Why is it that so many people feel a bit lost in life, questioning whether they are on the right path and not quite sure where it is taking them? There’s a lot we can learn from Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.
“What road do I take?” asked Alice.
The cat asked, “Where do you want to go?”
“I don’t know,” Alice answered.
“Then,” said the cat, “it really doesn’t matter, does it?”
What does that tell you? That you’ve really got to have a destination in mind to be able to navigate through life and experience all the wonders it has to offer. Otherwise, you’ll be wandering around aimlessly, never quite sure whether you’re on the right track or not – or worse, running in circles, constantly chasing your tail.
Put it this way. Would you get into a car without a purpose or destination to head towards? And unless you knew your way already, wouldn’t you also need a road map to help get you there? Yet so many people are doing exactly that with their lives – driving around aimlessly without a clear sense of direction. Going through the motions of taking each day as it comes, but never taking the time to look up and see where they are going and if they are still heading in the right direction.
I was certainly guilty of that for many years, kind of knowing I wasn’t quite on the right path, but also not stepping back and looking outwards to the kind of future I wanted to reach – a future that was aligned with my values and a life in which I can be myself and contribute to the world with all the gifts I have to offer. Trust me, the latter is a much nicer path to travel upon. The scenery is worth taking in, even stopping once in a while to admire the view. All of a sudden, the journey is just as beautiful, fulfilling, and breathtaking as the destination promises to be.
It’s not always easy to find that picturesque path, but with time, reflection, and support, everyone can follow that route. It all starts with becoming clear on your vision. Think about where you want to be in 10 years, five years, three years from now, and what that looks like for the next 12 months. What are all the things you want Do, Be, and Have in those timeframes? Go big, listen to your heart, and let your innermost desires come to the surface.
As a next step, filter it down to a one-year goal. What is your biggest priority on your vision list? Pick a maximum of two or three areas in your life and get really specific about what you want to achieve in those areas and set yourself a powerful goal. Write it down and look at it as often as possible. You can then work backwards from the 12-month mark and create your own Google Maps of what the journey will look like for the next three months, the next four weeks, and even tomorrow.
Finally, the most important step: take action! Every single day. Consistency is key in being able to reach your destination – otherwise, you may be lingering at a quick stop along the road for too long and miss the sunset on the other side of the mountain. Whether that’s five minutes or two hours, it’s all about keeping your foot on the pedal and pumping the gas to keep moving forward, making sure you don’t get lost making endless detours that don’t actually get you where you want to go. Working with a mindset coach can help you get really clear on all those steps to make sure you are heading in the right direction – and not getting lost along the way.
