Aiming For Success? How to Keep on Track

Sometimes it is essential to take stock - in fact our success depends on it. Here's a recent experience of mine that shows why.

I had arranged a short break in the country. I drove the car and my friend read the map. Before each leg of the journey we would agree the route that we would take to our next destination. The trouble was that after a few miles we would get lost.

Struggling to stay patient, I would stop the car and between us we would try to work out what had gone wrong. It was clear that my friend remembered the route we had agreed. It was also clear that he was in no doubt about our destination.

It was only after yet another deviation into unplanned country lanes that I finally twigged what was happening. Although my friend knew exactly where we had started from and where we were going, he was not keeping track as we motored along of our current position!

The result was that when we came to a road junction, he did not know which one it was on the map. Therefore we became reliant purely on road signs which were often non-existent.

Fortunately, there was a happy ending. With practice my navigator became more proficient and I would glance across to the passenger seat and see him with his finger on the map tracing our progress!

It struck me that it's like this in life too. We can be clear where we started from and clear about our goals. But if we do not check our current position now and again, how can we know we are on track? We may be lost.

As it happens, a holiday is a good time to take stock. When you are out of your normal environment it's easier to take a more objective view. But you can take stock at any time. The critical thing is to be honest - your current position is where you are, not where you would like to think you are.

I decided it was time for me to take stock and here are the questions I used. You might like to use them too.

1. What is working well?

- What is energising?

- What is exciting?

- What do I look forward to doing?

- What do I relish?

- What am I glad that's on my 'To Do' list?

- What do I do that puts me into creative mode?

2. What is not working?

- What makes me groan?

- What am I bored by?

- What drains me of energy?

- What makes me want to stay under the duvet?

- What is not 'me'?

- What is wasting precious time?

3. What are the lost opportunities?

- What is past its sell-by date?

- What am I doing purely out of habit?

- What was energising but has now reached a plateau?

- What of my strengths are under-utilised?

- Where could I add more value?

- Where is my natural curiosity leading?

As you 'trace your finger over your map', you can see how near or far you are from your chosen destination.

I'm Trevor Hill, author and inspiration coach. I help people who want to break out of current limitations and enjoy inspired and rewarding lives. You can claim your free copy of my downloadable book 'Passport To Inspiration' containing 7 proven techniques you can use right away - just click on <a target="_new" href="http://www.inspiration-at-work.co.uk/">http://www.inspiration-at-work.co.uk</A>

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Aiming-For-Success?-How-to-Keep-on-Track&id=4683317] Aiming For Success? How to Keep on Track

The Wisdom Of Letting Go - The Monkey and The Butterfly

The Wisdom Of Letting Go - The Monkey and The Butterfly
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Hill]Trevor Hill

When you really want something, the advice to 'let go' seems crazy. Yet when you look more closely, it becomes clear that holding on can destroy the very things you want.

It reminds me of a story of catching monkeys. When I checked, some say the story comes from Asia, other sources claim South America - maybe it's both. The way the monkey trap works is this. The monkey hunter uses a container that has a narrow opening at the top just large enough for a monkey's hand. This container is tethered firmly to the jungle floor and inside the hunter puts all sorts of food that monkeys love.

As the sun warms the container, it spreads a delicious aroma. When a monkey picks up the scent, it's drawn to the container and reaches inside for the food. But when it tries to withdraw, its clenched hand is too big to come out.

Now, rather than drop the food and regain its freedom, the monkey hangs on. Even as the hunter approaches with a net, the monkey struggles to keep the food. It's bad for the monkey which ends up in a zoo, or worse.

The parallel is obvious - what do we hold on to so tightly, refusing to let go, that causes us to lose our freedom? What appears to be worth so much that it costs your liberty?

Holding too tightly has another danger - it can destroy the very thing we are holding. As children we learn that if we grasp a butterfly too hard we will crush it. The pretty, dancing creature that delights us is put in jeopardy by an overbearing grip.

Instead, if we want to hold a butterfly, we can cup it gently, creating a space with both hands that respects its delicate nature. This way we stop it flying away but the downside is that we cannot see it - our hands hide its beauty.

Better still is to wait quietly near nectar bearing flowers and watch closely as the butterflies come and go. They are free in their natural element as they dance in the sunshine. Sometimes they will rest, wings open, and you can enjoy their full magnificence. You may even find that they touch down on your outstretched hand.

You may be thinking that although this seems desirable, it is all rather dreamy and a shade too passive. So let's get practical:

1. What are you holding onto that is taking your freedom?
2. What are you holding so tightly that you are crushing the life out?
3. What could you do to attract the 'butterfly' you wish for?

Depending on your answers, choose one step to take and notice the difference!

Welcome - I'm Trevor Hill, author and inspiration coach. You can get specific details on 7 great techniques to inspire yourself in my free downloadable book 'Passport to Inspiration' from <a target="_new" href="http://www.inspiration-at-work.co.uk/">http://www.inspiration-at-work.co.uk</A>

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Wisdom-Of-Letting-Go---The-Monkey-and-The-Butterfly&id=5142736] The Wisdom Of Letting Go - The Monkey and The Butterfly