Stephen Covey’s timeless advice, “Begin with the end in mind,” has stuck with me for a very long time, and it guides how I approach my personal and business life.

It’s deceptively simple but powerful: know where you want to go before you take the first step. This is where vision begins. You have to take the first step, and I deeply believe in this idea as well. But you have to know where you're going when you step off, otherwise you'll likely get lost along the way. In practice, it can mean the difference between success and mediocrity.

If we take Covey’s advice seriously, it changes how we think about strategy, leadership, and our lives. Here are 3 core takeaways to explore.