Setting Targets
Like rafting down a river, the path you take to your vision has a huge impact on your progress and achievement. Along the way there are many choices to make about how you will get to your destination. You could walk down the river bank chopping though bush or float down unguided and hope to reach your destination eventually or, you could navigate to find the swiftest and safest route and steer past obstacles. To do so, you need to check in periodically to see where the river of life is taking you and constantly course correct.
After defining a vision, most people convert it into measurable and specific long term goals. The problem is we do not have enough clarity and often these goals are not met, resulting in a series of disappointments. An alternative is milestones; or the stops we take along the river to realize our vision. Like overnight camping spots, milestones are where we celebrate success and get clarity about the next leg of the river and set the next appropriate milestone. We then establish short term goals to keep us focused and accountable for reaching the next milestone, and a safe and comfortable camping spot.
Hazards on the Journey
Rivers often have waterfalls and rapids that need to be navigated. Heavy rainfall changes the volume of water and the difficulty of the upcoming waterfall. It is advisable to stop at these points, observe the current and determine the best path. If our aim is true we can avoid dumping our boat and the dangers posed by the undertow below. We will have a safe and thrilling ride over the falls.
Like the river unexpected obstacles, twists and turns quickly come into view for any business. As we launch or grow a business we are fueled by the excitement of our vision. Enthusiasm gets us moving but we soon encounter several complex and challenging situations. How we personally manage ourselves through these obstacles impacts our results. If we knew what they were, we could avoid the pitfalls.
Preparing for the Hazard
While we can't predict every obstacle, Joseph Campbell's epic work on the Hero's Journey sheds light on predictable internal experiences and how we can overcome them.
Once committed to the path toward our vision we will encounter trials, where we face our fears, and are confronted by the beliefs and attitudes that could stop us in our tracks. To continue on our path we must let go of these barriers. Like going over a waterfall, it's scary and you don't know how you will land. It is lonely and uncomfortable, and your sense of self may feel threatened. But, this is where your greatest personal transformation takes place.
As the hero on your journey, your success is contingent on overcoming these trials, through the surrender of old ways of being, and by reaching out to allies. Remember that you are not alone. Find the resources and people who can help you reach your destination. Collaborate with others who have complimentary skills and talents, talk to mentors or competitors who could become strategic alliances. Your allies can even help you navigate and avoid getting caught in a dangerous hydraulic at the bottom of the falls.
Stuck in a Hazard
As we progress down the river from one milestone to the next there are times when we get caught in a hazard. The tendency to paddle furiously to get unstuck expends a tremendous amount of energy and places you at risk. The better option is to sit quietly for a moment and tap into your intuition on how to proceed. Perhaps you need an ally or someone else to help you navigate the river to your next milestone.
Enjoy the Journey to Your Vision,
Jacque
