Does the subtitle of this edition of Footprints and Monuments seem familiar? It does to me, in a very personal way. When I was a teenager, my father and I loved to go hunting. We would hunt whatever was in season, and anything else that moved—especially snakes, but that’s another story.
On one of our hunting trips, my dad and I were about thirty yards apart, waiting for a specific type of bird to fly over. I was prepared. My gun was loaded. My mind was sharp. I was determined to outshoot my father that day. But as I sat there in my “ready” position, I accidentally pulled the trigger. Boom! The blast of the shotgun startled me as I realized I had fired the shot with my gun pointed just a few feet away from where my father was sitting. I had fired before I aimed, and in doing so, I nearly shot my father.
I see a similar pattern in many people’s personal and professional lives. Often, people get themselves ready with education, positive thinking, and influential connections—but they fire before they aim. Aiming is a planning process, one that requires time and careful thought before you can shoot your way to success in life, in business, or in relationships.
You might be asking, “I know how to get ready and how to take action, but how do I aim first, and then fire?” Or, “Is this just another goal-setting exercise?” The answer is no. This is about life planning. To aim effectively, you must first understand where you want to go and what you’re passionate about.
Here are a few questions to help you establish your aim, ensuring you’re heading in the right direction toward the life, organization, and relationships you desire.
Life Planning with Accurate Aim:
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Where do you want to be in five, ten, or even twenty years? One way to answer this is by drawing a picture—a visual representation of your goals. This picture will give you purpose, passion, and energy. It will also serve as a constant reminder of what you are aiming for.
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What standards of excellence, growth, and progress review do you need to put in place to keep you on track?
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Do you have someone in your life who holds you accountable, making sure you don’t fire too soon, or before you’ve aimed properly?
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A solid system is often more reliable than a good friend when it comes to life planning. What tasks are on your to-do list today that will help you bring your vision to life tomorrow?
By taking the time to aim first, you’ll find that your journey toward success becomes more focused and purposeful. Just like in hunting, making sure you aim before you fire could make all the difference.