With recaps of the great (and not so great) moments of the past year flooding our news feeds, now is the perfect time to reflect on what was and what will be.

As entrepreneurs we always have to be cognizant of what works and what doesn’t. We have to know how to review and measure our own investments in terms of time, money and resources. We look at what contributes to our success and what sustains the livelihood of our stakeholders. By paying close attention to the things that either derailed or propelled our business, we can make better choices for each new quarter.

But aside from profits, what about purpose? Are you driven by the want to create for the better? Are you inspired by products and services that will allow for a better more sustainable future?

If the answer is yes, then you believe in vision. You believe in turning a spark into an action and moving with it.

That is what young entrepreneur, animator and activist Maya Penn promotes in her charming TED Women Talk from 2013.

Maya is full of ideas and the passion to see them brought to fruition.

Perturbed by the harmful waste in the clothing manufacturing process, at just 8 years old she created (and coded) her first business Maya’s Ideas – an online store selling eco friendly clothes and accessories that later grew into a separate nonprofit initiative that helps spread environmental awareness and encourages young girls to follow their dreams in non-traditional fields.

Today at 15, her accomplishments are inspiring and her mindset is powerful.

She believes that her visions have power. The power to spark movement. The power to make change happen. “Ideas are opportunities and innovation,” she says. “Ideas truly are what make the world go round.”

Maya is fortunate to have so much support and recognition at a young age. She may not yet have had to experience the breadth of hardship that come with entrepreneurship, but if she continues to embrace what drives her and uses it to spark new ideas that can inspire entrepreneurs of every age, we have to appreciate her ambition.

So as you approach the new year, take a bright perspective from Maya. Embrace your strengths, ignite your passions through your work; and never doubt your ability to create what you envision.

The post Maya Penn: The vision to spark movement appeared first on LiisBeth.

Turn off your television
and have a listen:
I was born to realize this,
I have a mission.
Every time I open my eyes
I have a vision:
We get to make the decisions
of how we want
life to be.
The future is not
pre-conceived you see.
 

We are in the moment
of dreaming the dream.
Creating
everything we see
attracting
and becoming
who we were meant to be.
Imagination begins
with you and me.
What do you see?

I see
solar-powered
street-car
refueling stations
built on
renewably-constructed
highways
across the nation,
and in global warming’s heat
I see
geothermal cooling stations
and rainwater irrigation
for little local operations
organic food gives good vibrations.

Healthy people
in full civic participation –
unparalleled cooperation.
I see a rise in self-actualization.
Limited only
by imagination.

Our gifts, talents and passions
realized.
Shining light into the night
then we can drop
the 9-5
and do the thing
that make us feel alive.

The work
that truly is in line
with our values
beating deep inside
the heart of the heart
of the heart
of life.

Vibrations
reverberating
outwards
rippling
changes,
bringing light.
Like a magnet
deep inside
attracting like to like to like.
Taking action,
like compassion –
creating a new life.
Where everyone
can realize
and have the chance
to be revitalized,
by clean water, air and food –
free of chemicals that aren’t good for you.

I see us turning inwards
into self
and shining outwards,
radiating health
and to each other,
sharing wealth,
knowledge, skills and care.

What we do for
each other
when no one paid us
to be there.

In full emancipation
from giving our life force
over
to the corporation.

Our hearts
beat
in syncopation
the earth
vibrating
in reverberation.

Our voices singing
sweep the nation.
Freeing up the occupation
of the preceding
generation.

Moving monorails
fly –
station to station.

The magnets
push against
each other
propelling
forward motion.
Activation.
Feel the pulse
of acceleration.
A speeding
future innovation.

Feel the tingly
new sensation
of the new earth
activation.
Trees enlisted in
cooperation.
Every time we breathe
we are exchangin’

Should we trade
a quick fix now
for sustainable operations
that can last
for generations?
Our great-grandchildren
eating, speaking, breathing-in
emancipation.
From the addictions
and distractions
from our patience.

I see how it will go.
There will be a balance,
there will be a healthy flow
of energy, synergy, cooperation, collaboration
and creativity.
This will be inside of each, you see
but also flowing between you and me
and out into the community
like permaculture – need and offer –
in reciprocity
and in the school the dreams will be.

The place where imagination will play free
cooperation and care in continuity
feeling the freedom of possibility.

The children have their physical and emotional needs met
you see
by community or by workers paid properly.
For the work of steering the future of our wealth and world you see.
Workplaces like engines of peaceful prosperity
churning out work in environments designed
by principles of sustainability.
Free-flowing conversations leading innovation
flowing naturally from creativity.
Healthy breaks when breaks need be.

Everybody breathing.
Moving,
stretching.
When need be
being heard and being seen.
Helping each other reach a common goal
healthy competition just for fun,
but not egos crushing egos, playing power games.
That has been forgotten in the name
of guiding the boat together.
The boat that not only makes us better
but keeps us human
on the planet.
No one takes her any more for granted.
The seeds of future
planted.

I plant my feet here
on the earth.
The motion
of my imagination
like a birth.
Water
gushing.
Body
knowing
exactly what to do.
Nature says
work with her
hold on tight.
We are bursting a blast of light
into and through the darkest night.

Blind faith
the vision now in sight.

© Move-N-Music

The post Vision appeared first on LiisBeth.