The Davis family drove from Michigan to Canada for the weekend. Like many Michiganders, Canada was a frequent getaway for the family. They knew the route and they had visited many times in the past. Yet, this trip was different. In the past, Michigan residents were able to cross the border and return with nothing more than state identification. However, the rules have changed, and you must now have special identification. The family had entered Canada with no problem. However, when they reached the crossing to head home, they found their familiar route blocked by a new rule.
- Image by Sentrawoods. via Flickr
In 2009, many people felt like the Davis family at the gate. You were motoring along on familiar roads believing you had the proper paperwork and just as you saw the goal, the home stretch in site, your progress was halted by a rule change.
Some of you crawled under the gate, others motored through it and some may have tried to reason with the obstruction to grant you passage. Whatever choice you made, I’m happy to inform you that you can now cross over.
It is a brand new decade. Last year, the rules changed and this year there may be addendums but in this new decade you control the path. You can adjust your strategy, and route or you can wait until mercy or an immunity period allows you to pass.
Rule changes are part of the game but if you mentally prepare for them they do not have to interrupt your journey. What stood in your way last year and how could you have solved it better/faster or avoided it completely? What changes can happen this year that would slow your speed or worse bring you to a full stop? Your roadmap to success must have alternate routes. Planning for delays or even failures is essential.
On this first Monday check your supplies and your route and make sure that you are ready to go the distance or you may find yourself struggling to prove you really belong on the road.
Note: The names of the family have been changed to protect them from my creative liberties but the story is based on fact, or more accurately the facts as they were related to me and then filtered through my own storytelling perception. If you enjoy the liberty taking and the post, please visit again.
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Good advice as usual, Karen.
And if I may add some additional advice while adopting your metaphor:
… Once you’ve checked your supplies and route, put the gas pedal to the floor and hold onto the steering wheel with both hands!
.-= Aaron Hoos´s last blog ..Favorite video: Align training, HR, and strategy (part 3 of 9) =-.
Oh, Karen, alternatives routes are so harshly overlooked! I personally blame it on the “Which is Plan B? I’m still figuring it out” movie scenarios where people actually manage to get out of a tricky situation 🙂 The truth is it can work like this, but with much annoyance, sometimes even anger, and regret over missing out on parts of your planned adventure. Backups and alternatives should always be there. They help us continue our route with joy and hope and they prepare us for virtually anything 🙂
.-= Alina Popescu´s last blog ..Do you know how to listen to people? =-.
That’s exactly what I’m doing this week! Checking my supplies and refreshing my lists. I’m also making sure that I’m on track with all the goals I have set for myself, both personally and professionally. The journey continues!
.-= Melissa Donovan´s last blog ..Happy New Year from Scribizzy! =-.
Janice, I love the the destination idea! I may have to piggy back on your creativity. Hmm, so this week we’re mapping the journey, buying the traveling clothes and packing. Let’s go somewhere warm, it’s very cold here, I could use some sun. 🙂
.-= Karen Swim´s last blog ..Canada, Border Crossings and Your Route to Success =-.
Same page, we are on the same page. I am checking supplies and mapping destinations. LOL. I even thought, it might be a fun thing to think of each month as destination oriented. Sounds like more fun than “things to do” lists. Ahh, back to my maps. 🙂
.-= Janice Cartier´s last blog ..Do You Have a Warroom? =-.