Direction

“You can’t get what you want until you know what you want”

Joe Jackson, Body & Soul (1984)

Understanding and defining your destination is the first step to reaching your goals.

Some of the most common goals people have involve things, possessions, money. At the same time, most people have not specified the exact things or amounts of those things.

Blindly trudging down a well worn path and hoping for a miracle is akin to the farmer waiting for the proverbial rabbit to run out of its burrow and smack headfirst into a tree (守株待兔).

Go out and get it should not be an empty slogan. Remember, you are the architect of your world, and you alone are the one who will live in the reality that you construct.

You have to have clearly defined and attainable goals that lead somewhere. This is how you ascertain the direction in which to travel. The converse is true as well: you have to know when you are headed the wrong way.

Recognizing what works for you is a direct measurement of the progress you make. Other factors may add value to your journey but if you are focused on a destination, these side quests must add up to an equal or greater amount of success.

Use this checklist to help define your destination.

In order to reach a goal, it should have these characteristics. Check yes or no for each criterion.

Realistic: Can I realistically achieve this?

Specific: Have I stated exactly what am I aiming for?

Measurable: Is there a way to know if the goal is reached?

Actionable: Have I created an action plan?

Time Frame: Is there an amount of time for a deadline?

Fair Challenge: Is the goal within my reach but not too easy or not too hard?

Reason and Reward: Do I understand why I want to reach this goal and the reward for doing so?

To set off in the right direction, you should answer yes to each question on the checklist.