment will only solidify in your heart even more that this is the thing you really care about and no matter how much you fail you can't give up on it.
Now I want to address Andy Stanley's three reasons for waiting and taking no action. His first reason: "you aren't ready yet." Ok first of all, you will never be ready. Second, the only way to get ready is to build experience...by...taking...action. Everything else you "learn" in your head is not real. You haven't learned anything until you take risk and try something. Only then can you refine your vision.
Andy's second reason: visions are inherently susceptible to criticism; once you "go public" lots of people will criticize it. My answer: if you can't develop thick skin then you will never do anything hard in your life, which is another way of saying you will never do anything meaningful in your life. If you don't have thick skin, do whatever it takes to develop it. Hint: partly, the only way you can develop it is by actually doing things and experiencing rejection and criticism.
And that's not meant to minimize how much it sucks to be rejected. I hate it too. But the reality is, no matter how much you "prepare" (and again none of that preparation is real if you're not taking action), none of that will make you immune to criticism. You have to "go public" and solicit other people's help to get anything meaningful done, even personal goals a lot of times. You've got to get over yourself.
Andy's third reason: you need to be really sure before committing your time. My answer: the same, the only way to minimize risk of doing the wrong thing is by testing things out in smaller form.
I've worked at places where we had no contact with customers. Or one place, even worse, where we pretended to...but all that happened was that once a year our product manager had a conference with one segment of our users, and those were basically super-users at that. Once a year! And then whatever ideas she had, those were considered gold, she was now the "user expert"...ugh.
Product discovery is the process of discovering what has value to users (or customers or fans or whoever is on the other end of the thing you want to do). What problems do they have? A little broader, what opportunities do they have (which encompasses desires and wants and needs, not just "problems")? How much does it matter to them to solve that problem? Are they already sacrificing time and money on workarounds? Etc. If you are totally new to this space, I would recommend reading The Mom Test first.
Actually, I would first recommend learning why companies fail who don't do enough customer discovery. And then once you know wy discovery is so important, then I would read the Mom Test because it will explain to you how to avoid the biggest pitfalls in discovery, why most people will lie to you, and what to do about it.
After that, I would recommend reading Zero to One by Thiel if you're creating a totally new thing, or Continuous Discovery Habits by Torres if you are iterating on an existing thing.
Okay, now that all the book recommendations are out of the way. What did I think of this Visioneering book overall?
There were good points in it. It was ain interesting layout; basically he studied the story of Nehemiah from scripture to extract principles from, which to me made it more interesting. He has lots of insights on vision. However at the end of the day, does the book do more good than harm? 50/50. I can't predict that, but I can say, I feel like I've seen it do a lot of harm in the company I'm a part of. If I was trying to set someone on what I think is most likely (in my humble opinion) the best path, I would not recommend this book.
My view of nonfiction is highly practical. If it doesn't do a net goot o people then how can I give it a high star rating? Nevertheless there are good things in it; you could have a net positive experience. There are a lot of good things about it. Hence my rating.
June 5, 2019
Andy Stanley is one of my favorite leadership voices, through his books and leadership podcast. In this book, he uses the biblical story of Nehemiah and his 20 Building Blocks to illustrate vision. He builds a compelling case for the necessity of a clear, God-ordained vision for each of the roles of your life.
He describes visioneering as a preferred future, a destination. Visioneering is the engineering of a vision. It’s the process one follows to develop and maintain vision. Vision is a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be.
Stanley illustrates visioneering as:
Visioneering =Inspiration + Conviction + Action + Determination + Completion
His 20 Building Blocks are:
A vision begins as a concern.
A vision does not necessarily require immediate action.
Pray for opportunities and plan as if you expect God to answer your prayers.
God is using your circumstances to position and prepare you to accomplish His vision for your life.
What God originates, he orchestrates.
Walk before you talk; investigate before you initiate.
Communicate your vision as a solution to a problem that must be addressed immediately.
Cast your vision to the appropriate people at the appropriate time.
Don’t expect others to take greater risks or make greater sacrifices than you have.
Don’t confuse your plans with God’s vision.
Visions are refined – they don’t change; plans are revised – they rarely stay the same.
Respond to criticism with prayer, remembrance, and if necessary, a revision of the plan.
Visions thrive in an environment of unity; they die in an environment of division.
Abandon the vision before you abandon your moral authority.
Don’t get distracted.
There is divine potential in all you envision to do.
The end of a God-ordained vision is God.
Maintaining a vision requires adherence to a set of core beliefs and behaviors.
Visions require constant attention.
Maintaining a vision requires bold leadership.
There is much of value in this book, and I would recommend that all leaders read it. A few takeaways are:
Vision takes praying and planning.
Faith is the essential ingredient of visioning.
God given visions don’t always seem practical.
A vision is always a solution to a problem.
Vision has a price. “Sacrifice”
In addition to using Nehemiah’s story, Stanley uses several stories throughout the book to illustrate his points about vision.
Here are a few of the best quotes from the book:
Vision-driven people are motivated people. Find me a man or woman who lacks motivation and I’ll show you someone with little or no vision. Ideas, yes. Dreams, maybe. Vision, not a chance.
