Look at all the books, seminars and self-proclaimed “motivators” that have emerged over say the last two decades: do you think the search for destiny is just a temporary fashion of modern society?
Personally, I am convinced that taking control of your life and following your way is THE key for improving the quality of your life, living a happier life, and ultimately fulfillment.
And in theory it’s quite simple. Life is nothing but a journey.
Have you ever gone on a long trip? Whether you were traveling by car, plane, bicycle, or just walk, first of all you would decide where you wanted to go, wouldn’t you? Seldom would you just pack your things and walk out the door without any plan.
If you don’t know where you want to go, then you’ll end up like Alice in Wonderland asking the cat: “would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
The Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to
Alice: I don’t much care where.
The Cat: Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go.
Does that tell you anything?
If you want to take control of your life, you’d better know where you want to go. Otherwise you will follow where other people want you to go, or where “the circumstances” lead you. Would you like that? I surely wouldn’t
The next thing you would do is to identify way-points you don’t want to miss on your trip: major cities, sights, places where friends live etc.
From there, you would break down your long trip into smaller etappes which are realistically achievable each day. Every evening, you would check how far you had come compared to your plan. If something held you up, you may have to get up earlier the next day to catch up with the plan. Or you could take it easy, if you got farther than expected because maybe there was not much traffic on the road.
You would also reconsider if your planning was realistic, and you would adjust your plan from time to time. And of course you would make sure you get enough rest.
Most of all, reaching the destination would not be the only thing on your mind. You’d make sure to be enjoying the trip all along the way.
It’s actually quite simple to apply all this to improve your quality in life, to take control, and live a happier life:
1. Define where you want to go, your destination, your purpose in life.
2. Write down milestones; what you need to do in what time, where you want/need to be when.
3. Break it down into daily, weekly, or monthly targets. Monitor this closely, and adjust yourself accordingly.
4. Remain flexible. If anything (or anyone) gets in your way, find alternative routes.
5. Don’t get obsessed with it. Don’t beat yourself up if things are not progressing at your desired speed. Take rests regularly and most of all, open your eyes to enjoy all the beauty along your way.
Oh, from time to may want to reassure yourself that the destination is truly yours;-)
Have an exciting journey and share your experience with me!
Leave a comment on my blog: www.vivocoaching.com/blog
We all wear different hats at different times. Some of the hats Dr. Gerrit Pelzer is wearing are those of a Coach, a Thinker, and a Senior Manager in the corporate world. After an academic education in Germany, he pursued a career with one of the “global players”. He has been working and living (can one separate this?) in Asia for 6 years and has thus gained an in depth understanding of cultural differences.
Gerrit is permanently elaborating ways to IMPROVE PEOPLE’S QUALITY OF LIFE. He is particularly involved in assisting foreigners, especially in Asia/Thailand, to overcome the challenges in their professional and personal lives while living abroad.
ENJOY LIFE!
