Why the Best Visions Are Built in Layers, Not All at Once

My friends,

There is a myth that a life-changing vision arrives in a single, dramatic flash of insight. We imagine a moment of divine revelation where the entire blueprint for our future is handed to us, complete and perfect.

This myth creates immense pressure. It makes us feel that if we don’t have the whole picture, we have nothing. It keeps us stuck, waiting for a lightning strike of clarity that may never come.

I want to share with you a more realistic and grace-filled truth: A true vision is not a photograph; it is a painting.

A photograph captures a single moment, frozen in time. But a master painter builds a masterpiece in layers. They start with a rough sketch, then add a foundational color. They add layers of light, then shadow, then detail. The final, beautiful image emerges slowly, through a patient and iterative process.

Your vision for your life works the same way. You do not need to have the final masterpiece figured out today. You only need to apply the next layer.

•Layer 1: Your Values. This is the foundational sketch we talked about on Monday. What are the non-negotiable principles that will guide your work?

•Layer 2: Your Service. This is the first wash of color. Who are you called to serve, and what small act of service can you perform today?

•Layer 3: Your Curiosity. These are the layers of light and shadow. What are the whispers of interest that add depth and texture to your life?

•Layer 4: Your Mission. This is the emerging detail. As you combine your values, service, and curiosity, a clearer mission begins to take shape.

When I first felt called to serve beyond the classroom, my vision was blurry. It was a rough sketch. But I added a layer of service by coaching one person. I added a layer of curiosity by reading books on leadership. Over time, the painting became clearer. The vision for Rekindle Your Influence was not a flash of insight; it was a masterpiece built in layers over many years.

Your Next Layer:

Look back at the work you’ve done this week. Look at your values, your small acts of service, your curiosities. What is one new detail, one new layer of color, that you can add to your painting today? You don’t need the whole picture. Just the next layer.

Tomorrow, in our final article of the week, we will discuss how to stop overcomplicating this entire process.

Yours in service,

Winston