Vision will prioritize your values. A clear vision has the power to bring what’s most important to the surface of your schedule and lifestyle.
Dreamers dream about things being different. Visionaries envision themselves making a difference.
God inspired visions ultimately lead back to God.
In order to share your vision convincingly, you must be able to state the problem your vision addresses along with a solution to the problem.
Any vision worth pursuing will demand sacrifice and risk. You will be called upon to give up the actual good for the potential best.
Be stubborn about the vision. Be flexible with your plan.
Your influence is far more critical to the success of your vision than your position.
Moral authority is not achieved overnight. It is not something you can manufacture at will. Moral authority is developed through a proper response to circumstances, circumstances over which you have no control.
As Christians, we do not have a right to take our talents, abilities, experiences, opportunities, and education and run off in any direction we please. We lost that right at Calvary. …At the same time, we have no right to live visionless lives either. If God—think about it—if God has a vision for what you are to do with your allotment of years, you had better get in on it. What a tragedy to miss it. Missing out on God’s plan for our lives must be the greatest tragedy this side of eternity.
What could be and should be can’t be until God is ready for it to be.
Three important things are taking place while we wait:
The vision matures in us.
We mature in preparation for the vision.
God is at work behind the scenes preparing the way.”
Prayer is critical to vision development. Here’s why: We see what we are looking for; we often miss what we don’t expect to see. …Prayer keeps us looking. Prayer keeps the burden fresh. It keeps our eyes and hearts in an expectant mode. Prayer doesn’t force God’s hand. But it keeps us on the lookout for His intervention. Prayer sensitizes us to subtle changes in the landscape of our circumstances.
God is using your circumstances to prepare you to accomplish His vision for your life. Your present circumstances are part of the vision. You are not wasting your time. You are not spinning your wheels. You are not wandering in the wilderness. If you are ‘seeking first’ His kingdom where you are, then where you are is where He has positioned you. And He has positioned you there with a purpose in mind.
An agonizingly important principle: what always precedes how. You will know what God has put in your heart to do before you know how He intends to bring it about. …How is never a problem for God. It is usually a big problem for us. But how is God’s specialty.
I think it is safe to assume that most Christians are not attempting anything that requires God’s intervention. They are not looking for God to do anything special. They are not aware that they need Him to do anything special. They are trusting that He will step in once they breathe their last breath. But other than that, they live as if they have everything under control. If you want to know how you score on this issue, listen to your prayers and prayer requests. What do you pray for? What are the things you find yourself praying for night after night? Those are your passions. Those are the things that matter most to you. Pretty scary, huh? A little embarrassing? Somewhat self-centered? What was your response the last time someone asked you for a prayer request? Did you have to think for a moment? Was your response kind of … well … less than inspiring? Or did your eyes light up as you thought about that thing, that person, that ministry you were trusting God for? Other than Heaven, and possibly your health, what are you consciously depending on God to do?
This world is filled with people who stopped one question short of finding an avenue that would allow them to pursue their vision. Don’t let the discouragement of a few slammed doors cause you to walk away from the vision God has birthed in your heart. Investigate. Look around. Think outside the lines. Few destinations have only one point of access. The same is true of your vision. If your initial approach is blocked, look for alternatives. Don’t give up too quickly. You may be one question away from discovering the key that will unlock the door that stands between you and God’s vision for your life. God will use this period of investigation to confirm, sharpen, and, sometimes, redirect your vision.
When a man or woman is willing to give up something valuable for a God-ordained vision, God looks upon it as worship.
Our natural response to criticism is to defend ourselves. This is especially true when our vision is under attack. We are tempted to begin a dialogue with our critics or with those who are parroting their criticism. Consequently, we waste energy and thought trying to answer questions for people who are often not really interested in answers. Without realizing it, our focus begins to shift. Instead of being vision centered, we slowly become critic centered.
You have a destiny to fulfill. God has placed before you opportunities and responsibilities that are brimming with divine significance. He has given you gifts, talents, and relationships that are waiting to be exploited on behalf of His kingdom.
If you’ve got a big dream to pursue, Visioneering by Andy Stanley could be a big help. You can read my full book review by clicking here. Below are 11 quotes from this book which especially caught my eye.
As Christians, we do not have a right to take our talents, abilities, experiences, opportunities, and education and run off in any direction we please. We lost that right at Calvary. …At the same time, we have no right to live visionless lives either. If God—think about it—if God has a vision for what you are to do with your allotment of years, you had better get in on it. What a tragedy to miss it. Missing out on God’s plan for our lives must be the greatest tragedy this side of eternity.
What could be and should be can’t be until God is ready for it to be.”
Everybody has a mental picture of what could be and should be for his life. But not everybody will pay the price to turn that mental image into reality.
Pay the price. Embrace the vision. After all, everybody ends up somewhere in life. Some people end up somewhere on purpose. Those are the ones with vision. You have the opportunity to end up somewhere on purpose.
He describes visioneering as a preferred future, a destination. Visioneering is the engineering of a vision. It’s the process one follows to develop and maintain vision. Vision is a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be.
Stanley illustrates visioneering as:
Visioneering =Inspiration + Conviction + Action + Determination + Completion
His 20 Building Blocks are:
A vision begins as a concern.
