Hey, where ya headed?
It seems easy enough to answer. But, really, where are you headed?
I don’t watch much television, but when I was lying in bed over the summer with nothing to do, but recover from knee surgery, the t.v. may have been on.
One of the shows I enjoy watching is Criminal Minds. If you’ve never seen it, it’s about a special unit of the F.B.I. that tracks kidnappers, serial killers, rapist, etc. that local law enforcement can’t seem to catch.
One of the characters, Gideon, is one of the most talented and experienced agents in the unit. One day, he’s seen too much and leaves without saying good bye. He just never comes back.
During the final scene of the episode, he’s at a truck stop. The waitress asks, “where are you headed?” Now, remember I told you he’s very intelligent and always seems to have an answer for some of the most difficult cases the unit encounters.
However, his response to her seemingly simple question was, “I’m not really sure. Nowhere in particular.” She then asks, “Well if you don’t know where you’re going, then how will you know when you get there?”
His reply, “That is a very good question.” The end of the scene his him walking out of the truck stop, getting in his jeep and driving off.
So, I ask the question again, “Where are ya headed?”
What I really mean is, where are you going with your goals? Do you have a set road map to get there? And when you arrive, will you know when that is and what it looks like?
We like to imagine our situations as being better, but when we’re asked what we’re doing to get there, we have no clue.
Or, even worse, we use the same answer Gideon gave to the waitress, “nowhere in particular.” And then complain when we don’t get what we want or our circumstances worsen.
We’re not in control or in the driver seat of our own lives.
So, again… “Where are ya headed?”
If you know what you want, set time aside and map out how you’re going to get there. No, you don’t have to know every detail of the trip, just like driving in the dark, as long as you can see the next 100 to 200 feet in front of you, you can drive from Atlanta to Los Angeles and arrive successfully.
Start with the end in mind. What the completed picture or goal will look and feel like, and then set out to get it.
Just as you would a road trip. There may be road blocks, detours or traffic, but if you want to get to your destination bad enough, you’ll make it through to the end.
The same idea holds true for our goals, yet we tend to give up when things get hard or everything doesn’t go our way the first time.
If you want it bad enough, you’ll break through those obstacles and arrive at your goal.
So, when you’re asked, “Where are ya headed?” You will be able to say with confidence, “I’m heading (in the direction of my goal!)”
Have fun with this!
Save travels and see you when you return!
Start Strong, Finish Stronger!
Nathan
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