In life, every path leads somewhere. So the important question here is, do you know where your path is leading you?
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We would probably all like to think that the path we are on, is leading us exactly where we want to go. But is that true, or is it just wishful thinking?
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Like any journey, the road we choose is important. If you want to drive from LA to New York, there are a lot of choices. Maybe you’ll choose the scenic route. Even though it takes longer, you find it more enjoyable.
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Perhaps you are on a tighter schedule. In that case, you might decide to take the most direct route. It’s not as pretty as the scenic route, but it will get you there a lot faster.
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Different paths can provide a variety of experiences while still leading to the same place. So how do know which one to choose?
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If you were taking a trip across country, you would use a map to help you decide. Having a map would allow you to consider all the different options, and make an informed choice.
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Unless your life is completely unstructured, and you’re willing to go anywhere the wind blows, you will no doubt want to use a map.
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What is your priority?
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How important is the course of your life compared to a trip across country?
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Do you have a map to guide you on the journey of life?
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Isn’t it ironic, how people will carefully plan for relatively insignificant ventures, and not do the same when it comes to their life course?
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On your drive from LA to New York, you would likely establish a timeframe and mile markers. You would choose specific destinations along the way. Then you would decide when you planed to arrive at those destinations.
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Have you done that with regard to your life?
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Hoping you’re on the right path is not the same as planning.
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Rude awakenings!
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1. If you haven’t taken the time to sit down and figure it out, can you really say you know where you’re going?
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2. If you haven’t established mile markers along the way, how will you gauge your progress?
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3. If you don’t have a timetable, then the cold hard truth is – you are just wondering.
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I’m not suggesting that life should be so rigid that it doesn’t allow for adventure and discovery. That would be incredibly boring. The fact is, you can’t predict every detail of your life, or allow for every possible circumstance. But that doesn’t eliminate the need for a plan.
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Between LA and New York, you are liable to run into any number of unplanned events. You may decide to alter your plans along the way. Or you may decide to stay in one place an extra day or two, thus altering your timeframe.
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But you still know where you’re going. Your overall goal hasn’t changed and you are still moving in the right direction.
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Some basic truths
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1. Planning ahead does not prevent the unfolding process. In fact, when you have a plan it encourages new possibilities to unfold before you. Opportunities will present themselves in accord with your established goals and actions.
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2. Having a plan leads to increased freedom. Some people resist setting goals and timetables because they think it’s too restrictive. They feel that it interferes with their freedom. Nothing could be further from the truth. Going nowhere is the opposite of freedom. It’s just the illusion of freedom.
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3. Knowing where you are going gives you a sense of purpose. Having a purpose builds your self-esteem and confidence. Not knowing where you are going amounts to purposelessness.
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4. Success does not happen by accident. This goes for businesses, relationships, personal growth, and anything else worth having. You are not going to win the lottery and live happily ever after. Get use to it.
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5. Reality is your friend. Taking responsibility for your own life frees you of a huge burden. Facing facts and working with current realities is much more productive than wishing things were different. Hiding from reality just encourages procrastination.
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Now What?
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Decide where you want to go and how you are going to get there. Choose to make life happen instead of just letting it happen to you. Identify areas where you have been procrastinating and figure out why. Make a plan, establish mile markers and a timetable, then take action.
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Need some help? 7 Simple Steps is very near.
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