Sailing into the Right Wind

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If you have ever been out sailing, you have quickly learned this one great reality, you cannot choose which way the wind blows.  Sailing is far more than just getting in a boat and allowing the wind to blow you wherever it decides to.  You will soon find you are run ashore, zipping down the river heading for trouble or who knows where, or you are just sitting still.  The experienced sailor knows that it how he/she handles the sails that will determine where you go, how fast you go and how to keep safe.

                The same is true on your journey to achievement.  If you know how to set your sails, you can go anywhere and make it to the goals you set in life faster than you ever thought possible.  However, as with sailing, achieving your goals requires you to understand a few key things.  I want to point out three very important bits of knowledge that all who are sailing to their goals must know.

#1) Have a Clear Destination

                I have a friend who is an avid boater.  He is gone on his boat from late spring to late fall.  He has sailed around the Great Lakes many, many times and knows the waters well.  There is one thing he has pointed out to me many times, that is the fact that he never sets sail unless he knows where he is going, where he will spot along the way and when he intends to get to his destination.

"If you learn to set a good sail, the wind that blows will always take you to the dreams you want, the income you want, and the treasures of mind, purse, and soul you want." - Jim Rohn (1930-2009)  Author/Speaker

                Boaters, like pilots, know that a travel pattern is not only to help you find your destination but for safety as well.  When you are out in the waters of Lake Michigan you best know where you are headed.  The same is true when you go to achieve your dreams.  It is vast, dangerous waters out there and for the one who is careless and does not have the knowledge of where they are going, you will get lost and can face disaster.

#2) Know What You Are Doing

                Isn't it odd that people will invest in classes and spend hours of time training to do some of the fun activities they have always wanted to do, and yet they see it as an unnecessary bother to prepare for their life?  Would you go rock climbing, jump from a plane or sail across the ocean without some knowledge of what you are doing?  I would hope not.  Likewise, you must know what you must do to achieve your goals in life.  Just saying you want something will not make it so.  You must go for it, and know how to go for it.

                Success-minded people know that to achieve their dreams they must study, perfect their skills, read all the books, articles and blogs that will help them develop in their area of interest.  Successful people are students that never finish their courses.  They are always learning, growing and becoming experts in all they do.

#3) Never Leave Things to Chance

                The people who are successful, who are the best at what they do and who enjoy what they do the most are the people who leave nothing to chance.  During my many years of involvement in the Boy Scouts, there is one thing that is always before us; the Boy Scout Motto: Be Prepared.  We teach boys that you should never be taken by surprise.  Always prepare for any emergency, good or bad.  When you are ready, you will know what to do when the time comes.

                On the journey to achievement you will face many difficulties, challenges and road blocks.  What you will not come across is a sign that tells you these things are just ahead.  You should be ready when they come because you will not know beforehand what to expect.  If you’re not ready before, you will not be able to get ready at the time.  Reminds me of the words of the legendary coach John Wooden who use to say:  "If you don't have time to do it right, how will you have time to do it over."

Personal development and the achievement of your dream will not happen on its own. It takes action and that action has to happen now. Click on the Free Membership button in the side bar and start your journey to achievement today!

© 2017 John Patrick Hickey. No part of this may be reprinted or published without permission of the author.