A vision does not necessarily require immediate action.
Pray for opportunities and plan as if you expect God to answer your prayers.
God is using your circumstances to position and prepare you to accomplish His vision for your life.
What God originates, he orchestrates.
Walk before you talk; investigate before you initiate.
Communicate your vision as a solution to a problem that must be addressed immediately.
Cast your vision to the appropriate people at the appropriate time.
Don’t expect others to take greater risks or make greater sacrifices than you have.
Don’t confuse your plans with God’s vision.
Visions are refined – they don’t change; plans are revised – they rarely stay the same.
Respond to criticism with prayer, remembrance, and if necessary, a revision of the plan.
Visions thrive in an environment of unity; they die in an environment of division.
Abandon the vision before you abandon your moral authority.
Don’t get distracted.
There is divine potential in all you envision to do.
The end of a God-ordained vision is God.
Maintaining a vision requires adherence to a set of core beliefs and behaviors.
Visions require constant attention.
Maintaining a vision requires bold leadership.
There is much of value in this book, and I would recommend that all leaders read it. A few takeaways are:
Vision takes praying and planning.
Faith is the essential ingredient of visioning.
God given visions don’t always seem practical.
A vision is always a solution to a problem.
Vision has a price. “Sacrifice”
In addition to using Nehemiah’s story, Stanley uses several stories throughout the book to illustrate his points about vision.
Here are a few of the best quotes from the book:
Vision-driven people are motivated people. Find me a man or woman who lacks motivation and I’ll show you someone with little or no vision. Ideas, yes. Dreams, maybe. Vision, not a chance.
Vision will prioritize your values. A clear vision has the power to bring what’s most important to the surface of your schedule and lifestyle.
Dreamers dream about things being different. Visionaries envision themselves making a difference.
God inspired visions ultimately lead back to God.
In order to share your vision convincingly, you must be able to state the problem your vision addresses along with a solution to the problem.
Any vision worth pursuing will demand sacrifice and risk. You will be called upon to give up the actual good for the potential best.
Be stubborn about the vision. Be flexible with your plan.
Your influence is far more critical to the success of your vision than your position.
Moral authority is not achieved overnight. It is not something you can manufacture at will. Moral authority is developed through a proper response to circumstances, circumstances over which you have no control.
As Christians, we do not have a right to take our talents, abilities, experiences, opportunities, and education and run off in any direction we please. We lost that right at Calvary. …At the same time, we have no right to live visionless lives either. If God—think about it—if God has a vision for what you are to do with your allotment of years, you had better get in on it. What a tragedy to miss it. Missing out on God’s plan for our lives must be the greatest tragedy this side of eternity.
What could be and should be can’t be until God is ready for it to be.
Three important things are taking place while we wait:
The vision matures in us.
We mature in preparation for the vision.
God is at work behind the scenes preparing the way.”
Prayer is critical to vision development. Here’s why: We see what we are looking for; we often miss what we don’t expect to see. …Prayer keeps us looking. Prayer keeps the burden fresh. It keeps our eyes and hearts in an expectant mode. Prayer doesn’t force God’s hand. But it keeps us on the lookout for His intervention. Prayer sensitizes us to subtle changes in the landscape of our circumstances.
God is using your circumstances to prepare you to accomplish His vision for your life. Your present circumstances are part of the vision. You are not wasting your time. You are not spinning your wheels. You are not wandering in the wilderness. If you are ‘seeking first’ His kingdom where you are, then where you are is where He has positioned you. And He has positioned you there with a purpose in mind.
An agonizingly important principle: what always precedes how. You will know what God has put in your heart to do before you know how He intends to bring it about. …How is never a problem for God. It is usually a big problem for us. But how is God’s specialty.
I think it is safe to assume that most Christians are not attempting anything that requires God’s intervention. They are not looking for God to do anything special. They are not aware that they need Him to do anything special. They are trusting that He will step in once they breathe their last breath. But other than that, they live as if they have everything under control. If you want to know how you score on this issue, listen to your prayers and prayer requests. What do you pray for? What are the things you find yourself praying for night after night? Those are your passions. Those are the things that matter most to you. Pretty scary, huh? A little embarrassing? Somewhat self-centered? What was your response the last time someone asked you for a prayer request? Did you have to think for a moment? Was your response kind of … well … less than inspiring? Or did your eyes light up as you thought about that thing, that person, that ministry you were trusting God for? Other than Heaven, and possibly your health, what are you consciously depending on God to do?
This world is filled with people who stopped one question short of finding an avenue that would allow them to pursue their vision. Don’t let the discouragement of a few slammed doors cause you to walk away from the vision God has birthed in your heart. Investigate. Look around. Think outside the lines. Few destinations have only one point of access. The same is true of your vision. If your initial approach is blocked, look for alternatives. Don’t give up too quickly. You may be one question away from discovering the key that will unlock the door that stands between you and God’s vision for your life. God will use this period of investigation to confirm, sharpen, and, sometimes, redirect your vision.
When a man or woman is willing to give up something valuable for a God-ordained vision, God looks upon it as worship.
