What is Position A? An ambition. A growing, evolving vision of one’s optimal future state. In theory, Position A can never be reached. So why should every entrepreneur starting or scaling a business always strive for Position A? Because it’s a mentality that drives action – the job is never done.

Sounds ominous, right? It’s not often you hear advice that encourages pursuing a target that cannot be achieved, but there’s a reason: Position A is not an idea or a goal, but rather a vision. Here’s the difference:

Ideas are transient – often replaced by another without a second thought. Goals are static – important because they are attainable and measurable, but lack much needed flexibility. Visions, however, are progressive – they can adapt to the ever-changing scope of reality.

In a dynamic world, it’s unreasonable to set specific long-term goals, because any desired outcome now is almost certain to change in the future. Those who spend years climbing one ladder often reach the top only to find it was leaning against the wrong wall. Instead, ideas should be used to create actionable plans that help achieve short-term strategic goals and provide immediate utility, which ultimately move you closer to the current vision of Position A.

I’m certainly not against goals. Setting a goal forces you to specify exactly what it is that you want to achieve, and allows you to approach actions with the end in mind. Goals increase motivation, performance, effectiveness, and, seemingly, stability.

The paradox is that achieving long-term goals is actually what leads to confusion and instability, whereas the constant state of movement while pursuing a vision provides the foundation for the stability you desire. When you accomplish something and lack further direction, you lose a sense of orientation that is necessary to avoid stasis, because achievement is also, in fact, static.

For this reason, replace static, long-term goals, with a dynamic vision of a successful future. While in a continuous state of motion, focus on achieving short-term goals that generate an immediate and compounding positive effect. Simultaneously, constantly re-evaluate the present version of Position A – aligning your short-term goals and progress with your long-term vision.

In the short-term, understand cause-effect relationships in their most granular form: a problem well-stated is a problem half-solved. Question everything and avoid groupthink, which is toxic and leads to anchoring and confirmation biases that will hinder creativity and productivity. In the long-term, be radically open-minded, and embrace lateral thinking – realize that you may be forced to rethink traditional processes and even industries in order to evolve with your Position A.

The beauty of adopting the Position A manifesto is that it’s not limited to business practices – it also can represent a personal motto for self-development. After all, your stand is your brand, isn’t it? Each person is forever a work in progress, and evolving is one of life’s greatest accomplishments.

Take pride in your accomplishments, but use success as motivation to realize what you’re capable of achieving. Success is never an entitlement, it’s an indication of your potential and determination, and a clear message that the best is yet to come.

To believe you’ve arrived at Position A is the best way to demonstrate that you’ve failed to grasp the concept. It’s a constantly moving target. If Position A has truly been achieved then nothing can be improved – nothing can be done to better the situation. Is that ever true? No. When you no longer strive to reach Position A, you get complacent and lazy – and at the rate the world is changing these days, the person saying something can’t be done is usually interrupted by the person doing it.

So, onward and upward… and always leave room for a little serendipity.