Wait, Thats Not on the Map

Back from my amazing summer excursion, a month long drive through Spain! Well, I mean, I didn't do any of the driving, my partner did. See, I only know how to drive an automatic and since we have a stick here in Belgium, my partner kindly agreed to do all the driving. In total it ended up being close to 5000 kilometers and he did beautifully without so much as a complaint. Nice, huh?

My part in this adventure was to be the navigator. A role that I take with great relish and responsibility! I had my several large maps along with the trip planner for each leg printed out from the internet. I would sit in the passenger seat with the big detail map open on my lap and the turn by turn internet guide at close reach (oh, and I was also in charge of the CD's ? but I digress).

Everything all prepared for, right? No surprises, right? Well, not exactly. While we were totally prepped about 80% of the time, there were still a few glitches. Occasionally, the signs on the roads ? I mean even the road numbers ? were different than what they were supposed to be. We would be going along just fine and then everything would change suddenly and without warning. No names or directions or numbers matched anything remotely familiar. I, of course, went into a tizzy. Flipping pages, shuffling papers, barking at Brad all because I was venturing into uncharted territory.

I mean I was ticked! This was absolutely not the way it was supposed to be. Those silly traffic people putting up these confusing signs ? I mean, didn't they know what I needed? Thus I began the "blame game" ? the stupid internet map people, the stupid sign people, the stupid government and finally, stupid me. (Hmmm, coaching opportunity here? Read on.)

Then there was the event of entering a new city for the first time. More often than not, while our maps were terrific they did not give the detail that we needed in each individual city to be able to totally navigate where we wanted to go. The internet map was our savior here, but still... in every city the street signs were in different places and the names for the streets weren't always what we were expecting. Picture this: two guys and their dog, in some big city in Spain circling on one of those "roundabouts" over and over trying to figure out which off-shoot we should take and which direction all the while dodging incoming and out going drivers who grew up on these roads and are late for work. I hope that image makes you smile, it does me ? at least now looking back.

Inevitably, we always made it to our destination and usually without a hitch. In fact sometimes, when things would look hopeless and nothing was familiar, we would wander and see what came up and strangely enough all of a sudden we would be right where we needed to be and in a better spot than we could have ever planned with all the maps in the world.

I learned several things from this that actually shook me up a bit. Here are a few of the lessons that I got:
? If you stare at the route on the map too much you miss some amazing scenery.
? Most of the time, the signs are very clear and point you in the direction of the destination. When they don't, you can choose to a) get all agitated and scared fearing that you might "fall of the edge of the earth," or b) adventure into the unknown, look for things you recognize and back track when necessary ? remember the world won't come to an end.
? When you are stuck on a roundabout and you feel the pressure of everyone else zipping in and out on familiar territory, remember that a) with time, this can become familiar territory for you too; b) the roundabout is there to help you get where you want to go; c) after a couple spins around, make a decision and go for it ? after all you can always back track!
? New situations can be disorienting. Accept that and relax into the adventure as best you can.
? Learn to drive a stick when you are young ? not profound but simply the truth!

Next time we will talk about the joys of wandering and finding unexpected gems! Below you will find some experiments to help you enjoy the journey more and worry less!

Some Experiments

  • Are you so focused on the "route" and how you will get to your goals that you lose sight of the scenery around you? Plan for the future with focus and determination but LIVE in the moment. Journal regularly on what is happening now and pick out the special lessons that you learn on the way to your goals. Often they are more valuable than the goal itself.
  • When things aren't as they should be what or who do you blame? Circumstances, others, situations, even yourself? Sure there are reasons and explanations that we can use to learn for the future but sometimes we use blame as an excuse to stay suck right where we are. What if for this month you promised not to blame anyone of anything? Instead, all you did was use your non-judgmental self to collect the information that comes in and then made a choice. Look and see what kind of freedom that gives you and keep a journal to see the results.
  • What lessons do YOU see for yourself that come up around this article? Put together a program for this month that is tailor made to what you need to learn. E-mail me what exercise you come up with.

    • © 2004 by Roger DeWitt & Life Artistry Coaching. Roger is a certified life and business coach working with people to change their thinking so they can change their lives! Sign up for his monthly "5 Minute Success Tips" at www.lifeartistrycoaching.com

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Help Yourself To Success

    If you help yourself, God and humans will help you... Read More

    How Important is Your Lemonade Stand?

    When my neighbor's child was about 8, he decided that... Read More

    Healthy Wealthy Wise: Boost Your Productivity

    We all strive for a 'balanced life'. Although we may... Read More

    Price of Success

    We're all adults, and most of us probably like to... Read More

    7.9 Things I Learned About Success From Darth Vader

    Unless you have been living in a cave, you have... Read More

    Informational Interviews: Tips for Success

    As a work-life and career coach, I regularly work with... Read More

    Reach Your Goals - Have A Pitch Party

    Have a "Pitch Party" Invite friends and work together to... Read More

    Awaken to Something New in Your Life: Conscious Change

    What do we want most from life? Certainly, we all... Read More

    19 Good Questions For Living The Good Life (Just The Right Question To Get Just What You Desire)

    It happened again in class. While sharing my insights on... Read More

    How to Network Your Way to Success

    Successful people do not achieve success on their own, they... Read More

    Top Ten Success Strategies

    1. Believe in yourself and what it is you do.... Read More

    Reach Your Goals - Get Professional Help

    Get professional help There's no rule that says you have... Read More

    Better Instead of Bitter

    I have been studying several books lately that deal with... Read More

    Principles Of Success

    Succinctly said, success is harmony. When the result is congruent... Read More

    The Bubble Of Prosperity

    My life is a bubble; but how much solid cash... Read More

    The 8th Habit Covey Forgot - The Making of an Expert!

    I could labor the idea but then that would only... Read More

    I Don?t Believe in Failures

    I prefer to call the challenges, obstacles, side-tracks, and barriers... Read More

    Are You Afraid of Success?

    You may not realise it yet but you may have... Read More

    Beliefs and How They Shape Your Future

    Have you ever had such thoughts like "I always fall... Read More

    What Is Your Legacy of Success?

    Success! Easy to talk about, but difficult to achieve. Or... Read More

    Work Smarter Not Harder

    When you are working over time but yet you do... Read More

    Mastering The Habits Of Success

    The difference between success and failure is based on behavior.... Read More

    A Little Equation that Creates Big Results

    The purpose of man is in action not thought -... Read More

    Action Speaks Louder Than Words

    I have written much about how, in order to have... Read More

    Catching the W.A.V.E.s of Greatness

    Greatness is all around us. From Oprah to Bill Gates... Read More

    Benefits To Having An Education

    If you look back to the 70s and 80s, many... Read More

    Of Courage and Greatness

    Courage is something that is reflected and reciprocated, and is... Read More

    Succeed By Looking Forward

    We all want something to look forward to. The best... Read More

    The Opportunity Clock

    When I was in college, I heard someone say something... Read More

    Measure Effort To Achieve Success!

    Let's say you're moving forward in your efforts to achieve... Read More

    3 Keys to Fulfill Your Wildest Dreams

    If you'd like to fulfill your long-held dreams, try a... Read More

    I Would Give Anything To ?

    A couple days ago I was listening to a CD... Read More

    Lifetime Success Key: Get a Life...

    I was talking about my business to a stranger the... Read More