The Importance of Privacy: How to Safeguard Your Vision. How to stop sharing with the wrong people.

One of my favorite pastimes is a good detective show. My mother passed on this obsession. Most nights she can be found cuddled up on her couch watching Snapped, Columbo, or Monk while you can find me watching Law & Order any day of the week. We get hooked on fictional crime shows as well as true crime documentaries.

This weekend, while catching up on Will Trent (a show I highly recommend), there was an officer who was murdered. The mayor and detectives were meeting with the press to update them on the case. They did something very strategic in their press releases...

They shared only what the needed to share. There was an officer that was shot and a investigation had begun. THAT WAS IT. It made me think of myself and how often I have shared too much of my business with "the press".

To prevent disclosing excessive information to inappropriate individuals, law enforcement officials might state:

• At this time, we do not have any further details to release.

• Please remain calm and allow us to continue our investigation.

• We are working closely with other law enforcement agencies.

• Details are still being gathered and we will provide updates as necessary.

We should learn from this example and become more discerning in how we share our personal visions. It's important to refrain from sharing with those who have no investment in the outcome, lack the ability to advance the vision, or have never reached the goals we aim to achieve.

To prevent disclosing excessive information to inappropriate individuals, you may begin to say:

• I am still figuring out how I want this to come together.

• I will follow up with you once I have organized my own thoughts around it.

• I am working with some mentors who have experience in this field.

• I can't wait to share it with you as soon as I see the vision clearly.

  
  

Before you share your personal vision with another person ask yourself these questions:

• Can I trust their confidentiality?

• Would they be someone to compete with me?

• Do they have tools to assist me in obtaining my goal?

• Do they have experience climbing this mountain?

• Are they a positive encouragement to me?

It is my hope that before you decide to share more details about your experiences, vision, or goals, think about those questions.

"A truly wise person uses few words" Proverb 17:27