Newsletter for September 2004:
Where Do You Think You're Going
Contents:
- This Months Thought
- Where Do You Think You’re Going?
- Quotes of the Month
- Strictly Business: The Dawn of 2005
- Humor: Airline Humor
This Months Thought
Set your direction and chart your course. And, for those who say they don't know their grand or ultimate purpose in life, take comfort in the fact that a ship will visit many ports in a lifetime. Do you want to visit Paris in the spring? Then set your course, save some money, buy the tickets and do it!
Where Do You Think You're Going?
This week I saw one of those silly television "sit-coms" where the daughter was sneaking out to a party and the parents challenged her with the angry question, "Just where do you think you're going?"
What a great question!
The show was silly and insipid, but the question is one every adult MUST ask - and answer - on a regular basis. Just exactly where ARE you headed? Where are you going in life?
We have all heard the comment that most people spend more time planning a party than planning their lives and sadly, we know it's true.
We also know the familiar warnings about the dangers of failing to choose a direction. Who hasn't heard things such as:
"No wind blows in favor of a ship without a rudder" or how about, "If you don't have goals you are doomed to work for people who do"?
The truth is that we are all tossed and blown by wind and currents every day. The phone rings and a friend wants a favor or a family member is sick. Popular media tempts us to "need" various consumer goods and to worry about all the threats in our world every day. We go to work only to learn that the company is down-sizing, moving or changing in a way we didn't anticipate.
Every day, life gives us challenges and we are blown off- course, and only those with a clear sense of direction are able to get back on course quickly and easily.
People who know where they are going have written goals that act as maps and guideposts. They have clear values that act like a compass to chart their course. People who know where they are going surround themselves with friends and colleagues, books and tapes and posters that guide them to their ultimate destinations.
It's said that an airplane is off-course for most of its flight. At any given moment, winds and weather blow it a bit left or right, or push it too high, or drop it slightly below its assigned altitude, and if the pilot fails to notice these things the plane will miss its destination, eventually run out of fuel and crash. Fortunately, pilots constantly monitor their course and make corrections to reach their destination safely and on- time.
Adults need to know where they are going in life. This is your one and only glorious life and you do NOT want to blow it!
Do you want more education? Get a library card (it's free!), or buy the books and take the courses. Want to start a business? It's easy!
Define your next "port of call", chart a course, and every day, sail your ship. This is not difficult! It is, however, the price one pays for achievement, satisfaction and fulfillment. So, just exactly where do you think you're going in life? Answer the question, chart your course, and enjoy the trip.
Set your direction and chart your course. And, for those who say they don't know their grand or ultimate purpose in life, take comfort in the fact that a ship will visit many ports in a lifetime.
Quotes of the Month
"In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing." -- Theodore Roosevelt
"Man is made so that when anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish." -- Jean De La Fontaine
"You don't have to be great to get started but you have to get started to be great." -- Les Brown
"Everything changes when you change." -- Jim Rohn
Strictly Business: The Dawn of 2005
Have you purchased your 2005 calendars yet? I have found that successful people begin setting their goals, plans, and schedule for the coming year early and you do too, right?
This week, I was reviewing some speaking objectives for NEXT year, and a friend asked me how I could plan so far in advance. I asked him how he could fulfill his potential and achieve his dreams without planning ahead.
High achievers know where they are going (see the article, above). They chart their course, and that often begins with their calendars, appointment books and "to do" lists. This morning, I was setting my speaking objectives for the first half of next year.
While working in the corporate world, I often used wall calendars that showed several months or an entire year at a glance. I got away from that practice for a while after I began my coaching career, but I have since picked up the habit of using a wall calendar again. I buy them ahead of time, and begin by plotting the most important dates - birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and vacations. I plot all scheduled trips, and time for personal retreats, continuing education and personal development. For the most part, these are noted in red to signify my priorities and their importance.
Then, I plot time for business development, meetings, workshops and business networking. Finally, I mark out time for planning, for writing and workshop development, and of course, good old fashioned office work days.
Many professionals and business owners enjoy creating "plans", but too often their plans are hard to distinguish from dreams or fairy tales because they fail to anchor their plans with dates and budgets. Take time to plan the year ahead. Write down your schedule. Commit time and money for personal development, family travel, and business growth. Now is the time to create the 2005 you really want!
Humor: Airline Humor
After every flight, Qantas pilots fill out a form called a gripe sheet, which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems; document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight. Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by Qantas pilots and the solutions recorded by maintenance engineers. Enjoy!
By the way, Qantas is the only major airline that has never had an accident.
P: The problem logged by the pilot. S: The solution and action taken by the mechanics.
P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement. S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.
P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough. S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.
P: Something loose in cockpit. S: Something tightened in cockpit.
P: Dead bugs on windshield. S: Live bugs on back-order.
P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent. S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.
P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear. S: Evidence removed.
P: DME volume unbelievably loud. S: DME volume set to more believable level.
P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick. S: That's what they're for.
P: IFF inoperative. S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.
P: Suspected crack in windshield. S: Suspect you're right.
P: Number 3 engine missing. S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.
P: Aircraft handles funny. S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.
P: Target radar hums. S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.
P: Mouse in cockpit. S: Cat installed.
P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer. S: Took hammer away from midget.
Rodger Blaker is a Personal Coach who supports people in their desire to bridge the gap between where they are today and where they want to be! For info on resources for your success, visit: http://www.rodgerblaker.com
GIVE A GIFT TO A FRIEND! Please forward this copy to your friends and colleagues! That's how I grow!