Our natural response to criticism is to defend ourselves. This is especially true when our vision is under attack. We are tempted to begin a dialogue with our critics or with those who are parroting their criticism. Consequently, we waste energy and thought trying to answer questions for people who are often not really interested in answers. Without realizing it, our focus begins to shift. Instead of being vision centered, we slowly become critic centered.
You have a destiny to fulfill. God has placed before you opportunities and responsibilities that are brimming with divine significance. He has given you gifts, talents, and relationships that are waiting to be exploited on behalf of His kingdom.
If you’ve got a big dream to pursue, Visioneering by Andy Stanley could be a big help. You can read my full book review by clicking here. Below are 11 quotes from this book which especially caught my eye.
As Christians, we do not have a right to take our talents, abilities, experiences, opportunities, and education and run off in any direction we please. We lost that right at Calvary. …At the same time, we have no right to live visionless lives either. If God—think about it—if God has a vision for what you are to do with your allotment of years, you had better get in on it. What a tragedy to miss it. Missing out on God’s plan for our lives must be the greatest tragedy this side of eternity.
What could be and should be can’t be until God is ready for it to be.”
Everybody has a mental picture of what could be and should be for his life. But not everybody will pay the price to turn that mental image into reality.
Pay the price. Embrace the vision. After all, everybody ends up somewhere in life. Some people end up somewhere on purpose. Those are the ones with vision. You have the opportunity to end up somewhere on purpose.
August 19, 2017
With so much to do every day, I find myself struggling to remained focused on the God-ordained vision for my life. Everyone has one, you may just not have found it yet. This book takes you on a journey through many stories, including CEOs and Nehemiah, where the person treads through the good and bad but is constantly focused on their God-ordained vision for their life.
Here is the concluding few paragraphs of the book that nicely summarize the author's point:
"Everybody has a mental picture what could and should be for his life. But not everybody will pay the price to turn that mental image into reality.
If you are consumed with tension between what is and what could be, if you find yourself emotionally involved--frustrated, brokenhearted, maybe even angry--with the way things are, and if you believe God is behind your anguish, then chances are you are on the brink of something divine. Something too important to walk away from.
Pay the price.
Embrace the vision.
After all, everybody ends up somewhere in life.
You have the opportunity to end up somewhere on purpose."
There are days when I struggle with what I believe my God-ordained vision is of helping others be more prosperous personally, financially, emotionally, and more, but this must start with understanding that God is always with me along the way, no matter how much I may want to quit.
There have certainly been struggles along my journey, and I'm sure you have had them as well, but knowing that a loving God is on your side means that everything is possible. Don't let your vision pass you by or be diluted because of the unknown.
I highly recommend this book if you are struggling with your God-ordained vision, or with planning of any kind. You will find the book of value and may even brighten your path to achieving that long-desired courage to step forward in your dreams.
Good luck! You can do it.
Here is the concluding few paragraphs of the book that nicely summarize the author's point:
"Everybody has a mental picture what could and should be for his life. But not everybody will pay the price to turn that mental image into reality.
If you are consumed with tension between what is and what could be, if you find yourself emotionally involved--frustrated, brokenhearted, maybe even angry--with the way things are, and if you believe God is behind your anguish, then chances are you are on the brink of something divine. Something too important to walk away from.
Pay the price.
Embrace the vision.
After all, everybody ends up somewhere in life.
You have the opportunity to end up somewhere on purpose."
There are days when I struggle with what I believe my God-ordained vision is of helping others be more prosperous personally, financially, emotionally, and more, but this must start with understanding that God is always with me along the way, no matter how much I may want to quit.
There have certainly been struggles along my journey, and I'm sure you have had them as well, but knowing that a loving God is on your side means that everything is possible. Don't let your vision pass you by or be diluted because of the unknown.
I highly recommend this book if you are struggling with your God-ordained vision, or with planning of any kind. You will find the book of value and may even brighten your path to achieving that long-desired courage to step forward in your dreams.
Good luck! You can do it.
September 2, 2025
Vedy good. Goes through the book of Nehemiah and different aspects of catching, casting and carrying a vision. Was so awesome reading this book, while diving into the book of Nehemiah.
The author defines vision as having a discontentment with the way things are and seeing something that should be done and by Gods power will be done.
Visioneering = inspiration + conviction + action + determination + completion
Catching: Visions are God-ordained. Something that God places on our hearts to do. He’ll put the “what” on our hearts, but not always the “how”. This is where faith/dependence on God is necessary to trust in Him to work out the how while we focus on what He has called us to. God ordained visions are only possible by His intervention, this is what brings Him glory when it’s obvious the finger of God is on the vision.
Casting: Nehemiah casted the vision to those around him by showing the people what needs to be done and how God has been working already for this to be accomplished (Nehemiah 2:17-18).
Carrying:
• A leader leads by example to be able to carry the vision. “People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision. People buy into the vision after the leader buys into it”. Moral authority or influence is credibility received from walking out with conviction what you profess. Nehemiah did this in 5:15-16 by committing himself to the work as well. He set the example in faith and in hard work. People followed him as a result.
