Today’s Imagination Hat honors the work (the adventure?) of Jason Lewis. What can we learn from Jason about the entrepreneurial journey? It was on this day in 2007 that Jason Lewis completed one of the last great firsts. He was the first to circumvent the entire world. “No wait,” you say. “He couldn’t possibly be the first.” But oh yes. He is. He is the first to circumvent the globe using only in-line skates, kayaks, swimming, rowing, walking, pedaling, and a unique pedal-powered boat. No motors. No sails. No animals. He was the first to circumvent the globe by human power alone. Jason and his team Expedition 360 traveled over 45,000 miles across five continents, two oceans, and one sea. Thirteen years after the launching on this adventure, he crossed the same Meridian line.

What is it that possesses people to attempt such things? For some mysterious reason, attempting the impossible is bound within the heart of man. Without a strong vision, and a strong sense of what he was trying to accomplish, Jason would have given up. During his journey, Jason had both legs broken when hit by a car. He narrowly missed having one of them amputated. He has been chased by a crocodile, contracted malaria, endured two hernia operations, robbed at machete-point, capsized in the Atlantic, and arrested as a spy in Egypt. I’m not making this up. With the vision of the end of the journey in view, Jason could endure it all.

Entrepreneurs are also obsessed and possessed with achieving the impossible.  But running a small company is also fraught with danger and loss.  A strong vision can help you endure hardship and give you strength to press  forward. How compelling is your vision? Have you defined what success means to you? Have you determined that the goal is worth it? Is your Vision strong enough to propel you forward in the face of adversity?

Expedition 360 was about more than just breaking records. In conjunction with a variety of programs, the team visited 900 schools to promote cultural exchange, used adventure to promote world citizenship, provide humanitarian needs, and raise awareness for environmental stewardship. It was not a short term vision. What does your company look like 13 years out? Make sure your Vision is bigger than you are, and compelling enough to get you there. That is your great adventure.

That’s this week’s Imagination Hat.