Your year was not great. The majority of the people you know didn’t have a great year either.
How can that be?
Most people start the year filled with hope and optimism. Great attributes, but a poor substitute for persistence and pragmatism. People wish for a happy new year, but they seldom put in the effort necessary for a happy new year.
This time of year is a lot like changing trains at a busy station. We rush out of our compartments and spill out onto the platform, ladened with our accumulated luggage. Some travelers have been here before, and they seem to know where to make their connection, but many get overwhelmed by the streams of people coming from all directions at different velocities.
The observant will notice some passengers have no bags, while others rely on a porter. There are groupings of individuals, couples, families; young and old. Some stumble across old friends, get distracted and are happy to catch a later train. Others, rudely plow through the crowds, leaving an undulating path in their wake.
Whistles blow, announcements are made, and we all run to our desired train, hoping this one will get us closer to our destination. A few, blindly board the nearest locomotive. In some cases, it is the one they had just disembarked. They want to return from whence they came; others are in an oblivious rut.
Regardless of your circumstance, pack appropriately for your trip. Your values, your purpose (if you have one) and your integrity, are a few of the essentials to carry with you.
Always try to lighten your load. Don’t bring your baggage of worries, and know ahead of time what train you want to get on. Control what you can. Recognize that you are on the right track. Then let go and stay productive during the trip.
If you are pursuing wanderlust, the destination of the train will not matter, though even then, you were probably choosy about the general direction you wanted to take.
If you are committed to pursuing a worthwhile goal, make a plan and then work that plan. Give yourself permission to allow for adjustments along the way. There will be delays, disruptive travel companions, perhaps questionable food choices. Your view will not always be spectacular, contingent on which side of the train you sit. Others may find a beautiful vista to be a burdensome distraction. Choose wisely.
Either way, have safe journeys and enjoy the ride.
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Don’t get confused at the year end train station. Here is a proposed itinerary for you.
- Download our Free Planning Bundle.
- For extra help, pick one of our December offers.
- Schedule a conversation around your goal setting.
Also published on Medium.