Have the best things in your life come from creating a vision and charting a course to get there? Or have they felt like they arrive more serendipitously?
As I’m trying to figure out the purpose I will dedicate myself to in my next chapter, I’ve been contemplating how this process works.
I fully believe in the power and importance of clarifying a vision, setting SMART goals, working toward them with discipline, and the truism that “what gets measured gets done.”
I also believe God has a plan for my life and that He works in ways I cannot always foresee.
I believe in action and I also see the value in stillness. The challenge is that stillness is hard. I get restless holding in place when I don’t yet have a direction. My instinct is to jump into something… anything… to keep busy and feel productive.
In my early 20’s, my dear mentor used to remind me that before I got busy climbing a career ladder, I should make sure that ladder was leaned up against the building I really wanted to ascend. Otherwise, I would have to waste time climbing back down, moving the ladder, and starting the climb again. And if I didn’t take the time to think about where I wanted to end up, I might get to “the top” and realize it was an unfulfilling destination. He urged going slowly at first, taking my time to make a good choice. That would allow me to go faster later.
How do you navigate periods of uncertainty? How do you “hold” the balance of action toward your goals and stillness to tune into the right path? As I wrestle with this, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
With curiosity,
Lisa
PS – I just got back from a long trip to East Africa with my mom and husband (photos below). Don’t you love the way a pattern interrupt can help you to re-see things that had become so automatic you were no longer aware of them?
