5 Ways to Reach Your Ideal Destination
Do you remember driving with your kids on the family vacation? It seemed like a good idea, but 30 minutes into the trip the kids are bored and they start bugging you with 2 questions; “Mom, how much longer?” and “Are we there yet?” You probably pestered your parents with the same questions when you were a kid.
“How much longer?” and “Are we there yet?” are questions we continue to ask throughout our life.
You are heading into a new school year. Do you know where you are heading? Where do you want to end up this year?
What is your ideal destination? Are you there yet?
5 Ways to Reach Your Ideal Destination
1. You need to decide where you are going.
Here is one thing for sure. You will never reach your destination, if you have no idea where you are going.
This is an opportune time to decide how you want this year to go. What direction are you heading and where do you want to end up?
Your daughter is thinking about the new school year. She is deciding about what clubs to join or teams to try out for. She is thinking about what group of kids she wants to hang out with, and those she doesn’t. She wants to make better grades this year.
What’s your destination? Maybe you want to have a peaceful year. You want to get along with your daughter. You want a life. You want to finally lose all that baby weight. You want a new job.
This is great, but too many people stop here. Too many people just ‘want’ and never get in the car.
2. You need to know your starting point.
Every GPS has a starting point which is where you are currently located. You can’t get to your final destination without it.
This can be hard. In fact it can be a huge roadblock. To find your starting point you have to admit to yourself that you are not where you want to be. Some of you have been there a long time and you are feeling stuck. It’s like you give up before you start and when this happens you are vulnerable to shame.
When shame takes over it brings your car to a screeching stop. Here’s how shame stops you and your daughter.
Mom Final Destination: You want to have a peaceful home and enjoy family time.
Starting Point: Your home is full of stress. There is tension in the home and it’s uncomfortable for everyone.
Screeching stop: You feel like a failure as a mom. You would run away if you could.
Daughter Final Destination: Your daughter wants an awesome, fun, cute boyfriend that adores her.
Starting Point: She has never had a boyfriend. When she thinks about this she feels like a loser.
Screeching stop: She thinks, “I’m such a loser no one will like me”. She gives up and feels worse about herself.
When our focus and attention is stuck on the starting point we lose track of our destination. You want to move your focus from the starting point to the final destination.
3. You need a new GPS.
Sometimes you need a new GPS.
I was talking to a friend the other day. She told me I needed to get a GPS for my car. I told her I had one in my iPhone. She said, “That’s better because the iPhone constantly updates the GPS and it is more reliable than the one in my car. I followed the GPS from my car and ended up at the wrong destination.”
You don’t want to follow a GPS of shame, worry, negativity or anger. It will take you to the wrong destination.
Your new GPS comes from listening to your inner wisdom and faith. It also can come from a mentor or life coach who can help you find new roads. They help you update your GPS. I am so grateful for my mentor who has helped me reach my ideal destinations. Before I worked with her I didn’t think those destinations were possible.
This is why I love what I do. I am so honored to help women reach their destination. You really can get there. You just need another route.
4. Keep driving.
“Are we there yet?” It’s easy to get off to a good start and want to stop half way. I remember driving from Houston to Colorado many times. If I had stopped half way I would be stuck in the barren plains of the Texas panhandle. I would have missed the beauty of the Colorado Rockies.
You don’t want to be robbed of reaching your destination. Keep your focus on where you want to go and keep driving. You need encouragement and support from your partner, good friends or a mentor. You can’t do this on your own.
5. Enjoy the ride.
Too often we sound like the kids in the back of the car whining, “How Much Longer?” It’s easy to complain and be impatient. When you ask this question you miss what’s right before you. Yes our focus is on the destination but it can also be on the ride. I remember how I felt when I saw the first hill on the horizon when driving to Colorado. I was excited because the hill let me know we were getting closer to the Rocky Mountains. I kept looking for other signs. Then I saw the mountain range off in the distance.
Look for the signs along the way. It doesn’t matter how small they are. They let you know you are on the right road and another mile closer to your destination.
In the beginning of October I am launching my Power Your Parenting. This online program is designed to get you to your ideal destination. It’s an intimate group of moms who will get lots of great attention from me. If you are interested call me at 713-408-6112. I’d love to tell you about it and see if you would be a good fit.