Which road to follow?
We all have to make choices every day over which direction to go.
- We have the regular routes we follow including those we can do with our eyes closed – to the bathroom or our child’s room in the middle of the night.
- There are short journeys in our local area – to school, work, shops or other local amenities.
- Than there are those journeys we make less frequently, but are still familiar, perhaps to visit a relative or friend.
- Finally there are those which we have never taken before.
How do we choose which route to take?
For most journeys there is more than one way we can go – we all know about avoiding certain routes at peak times and if it is your local area you will know the shortcuts.
What about if you are in a less familiar area? You are sitting in a queue of traffic and you see lots of cars turning down a side road. Do you follow them because they seem to know where they are going, or do you remain in the traffic queue because you don’t know where the route will bring you out?
We all have different ways of dealing with these situations. We may just stay on the main roads and follow the signs. But what happens when the signposts are missing or the place you want to go suddenly disappears off the signs (and we’ve all been there)?
In these days of satnav we can punch in our current position and where we want to go and then just follow the directions. But we’ve all seen or experienced ending up in a dead end, the wrong place, or huge lorries down narrow roads unable to turn around.
We can look at a map and plan which we to go, either in advance through one of the route planners or by looking at the map ourselves; or as we go along, making decisions based on what we have just experienced.
Our journey online can be much like this. I’m sure that you’ve probably guessed which way I am going with this so I won’t give the analogies to every journey.
I personally don’t use a satnav – I suppose that I want to feel more in control of what I am doing. However it often gives us confidence to know that someone is giving us directions, especially if they know what they are doing. Unfortunately, we know what can happen if we blindly follow and get led astray – it can be difficult to turn around.
The nice thing about maps (and I love them – was brought up on them and don’t like to go anywhere without one) is that there is more than one way to get somewhere.
Sometimes we want to take the motorway because we have to get somewhere quickly or have a deadline to make.
Sometimes we have a bit more time and can take things more slowly because we want to admire the view.
And sometimes we find something interesting on that map that we just have to go and investigate – it might or might not be worthwhile, but it all adds to our experience.
But in the end, no matter which road we take, as long as we know where we want to end up, we should enjoy the journey, learn from our experiences and be friendly to those we meet along the way. We never know when we may be able to help and support each other.
And I think there should be plenty of that going on – ever notice how many people avoid looking you in the eye when you approach each other on a path…?
So each of us needs to find the way that works for us at a particular time. It can and should change if we feel that we are going in a direction that is not right for us at that time.
Do you know what it is that you are trying to achieve online – your initial or subsequent destination?
What do you need to do to get there and what can you use to help you along the way?
Let’s make some decisions, find out route and start moving forward.
As the proverb says:
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Hi Hilary
Our journey in IM is just that a journey from nothing to success. We choose the route we take, the help (training) we accept along the way.
We then have to take the action needed to move us along the route as without doing what is needed we might as well stay in bed and quit.
Richard
Richard Moloney invites you to read Why I Hate Flat Pack Furniture
Hi Richard
You are right about choosing the route we take and the help we receive – this can and does change at various times, but we must also value the journey. Sometimes it will be a fast one and sometimes more leisurely, but there are always opportunities to learn along the way.
One thing I am certain of – I will not stay in bed and quit – even if some days I feel like doing that!
Hils
Hi Hils
Yes there are many ways to go and if you find that you have taken the “wrong” route, turn around and get yourself back on track. The beauty about our journey with IBCX is the great training from the G men and the help and support from fellow members.
To YOUR success
Sue
Sue McDonald invites you to read Do Not Buy Leads
Hi Sue
I think that this is the beauty of life generally that we don’t all have to be on one very crowded road, but can follow other ways to get to our destination.
It may take us down back lanes or winding roads, but down there the view cn be more inspiring, so that even if it takes longer to get there, the journey has been more pleasant. Sometimes, we just have to get on the motorway because we cannot afford (time or money-wise) to go the long way.
How we choose our route is also a matter of preference – and in this case, as we have chosen IBCX and the 2Gs, we have an excellent choice of material to help us along our way. Now we need to focus on that and avoid ‘shiny objects’.
There is a lesson there for us all.
Hils
Hi Hils
Many years ago I got knocked down by a car that came down a bank onto the pavement, Eddie was late picking me up so I started walking home. He saw me being put into the anbulance and followed the ambulance to a not very familiar hospital. He lost the anbulance when the traffic lights changed, but picked it up further down the road. Unfortunately, that one went back to the ambulance station! He did eventually get to the hospital.