• have to carry the vision through opposition, criticism and disappointment
But in the last chapter, the author brings it to a focus that the goal is not the vision, but for God to be glorified. Accomplishing tall dreams is not for us to get credited for carrying it out, but for God to be glorified because it’s obvious this could not have been done without His hand in it. 2 Samuel 7:18
The author defines vision as having a discontentment with the way things are and seeing something that should be done and by Gods power will be done.
Visioneering = inspiration + conviction + action + determination + completion
Catching: Visions are God-ordained. Something that God places on our hearts to do. He’ll put the “what” on our hearts, but not always the “how”. This is where faith/dependence on God is necessary to trust in Him to work out the how while we focus on what He has called us to. God ordained visions are only possible by His intervention, this is what brings Him glory when it’s obvious the finger of God is on the vision.
Casting: Nehemiah casted the vision to those around him by showing the people what needs to be done and how God has been working already for this to be accomplished (Nehemiah 2:17-18).
Carrying:
• A leader leads by example to be able to carry the vision. “People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision. People buy into the vision after the leader buys into it”. Moral authority or influence is credibility received from walking out with conviction what you profess. Nehemiah did this in 5:15-16 by committing himself to the work as well. He set the example in faith and in hard work. People followed him as a result.
• have to carry the vision through opposition, criticism and disappointment
But in the last chapter, the author brings it to a focus that the goal is not the vision, but for God to be glorified. Accomplishing tall dreams is not for us to get credited for carrying it out, but for God to be glorified because it’s obvious this could not have been done without His hand in it. 2 Samuel 7:18
April 2, 2019
I held onto this book for a long time before actually finishing it. Why did it take me so long to begin reading it? Well, simply put, I wasn’t operating with a vision that was worth investing the time in developing. In other words, I was in a season of maintaining. But, God has stirred in my soul (and many others around me) a vision of raising up a new generation of youth who are captivated by living out their faith in a way that actually influences the world. This book has helped guide the development of this vision unlike any book I had read before. It is both aspirational & practical. It points towards a future and yet also gives you the tools to get there. Using the story of Nehemiah’s incredible journey of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Andy Stanley inspires and equips the reader to press into their vision, despite all odds and despite all opposition. I was both deeply encouraged and challenged by this book. And as always, Stanley writes with such ease and tangibility. I am better for reading it!
May 18, 2017
I was skeptical about this book at first but soon realized how valuable this book can be at the right time. The author takes the book of Nehemiah and breaks down the story encouraging the reader to, "stay on your wall", whatever that might be. In an age of instant gratification, this is vital for your vision to be successful. There is a common belief out there describing "green lights" in your vision as everything going well for you. Andy makes it clear, you most often will encounter trial and difficulty along the way. And in many cases, a lack of financial success. Does that mean you should abandon your vision? Certainly not! Move forward with what God has called you to do and, "Stay On Your Wall". This has been a great source of encouragement to me in a time of sacrifice and challenge.
July 14, 2018
I LOVED this book.
It's exactly what I needed for such a time as this. I've always liked Andy Stanley's book, but this one is definitely my favorite.
"Visioneering" helps you understand practical and biblical principles to accomplish the vision the Lord has placed in your heart, and it brilliantly uses Nehemiah's experience to do that. On this book, I read truth in its purest form, which was so refreshing. It teaches you to trust God's timing and process to develop His plan and the part we play in it.
It was life-changing. I can't recommend it enough.
It's exactly what I needed for such a time as this. I've always liked Andy Stanley's book, but this one is definitely my favorite.
"Visioneering" helps you understand practical and biblical principles to accomplish the vision the Lord has placed in your heart, and it brilliantly uses Nehemiah's experience to do that. On this book, I read truth in its purest form, which was so refreshing. It teaches you to trust God's timing and process to develop His plan and the part we play in it.
It was life-changing. I can't recommend it enough.
September 23, 2022
"Stay On Your Wall"
Nehemiah 6:3-4, 6b, 16b “And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? 4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner."
6b "…O God, strengthen my hands."
16b "…this work was wrought of our God.”
Nehemiah 6:3-4, 6b, 16b “And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? 4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner."
6b "…O God, strengthen my hands."
16b "…this work was wrought of our God.”
December 27, 2024
A great book for all leaders! I am encouraged and re-invigorated after having read this one. I really want to make some headway with my team in 2025 and beyond.
Also, with this book, I've achieved my upward-revised goal for # books to read this year: 40! A new personal best. I'm thinking about reading 52, i.e. one per week, next year...we'll see!
Also, with this book, I've achieved my upward-revised goal for # books to read this year: 40! A new personal best. I'm thinking about reading 52, i.e. one per week, next year...we'll see!
November 11, 2021
This book made me think about my own God-giving identity and how it shapes the vision for what I hope to do in ministry/leadership. Some really great nuggets of just prudent wisdom also, such as, “We don’t just want to get somewhere. We want to get somewhere on purpose.”
Great book for anyone wondering, “who am I? And how should it inform what I do?”
Great book for anyone wondering, “who am I? And how should it inform what I do?”
January 8, 2019
I 'unhitched' myself from Andy Stanley.
February 21, 2024
3.0 ⭑
This book was fine, but nothing to write home about. Enjoyable while reading and Nehemiah’s story was interesting- however now that I have finished it, it was not overly compelling.
