The Path Is Right There

As we go on life’s journey, we are often confronted with a multitude of options that lay before us. It can be confusing as we seek to make the best decisions for ourselves, our friends and families. Sometimes, our indecision can paralyze us and we do not move. However, it is important not to get stuck.

As we sit in our space and ruminate on how to proceed, we miss opportunities to grow, learn and explore what may be down a particular path. We forfeit our ability to take a chance or a risk towards a goal that may have been sitting within us for years. We are sitting in doubt and indecision. We need to figure out how to step onto the path which may be frightening or scary due to our inability to see what is down at the other end.

Sometimes it will be scary as you start, but there are several things to help you as you proceed down that path and they include:

• Support: It is important to have a tribe (family, friends) who support you and can serve as your cheerleaders as you chart new paths in your life. These people can bolster your confidence and allow you an opportunity to share your experiences. The key here is to ensure the people who are your support are folks that have a great mindset in terms of what you can accomplish. You do not want a set of folks around you who lack the fortitude to push you forward and serve as an inspiring confidant.

• Information: Information is key as you navigate the new path and this can come from several sources including what you see, what you think and what you research. The key here is to have as much information as possible as you go down that new path so you have an understanding of your environment and how to interact with it successfully.

• Learning: Another key component is learning as you go along this new path. As you move down this new path you will learn new things about yourself and others that will help you determine your next step. You want to ensure that you pay attention to what you are learning and take an iterative approach by adding ideas and thoughts to your existing knowledge base. Sometimes, all it takes is one additional piece of information (see above) to help you connect the dots in an amazing manner that you did not see coming that will catapult you forward.

• Pivoting: At times, you will have great support, good information and have learned a great deal as you trudge down a new path. Things may have been going smoothly or they have been difficult. Your focus may have been unwavering and your energy stores high. However, there may come a time where you need to pivot along the path you are heading in order to reach your destination. Pivots are okay and can happen anywhere along your path. You just want to make sure that you pivot for the right reasons. For instance, if you are starting a business, you should not pivot because its hard work because running a business in and of itself is hard. The pivot in this instance may be changing your market, internal business processes or modifying parts of your business plan. It's important that as you pivot you maintain the momentum down your path and do not return to a place of rumination and analysis paralysis.

Life is a bold, great adventure that is just waiting for us to jump into it and experience it for all its worth. It is normal to be hesitant about taking that first step, but it is necessary to take the first step down your chosen path in order to accomplish your objectives, realize goals and manifest your dreams. Right now, it is your time to move!

Dave