The one thing that is often lacking in healthcare is a global vision. What do we want the future of healthcare to look like? I was at a conference the other day and someone said that the goal of Canadian healthcare should be to ensure that our healthcare system was at least as good, if not better, for our children. I thought this was a pretty good start as an underlying principle, but is it a good enough vision? Maybe.

Like many organizations, the healthcare system needs a clear vision of its future state. What is the model? What are the underlying principles? What does the future state look like? Only then can we determine the best way to get there. If you don't know your final destination, then how can you plan the route to get there? This requires leadership and an ability to take into account the needs of many different stakeholder groups-patients, doctors, nurses, healthcare administrators, pharmacists, etc. Right now, many heathcare systems are lacking the appropriate leadership and need to start with the basics, deciding on their final destination.

Every year, my family and I rent a cottage in Muskoka, a beautiful cottage area two hours north of Toronto. As I write this, I am sitting on the dock looking over a calm lake and listening to the wildlife chirp and sing. What a beautiful way to spend a week. Not only does it allow me to spend quality time withe the family, but it also provides an opportunity to take a step back from city life and reflect on where I am and where I want to be. It provides me with some clarity of direction and purpose. This week, I have become very clear on who I want to be and the kind of father I want to be to my children, the kind of husband I want to be to my wife, the kind of work I would like to do with my customers and future customers and the type of person I want to be to others. Not a bad outcome for a week's vacation. How do you get your clarity?