This book was fine, but nothing to write home about. Enjoyable while reading and Nehemiah’s story was interesting- however now that I have finished it, it was not overly compelling.
May 8, 2024
Good stuff
May 18, 2022
A good read to evaluate your future. Just not a book I would read for pleasure.
Many good points made.
Many things taken to heart and to my mind to apply.
Yet again. Not a book I would read for pleasure purposes.
Many good points made.
Many things taken to heart and to my mind to apply.
Yet again. Not a book I would read for pleasure purposes.
July 6, 2017
Practical book about pursuing your vision
We always hope of having 1 grand vision, but reality is that we have different normal visions in different areas of our lives. This book is for people with a grand vision and for people, like me, with ordinary visions.
We always hope of having 1 grand vision, but reality is that we have different normal visions in different areas of our lives. This book is for people with a grand vision and for people, like me, with ordinary visions.
October 15, 2016
This book has been around for a while, but it was a new read to me. Whether you have a huge, world changing vision, or a small personal vision for your life, this book is for you. It is encouraging and uplifting whatever stage of the vision process you are in.
Having and knowing God is with us and has a good future and destiny for you makes this book a step above any other self-help book on this subject. Ultimately whatever God desires for our lives can not compare to any earthly treasure or accolades we could receive otherwise. We can do something on our own but our some thing will not have the eternal consequence that God's plan has for us.
I like that this book had a study/discussion guide at the end of the book and fill-in exercises at the end of each chapter for the reader to evaluate their vision as they go. I really appreciated the in-depth look into the book of Nehemiah in the Bible and how it relates to his having a big vision that could not be accomplished on his own. If we are doing what God has called us to do, then GOD will get the job done to completion, NOT US!
I received this book from the publisher but was not required to leave a review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Having and knowing God is with us and has a good future and destiny for you makes this book a step above any other self-help book on this subject. Ultimately whatever God desires for our lives can not compare to any earthly treasure or accolades we could receive otherwise. We can do something on our own but our some thing will not have the eternal consequence that God's plan has for us.
I like that this book had a study/discussion guide at the end of the book and fill-in exercises at the end of each chapter for the reader to evaluate their vision as they go. I really appreciated the in-depth look into the book of Nehemiah in the Bible and how it relates to his having a big vision that could not be accomplished on his own. If we are doing what God has called us to do, then GOD will get the job done to completion, NOT US!
I received this book from the publisher but was not required to leave a review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
June 3, 2014
I want to give this book 5 stars. I absolutely LOVE Andy Stanley and I love leadership, however I didn't have this drive to run back to this book in order to keep reading it. I would probably give it 3.5 stars if I could. The principles were solid and the correlation with the life of Nehemiah was great. However, it just lacked something for me. It's worth a one time through, but I probably won't reread this one for awhile.
The two life changing quotes I received from this book:
"I am doing a good work and I can't come down."
- this is a saying I need to practice MUCH MORE in my life -
"At the end of every God ordained vision is God."
- It is HIS story and HIS vison... I'm just a piece of the puzzle -
The two life changing quotes I received from this book:
"I am doing a good work and I can't come down."
- this is a saying I need to practice MUCH MORE in my life -
"At the end of every God ordained vision is God."
- It is HIS story and HIS vison... I'm just a piece of the puzzle -
December 5, 2023
Here’s what I texted a pastor friend of mine: " I'm halfway through Andy Stanley's book Visioneering, which is surprisingly good. I didn’t expect it to be bad, but I DID expect it to be more ‘ho-hum.’ It is good.
“He's going through Nehemiah almost chapter by chapter, explaining the vision it took to get the wall built.
“It articulates some of the reasons your church is effective in certain areas (like membership retention, for example). It’s a quick and easy read. If anything, Andy Stanley is a great leader. I listen to his podcast."
“He's going through Nehemiah almost chapter by chapter, explaining the vision it took to get the wall built.
“It articulates some of the reasons your church is effective in certain areas (like membership retention, for example). It’s a quick and easy read. If anything, Andy Stanley is a great leader. I listen to his podcast."
September 3, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Whether you want to develop a vision for your church, ministry, family or organization, this book takes you through the book of Nehemiah and pull out insights and wisdom to help you with cast and carry out your vision. I love that Andy pointed out that our vision is ultimately about God and His Glory. Read this book and go do something!
May 19, 2015
This year is the third time I have read this wonderful book. Each time I glean incredible nuggets out of thin air. I would not start a business without this book. I would not be a leader without this book. This book is an essential tool to both leadership and business.
July 4, 2016
A book that opens hearts, directs paths, and reinforces vision. Great read!!
December 15, 2018
Some good advice is found in the pages of this book but ultimately nothing life changing. Andy Stanley is a gifted writer and communicator but this book was more generalities.
Read
March 31, 2022Because you were made by an endlessly creative God, you must use your talents and strengths to serve your vision, which is entwined with his purpose. Staying focused on your vision gives your life purpose and fulfillment.
And here’s some more actionable advice:
Seek out the advice of an inspirational mentor.
