It is important that, when trying to determine a destination, you think of things that are important to you, overall. Not just now, but in "long run" of your life. Ask yourself such questions as:

- Where do I want to be? - What do I want to do? - What is important to me?

In days of wagon trains, "ruts" were created in ground by continual traffic over one path. In life, a rut is caused by continual travel between same places in your existence. In examining questions in detail, you can eventually define a destination outside of your current situation and break out of any ruts that might keep you moving along same paths.

--- Headin' Down Highway ---

Once you go through process of picking a destination, you have to head in general direction to reach that destination. It's like driving down a highway. If you're driving down I-10 West, you have a choice to make. Do you go to Las Vegas or Los Angeles? If chosen destination is Las Vegas, take I-40 exit then head North on various highways. If you choose Los Angeles, take I-10 all way in through Needles. The point is, you chose destination, but along that path, you will experience different terrain, decisions, and changes before you reach that destination.

In some cases, path is treacherous, hot, and muggy and you twinge at expectation that destination will be a living hell, when in fact, destination is an oasis of more than you could have ever hoped. In other cases, path is easy, yet destination is a wild, hot, and crowded place that may not meet your expectations. Whatever assumed outcome, make changes to accommodate yourself, but stay course.

Realize that once you pick a destination in life, you will have to figure out how to get there. Every destination has a different path with different "obstacles." These obstacles, however, are helpful "classes" in preparing you for your ultimate destination. You can plan for some of these classes by simply examining what it will take to reach your destination. You must set your goals, vision, and mission before you can understand challenges that must be overcome to reach your ultimate destination. It's sometimes a difficult task, but it can be done.

--- Pie in Sky ---

I remember being told so many times that my vision of my life was "pie in sky." I never cared, and kept on plodding---into failure. But, it wasn't until I began to manage my expectations that I was able to reach my lofty destinations with success. Picking a destination that is far beyond your immediate reach can lead to disappointment and frustration. Failure leads to more failure and eventually, complete surrender.

I'm not telling you to give up on your lofty goals, I'm telling you to slow down and take a good look at where you're going. You must learn how to break your dreams into smaller pieces. Take only pieces of pie instead of whole thing at one time. If you conquer one piece, you're that much closer to your ultimate vision. Conquer one piece at a time and learn as you go. It not only makes you smarter and stronger, but it will also give you a better chance of conquering next leg of your journey to reach that, originally, lofty goal.

--- What's next? ---

We do have a controllable destiny, but we have to learn what it is that is keeping us from satisfying our desires and reaching our chosen destination. This destination must be earned by researching path it takes to get you there. This is where you must come to understand your belief system and how to make it grow to accommodate your goals.

So many people allow apathy to control their lives. They wait for their destinies to come to them. In some cases, they call it "allowing God to guide" them when, in fact, "He" is within us all allowing us to chose and move in whichever direction we desire. If you still feel like God and Universe has a plan for your life, and you really don't want to try to step out of your situation to move toward a better life, just remember:

"God helps those who help themselves."

Consider this, if all of us in wrong jobs played musical chairs, we might all find ourselves in right jobs. The accountant who hates numbers but loves helping people with their problems switches careers with therapist who falls asleep during his sessions but loves to balance his checkbook. What if we were all doing what we were passionate about? Would our courageous move toward passion make a better world? That seems pretty practical.

Talent And Experience

Our talents are most often coupled with our passion simply because we rarely improve on areas that we have no interest. Experience does not have to be quantified in number of paid hours. That is hostage paycheck mentality. Life is more balanced than your checkbook, so depend on it to understand your real experience in areas you want to pursue as a career. In other words align your talents with your life experience.

Do you volunteer at a homeless shelter? Do you belong to society of Antique Collecting? Have you achieved weight loss and now want to teach others? These are life experiences that may not be quantified by pay, but are worth their weight in gold.

People Power

The primary power for moving toward your career of choice lies in locating others who will support you in making this goal a reality. Networking is absolutely vital to progress. Join professional organizations within your interest. Locate headhunters and recruiters that can put you in right place at right time. Surround yourself with powerful individuals that will pave way and before you know it, you will be working in your career of choice.