Plan Your Journey

Click to download and print   Coaching Tip-road trip

Start by remembering your “vision”, what you deeply desire for how you want to move through this life.  How you want to show up in the world.  (?link to previous issue)  Think of this as your “final destination”.

When you decide to go on a trip, you don’t automatically “arrive” there, right?  There are a few things to do to get ready, stops along the way (sometimes even unexpected detours!).

What do you need to learn, get, buy, borrow or do before you can get started on your journey.  Think of these kinds of things as your first stop/stops on your journey.

What would be a good first milestone?

  • For example, if you want to be someone who runs for fitness and endurance. You would eventually like to run for 45 minutes 4 or 5 days a week, and you currently walk 3 days a week for 20 minutes, your first milestone might be walking 4 days a week for 30 minutes.
  • What might a good next milestone be? Maybe walking 4 days a week for 30 minutes followed by 10 minutes of running.
  • You would continue charting next steps until you achieve what you want. Remember that the “what you want” is more than just doing the task required but that it gets you WHAT YOU REALLY WANT…that deep desire of what you want for yourself…In this case, feeling fit, strong, knowing you have the resilience to do something challenging, the joy of feeling your body exert itself and watching yourself get stronger and stronger (regardless of what happens with your weight).

The purpose of charting this “roadmap” is to anticipate the PROCESS that you will go through, and possible obstacles.  I love the phrase: Divorce the outcome, marry the process!

It sets up a realistic approach, and helps you be more patient with yourself while letting you sense your accomplishments all along the way, not just when the “destination” is reached.  Its about enjoying and experiencing the whole journey.

It can be fun to literally sketch out what this “route” will look like.

DO THIS:  Go ahead, grab a piece of paper and a pen (or crayons, colored pencils, stickers-make it as simple or as fancy as you like!)

  • Is is a short straight path?
  • A twisty turny switchbacks mountainous route?
  • Are there obstacles? What do they look like?  A gate or a mountain?  Puddles or rivers?
  • Are there bridges or hi-speed lanes?

Place your roadmap where you can see it often.  Let it be a pleasant reminder of where you are headed.  Dream about what it will be like when you get there!