Think of at least one person you know who is living a life of clear purpose and direction that’s consistent with a godly life. Write down the ways in which you can recognize vision in his actions. Contact this person and make a formal appointment you can discuss the steps he took to translate vision to reality.
---
Visioneering is the sum total of inspiration, conviction, action, determination, and completion.
Life is a journey. Yes, you’re right – there’s nothing earth-shattering about this stale old cliché. But here’s a question that might freshen it up a bit: If life is a journey, then what kind of journey is it?
Is it an aimless road trip with no real destination – a trip that, though enjoyable at times, leads you nowhere, thanks to poor planning and disorganization? Or is it a different kind of journey – one that leaves room for pleasant detours and sightseeing but still has a set destination?
If your life sounds like option two, you might already be a visioneer.
The key message here is: Visioneering is the sum total of inspiration, conviction, action, determination, and completion.
Visioneering means clearly envisioning your future as it ties to God’s plan, and keeping that vision in the foreground as you plan your life. Visioneering brings clarity and purpose to a meandering, chaotic life by bringing four elements to it: passion, motivation, direction, and purpose.
How do these values play out in the life of a Christian? Well, we’re all a product of Christ’s vision – each of us was created to contribute in some unique way to the realization of his vision.
We also each come preprogrammed with a vision, unique to us and part of Christ's creative plan. If we can discern that vision, it’ll contribute to the completion of Christ's vision. Here’s how you can tell a vision from a whim or a fleeting idea: A vision begins with hearing, reading, or seeing something that generates concern. For example, say you read an article about how difficult it is for impoverished children to reach their potential. This may generate within you a deep concern for these children.
But is that a vision? After all, the world contains many things to be concerned about: those impoverished children, yes, but also stray cats, deforestation, and the epidemic of loneliness among the elderly. So which one is it? How can you tell which issue will generate your vision?
Simply ask yourself which one breaks your heart.
A vision that’s ordained by God feels like a moral imperative. What’s more, it connects to something that’s happening in the world right now, with the current generation. When you’ve honed in on a concern that you simply can’t rest without attempting to resolve, you’ve identified your inspiration.
Once you’ve done this, wait! Your vision needs to mature before you take action, and God will send you a sign when your vision reaches maturity.
And here’s some more actionable advice:
Seek out the advice of an inspirational mentor.
Think of at least one person you know who is living a life of clear purpose and direction that’s consistent with a godly life. Write down the ways in which you can recognize vision in his actions. Contact this person and make a formal appointment you can discuss the steps he took to translate vision to reality.
---
Visioneering is the sum total of inspiration, conviction, action, determination, and completion.
Life is a journey. Yes, you’re right – there’s nothing earth-shattering about this stale old cliché. But here’s a question that might freshen it up a bit: If life is a journey, then what kind of journey is it?
Is it an aimless road trip with no real destination – a trip that, though enjoyable at times, leads you nowhere, thanks to poor planning and disorganization? Or is it a different kind of journey – one that leaves room for pleasant detours and sightseeing but still has a set destination?
If your life sounds like option two, you might already be a visioneer.
The key message here is: Visioneering is the sum total of inspiration, conviction, action, determination, and completion.
Visioneering means clearly envisioning your future as it ties to God’s plan, and keeping that vision in the foreground as you plan your life. Visioneering brings clarity and purpose to a meandering, chaotic life by bringing four elements to it: passion, motivation, direction, and purpose.
How do these values play out in the life of a Christian? Well, we’re all a product of Christ’s vision – each of us was created to contribute in some unique way to the realization of his vision.
We also each come preprogrammed with a vision, unique to us and part of Christ's creative plan. If we can discern that vision, it’ll contribute to the completion of Christ's vision. Here’s how you can tell a vision from a whim or a fleeting idea: A vision begins with hearing, reading, or seeing something that generates concern. For example, say you read an article about how difficult it is for impoverished children to reach their potential. This may generate within you a deep concern for these children.
But is that a vision? After all, the world contains many things to be concerned about: those impoverished children, yes, but also stray cats, deforestation, and the epidemic of loneliness among the elderly. So which one is it? How can you tell which issue will generate your vision?
Simply ask yourself which one breaks your heart.
A vision that’s ordained by God feels like a moral imperative. What’s more, it connects to something that’s happening in the world right now, with the current generation. When you’ve honed in on a concern that you simply can’t rest without attempting to resolve, you’ve identified your inspiration.
Once you’ve done this, wait! Your vision needs to mature before you take action, and God will send you a sign when your vision reaches maturity.
May 5, 2021
I read the 1999 original book twice. Stanley has updated some of his material, most of his illustrations, and the practical application at the end of each chapter of the principles taught in the chapter. The new version of Visioneering now contain discussion questions at the back of the book. The subtitle has changed too. Originally it was "God's blueprint for developing and maintaining vision." In the revised and updated version the subtitle reads; "Your Guide for Discovering and Maintaining Personal Vision." The changes reflect a change in the target audience. Whereas the first book was aimed primarily at leaders--secular or church-related--who want to be godly leaders. The updated version now includes parents as leaders of their families as well as the business and ecclesiastical leaders. The move toward inclusivity and encouraging parents to think and to strategize as leaders of their household is a good move.