The IM road can be long and winding and many people take the wrong road or get lost. Hopefully we will keep going in the right direction..
Dee
Dee invites you to read Subscribing to email lists
Hi Dee
That is a perfect example of how many of us have become lost on our IM journey. Yes it can be long and winding, but so often we have to be ready to move forward in a more focussed way before we are able to do it.
We can know in our hearts what we need to do, but if we are not quite ready to do it, then the journey can become too hard and we give up. This can be temporary or sometimes even permanent, but with a good guide we always have a way to move forward when we are ready. The important thing for each individual is to find the guide that works for them and to follow it well.
Hils
Hi Hilary
Hope you are well, excellent blog post you have here and some great analogies with regards to IM and relation to real life situations – I think one of the main issue is that like you have mentioned, they are many ways and routes to a destination, just as they are many paths we can take in life, the matter is whether when one has chosen the route, do they have belief and confidence in themselves to pursue and travel along their chosen route regardless what may happen, and whether they have the determination and willpower to continue through the choice right through to the end. I guess for some this is not a major concern and as you also mentioned, some will prefer to savour the experience of the journey instead because to them that is more precious that reaching the destination.
Anyway, hope you and family are keeping well.
Speak soon and looking forward to your next blog post. Keep up the great work!
Nigel
Nigel Yip invites you to read Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!
Hi Nigel
So glad to see that you are back again – I guess your had a little detour down a quiet lane for a while whilst you sorted things out? Sometimes we really need to do that rather than be taken along by the flow at a great rate of knots.
I have my own detours too – I am back at school this week and begin my adult teaching again next week – this all takes time with preparation etc, but these are the things that make our journeys unique. It’s just great to join with others along the way at times.
Next blog post is partly prepared and I must get it finished, but I am off tomorrow for a couple of days with my mum and sisters to celebrate mum’s 80th birthday. Looking forward to a good time together. Thanks for coming this way.
Hils
Hi Hilary
Hehe, yes it is most wonderful to be back again after a quiet detour, and wow doesn’t time fly fast, the summer holidays only felt like just yesterday and now it’s almost the end of september with everyone either back at school, or at work, and shops already fitting out with christmas items.
Anyway I thought I would pop by to see how things were going, hope you had a wonderful time with your mum and sister last week.
Speak soon
Nigel
Nigel Yip invites you to read LWS 4 – Social Media- It’s not About Me, It’s about You!!!
Hi Nigel
Thanks for coming back – as you can see I’ve not yet got my next post finished – oh dear! I have lots of excuses, including doing job applications, but I know I need to be more consistent with my posting…
Had a great time with my mum and sisters – my mum was so surprised to see my older sister who had come up on the train. We had beautiful weather and were able to celebrate at mum’s pace. We have all taken part in making those memories, not only for my mum, but for us too. That is so important in our lives to be able to do that – and it leaves no clutter behind either.
Yes, time is flying fast, but I try to enjoy each season as it comes around – we need them all. I love autumn when we have good days.
Hils
Hi Hilary,
Very interesting post.
It’s funny how life lessons are also applicable to our journey online. And I think you hit a key note when you say there are many roads to where we want to be.
What I also find, is that as I go through my life or business journey, where I’m going changes. You have to follow your own heart, inner intuition if you will…inner passion as well as maps.
I think sometimes we get too attached to the map and forget to live and enjoy!!!
This reminds me of a movie I watched recently with Steven Coogan titled “The Trip”. Did you see it? It’s about Steven’s 5 day trip through northern England with a friend, for a restaurant food piece Steve’s been hired to do. Of course, you have to watch it. It’s funny with beautiful scenery, but also touches on a life lesson or sorts. (Warning – the movie might make you hungry).
Thanks for that touch of inspiration!
Louise
Louise Mandar invites you to read 5 Internet Marketing Tips To Get You Unstuck
Hi Louise
You’re so right about life lessons being relevant online – I see connections all of the time. Even when things don’t work out, if we can learn lessons from what has happened we can continue to move forwards. An important reason for us to enjoy the scenery as well as the map!
I haven’t seen “The Trip” – I’ll have to look out for it. I love the scenery in the North of England – I was at university in the North East many years ago and got out into the countryside whenever I could (with a map, of course!).
I seem to have less time to get out and about now, although we enjoyed our recent holiday on the Norfolk coast. We just need to take time when we can and enjoy the autumn with all its beauty. The trees are really beginning to change colour now – I’m looking forward to kicking the leaves!
Hils