”Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”   — Albert Einstein

“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”   — Mark Twain

Kirk Out

“Living consciously involves being genuine; it involves listening and responding to others honestly and openly; it involves being in the moment.”  ~ Sidney Poitier

Interestingly I recieved both of these quotes this morning within just moments of one another.  On the surface they may seem to be only slightly related….or at least that was my first impression - but I think there is more there for the pondering mind to consider.

Enjoy  - Kirk

“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” ~ Abraham Maslow

Many of our fears are tissue paper thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them.  — Brendan Francis

I have always liked leaders that inspire me.  As I reflect on how they have done this… it has not been with hype or manipulation…. rather is has been with stories and insights that have helped me to learn and grow.  Learning then affects the way we see things, the way we see others, and the way we see ourselves.  It changes us….and that changes everything.

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”  - W. B. Yeats

So let’s go inspire someone….let’s teach them something.

Kirk Out

Anyone can set a goal 

But most folks rarely do

Fewer still review their goals

To see if their course is staying true.

If we don’t check our course and commitment often

How can we our destinations reach

We might end up back where we started

Instead of relaxing at the beach.

Many years ago I remember hearing a story of how an airplane arrives at it’s destination by constantly re-aligning itself to it’s intended goal.  Below is a version of that story that I found amazingly enough with “GOOGLE”.   Remember - you are already in the minority for even having “Set a goal”!  Now stay alert, stay focused and stay on target - but checking your progress and adjusting your focus and energy as necessary so that you can accomplish your goal!  You can do this!!

Kirk Out

One Degree Difference - Jeffrey Czajka

Did you know that a plane is constantly a few degrees off course?  Think about that.  Before a plane takes off, it will have a flight plan drawn out.  Then while it is in the air, the plane will be off course most of the way.  How then, can it arrive at the correct city at the correct time?

The similarities between an airplane’s flight path and life are quite striking.  Think about goal setting.  In the past, you may have set a goal, started working on it, and the whole time you were off course.  Yet, like the plane, you still reached your destination, your goal, on time.  How can this be? 

It can be that way because a plane has something called automatic pilot and global positioning systems (GPS).  These two mechanical devices constantly communicate with each other to make sure the plane readjusts.  Every few seconds the plane gets a reading from the GPS as to where it is in its flight path.  If the plane is off course, it will correct itself.    

Part of setting a “good goal” is writing out a plan for accomplishing it.  Your very own “flight path” if you will.  The major challenge we have as humans is that we don’t have autopilot and GPS to make sure we stay on track.  That means we have to do a couple of things.

First, you need to write down your goal.  When you write down your goal, it should be broken down into quarterly, monthly, and weekly goals.  Hang it in your office.  Make it your screen saver.  Change all your passwords to your goal.  Write it on the rearview mirror of your car.  Make sure your goal is constantly in front of you.  Not seeing and thinking about your goal is like not typing your flight path into the plane’s automatic pilot program - you won’t know where to go!  

Second, you need to track and review your progress.  Some type of Excel spreadsheet can be very helpful for this.  But if you are not computer savvy, no need to worry, it doesn’t have to be fancy.  You could simply make a hand written chart to track your progress.  Tracking your goal will act as your own GPS signal and tell you where you are at.  By looking at your chart, you should be able to know very quickly whether or not you are on, ahead, or behind in accomplishing your goal. 

Third, you need to get back to the plan.  If you are off track, you need to adjust and get back on course.  If you are on or ahead of your plan, look at what’s coming up and make sure the plan you started with will continue to work.  There is nothing wrong with changing your plan if you figure out it will not take you where you want to go.

Being one degree off course means a flight from LA to New York City would land in the Atlantic Ocean.  Being one degree off track for your goals could feel like you are on that flight from LA.  Plan, write, hang, and review your goals.  In so doing, you will create your own autopilot and GPS to achieving your goals.   

The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money.  — Bernard Meltzer (1914-) American Law Professor