Honestly, I really like this book! I got as much or more out of it the third time through as I did the previous two. Some of that is because I have matured as a person and as a leader and I have a greater understanding and appreciation of what Stanley is saying in this book. And some of it is because the depth at which Stanley explores the whole process of visioneering requires multiple reads to have it all sink in.
Early on in the introduction, Stanley boils down "visioneering" to an equation. Visioneering + inspiration + conviction + action + determination + completion. Visioneering is about engineering the meaning and purpose of your life by discerning the plans God has for your life and connecting the two. Doing that is a process, and the book walks you through the process.
Saying that does not mean visioneering is cut-and-dried or one-size-fits-all. All visions are unique and tailor-made for each individual or individual family, business, or church.
Throughout the book Stanley follows the biblical story of Nehemiah--a Jew living in Persia and serving the king. Nehemiah gets a vision--a burden on his heart--to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The book of Nehemiah tells the story of how the namesake goes from wine-taster to the king to wall-builder of Jerusalem. Along the way Stanley highlights the visioneering and leadership skills Nehemiah exhibits which helps him accomplish his task, his purpose in life, his vision. We can use Nehemiah as a role model to help us see and do God's vision for our lives.
As Stanley said in his Introduction: "Everybody ends up somewhere in life. A few people end up somewhere on purpose." Visioneering will help you find and fulfill your purpose in life.
Honestly, I really like this book! I got as much or more out of it the third time through as I did the previous two. Some of that is because I have matured as a person and as a leader and I have a greater understanding and appreciation of what Stanley is saying in this book. And some of it is because the depth at which Stanley explores the whole process of visioneering requires multiple reads to have it all sink in.
Early on in the introduction, Stanley boils down "visioneering" to an equation. Visioneering + inspiration + conviction + action + determination + completion. Visioneering is about engineering the meaning and purpose of your life by discerning the plans God has for your life and connecting the two. Doing that is a process, and the book walks you through the process.
Saying that does not mean visioneering is cut-and-dried or one-size-fits-all. All visions are unique and tailor-made for each individual or individual family, business, or church.
Throughout the book Stanley follows the biblical story of Nehemiah--a Jew living in Persia and serving the king. Nehemiah gets a vision--a burden on his heart--to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The book of Nehemiah tells the story of how the namesake goes from wine-taster to the king to wall-builder of Jerusalem. Along the way Stanley highlights the visioneering and leadership skills Nehemiah exhibits which helps him accomplish his task, his purpose in life, his vision. We can use Nehemiah as a role model to help us see and do God's vision for our lives.
As Stanley said in his Introduction: "Everybody ends up somewhere in life. A few people end up somewhere on purpose." Visioneering will help you find and fulfill your purpose in life.
May 5, 2021
If you are wrestling with your life's mission, a vision you have, or wondering what God is calling you to, you will enjoy this book. For me, it was one of those books that resonated really well with what I'm going through and offered just what I needed. The beginning really encouraged me, more so than the rest, but the whole book is good.
There are things God is calling you to now. If you are a husband, He is calling you to lay down your life for your wife. If you are a father, He is calling you to bring your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Whatever your job title is, God is calling you to be a faithful and hardworking steward in that position. Those are the things that we need to focus on the most. We need to make sure we are upholding those to the best of our ability before we consider anything else.
There might be something you're wrestling with. You feel like the Lord is calling you to more than the obvious. Maybe you're in a job you don't feel utilizes the gifts God has given you. Maybe you dream of earning an income doing something you are actually passionate about.
If there is a vision on your heart, take it to the Lord. Wrestle with Him about it. Wrestle until you get an answer. The answer might be wait. And that's okay. Don't focus so much on the questions you don't have answers to. Focus on what you do have the answers to and go from there.
Be faithful with the little. God has a way of rewarding those who are faithful with what they have already been given and giving them more to be responsible for. Be faithful with what you know you ought to, and tend to what the Lord sees fit to bring into your path.
If you have something burning in you that you can't ignore any longer, take action. Don't pursue your vision in haste. Be patient. If He is originating it in you, He will ensure it comes to pass.
There are things God is calling you to now. If you are a husband, He is calling you to lay down your life for your wife. If you are a father, He is calling you to bring your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Whatever your job title is, God is calling you to be a faithful and hardworking steward in that position. Those are the things that we need to focus on the most. We need to make sure we are upholding those to the best of our ability before we consider anything else.
There might be something you're wrestling with. You feel like the Lord is calling you to more than the obvious. Maybe you're in a job you don't feel utilizes the gifts God has given you. Maybe you dream of earning an income doing something you are actually passionate about.
If there is a vision on your heart, take it to the Lord. Wrestle with Him about it. Wrestle until you get an answer. The answer might be wait. And that's okay. Don't focus so much on the questions you don't have answers to. Focus on what you do have the answers to and go from there.
Be faithful with the little. God has a way of rewarding those who are faithful with what they have already been given and giving them more to be responsible for. Be faithful with what you know you ought to, and tend to what the Lord sees fit to bring into your path.
If you have something burning in you that you can't ignore any longer, take action. Don't pursue your vision in haste. Be patient. If He is originating it in you, He will ensure it comes to pass.
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