Road Map Of Life

If you were going to drive to somewhere unfamiliar -
whether cross country or just across the city - what
would be the first thing you would do? Map it out?
And then after you mapped it out, would you never
look at the map again? Not likely.

More likely, you would refer to the map often, to make
sure that you were on the right track. You would be
able to tell quickly if you needed to make adjustments,
correct a mistake, or consider a change of plans.

Posting your goals, standards, boundaries, mission
statement, etc. is very much like having a map to refer
to.A "Life Map".

In today's busy world, it's easy to get off course.
Having a Life Map to refer to helps you keep moving
quickly and efficiently towards your goals. It helps you
to filter out things that don't belong, helps you quickly
correct things when you mess up, helps you navigate
unexpected problems.

But if you don't have the map where you can see it and
refer to it often, all the planning in the world won't
matter. You'll end up driving aimlessly around
unfamiliar territory, being distracted by many different
paths.knowing where you want to go, but having no
tried and true method of getting there.

What else might that driving map tell you?

Perhaps that there is more than one way to get to where
you are going.the freeway or the back way, for
example. It may show you various ways of getting to
the same place, depending on your starting point. It
may show you alternate route which could be used to
detour around unexpected problems (the inevitable
construction crew), or obstacles put in your way. It
may show you a phone number to call for assistance if
you get lost, or an estimated time of your journey, or
even a time that you are expected at your destination.
It might show you milestones, or landmarks, so that you
can chart your progress.

All these things are important for your Life Map as
well. Where are you starting from? What are your
resources? Do you want to take the fast track, or do
you prefer a slower approach? What back-up plans do
you have for handling the inevitable unexpected
problems? Who do you go to for assistance to make
sure you stay on the right track?

Without a map to refer to often, it might be easy to get
distracted from your destination. Let's say for example
that you were headed to a friend's house for a party,
and along the way you might notice a restaurant, or a
beautiful piece of scenery, or a movie that you wanted
to see. Would you stop and go to the restaurant or the
movie? Would you put your ultimate objective on hold
because something else got your attention for the
moment?

Of course not.

But that's exactly what happens when you let
distractions - albeit it attractive distractions - move you
off your Life Map. You "end up" somewhere instead
of where you really want to be. Time and space and
conscious choice must be attached to any decisions to
detour or stop along your way. Is there time? Can I do
this at another time? Will it detract from my goal, or
enhance it?

Don't let your temporary, current desires take
precedence over what you REALLY want.

Because, you see, an important part of succeeding is
deciding what is and what isn't a distraction. For
example, as you were headed to your party, you saw a
vendor with some fresh flowers and you decide to stop
and pick up some for your friend. In that case, a stop
along the way ADDS to your goal. However, if instead
you decide to stop and see a movie and arrive quite late
at the party, then you have detracted from your goal.

The Life Map functions the same way. For example, if
you are working on a College Degree, and you decide
to stop and work at an entry level position in your field
to learn the nuts and bolts of the industry, then that will
ADD to your end result. However, if instead, you
decide to take time off to back-pack through Europe,
that will detract from your goal of finishing your
degree.

Each "opportunity" must be evaluated in light of how it
will affect your ultimate goal.will it contribute to it, or
will it detract from it?

Therefore, both the driving map and the Life Map serve
the same high purpose: To Keep You On Track.

POST your Life Goals so that you can see them every
day. Decide that you will put as much thought into
your Life Map as you do into planning your Vacation.
Grab on to the steering wheel of your life. Check your
map often, determine your current location, and move
confidently toward where you want to go.