You might have heard the phrase "work with the end in mind" quite a few times. It's used often when setting targets, explaining a vision, even in workshops. I don't know who cornered the phrase, but I know at least one book that makes an extensive use of it. I'll take you along on one of the most interesting rides I experienced in my life.
Covey. Remember the name. I don't know if he invented the phrase "work with the end in mind", but he's making a damn good heap of money with it (and so are his wife and son by the way, each rewriting his book for their environment...). Covey is known as the author of "The 7 habits of highly effective people". In HR circles, it's a well known book and in all honesty, I could recommend it to everyone. The book changed the life of many people. Let's take a closer look at the habits.
Covey divides his 7 habits in 2 sets of 3 habits and a recurrent one (sharpen the saw, i.e. do it again). The 2 sets will lead to private and public victories. For now, I'll focus on the private victory part. If there's interest in the public part, I'll write a post about it as well.
Habit 1 - between action and reaction, there's a moment you are respons-able. Covey states that we do way too many things because "we have to", "others do it that way", "it's always done like that". He insists on taking a step back and realising that between action and reaction, there is a point where we can choose how we will respond to the action. This basically means: you are able to take your life in your hands and face the consequences.
Habit 2 - have the end in mind. Covey says that we should do a mental exercise. Pretend you're on your funeral. How do you want to be remembered? What do you want people to say about you? Those things, according to Covey, are your personal key-values. And he doesn't qualify them: "being a good businessman" has the same merit as "be an example in church". But you have to master the knowledge of your most important values.
Habit 3 - put first things first. Now that you know your core values, now that you know you are able to take your own decisions, take your decisions with the end in mind. This means that you should in the first place do those things that contribute to your core values. Find out what you have to do to make a valuable contribution to what you deem most important in your life.
At that moment, when you're able to live day by day and act with the end in mind, you realise your private victory and truly work with the end in mind. You finally reach independence and are able to make your stand and hold your ground in relation with others (and that will be the public victory).
So, why do we use "work with the end in mind" so often? It makes sense. Plant your flag. Make sure every step you take is a contribution, a tile on the path to the flag. What Covey uses on a personal level, can easily be applied on a company level.
When Alice stepped into Wonderland, she wanted to know which way to choose. The rabbit responded with a question, "Where do you want to go?" Alice replied "I don't much care where." "In that case", the rabbit said, "it doesn't matter which way you go." That's why we have a target and "Must Win Battles". That's why we have to think every time: do I do what I do with the end in mind?