If you were going to drive to somewhere unfamiliar - whether cross country or just across
city - what would be first thing you would do? Map it out? And then after you mapped it out, would you never look at map again? Not likely.More likely, you would refer to map often, to make sure that you were on right track. You would be able to tell quickly if you needed to make adjustments, correct a mistake, or consider a change of plans.
Posting your goals, standards, boundaries, mission statement, etc. is very much like having a map to refer to.A "Life Map".
In today's busy world, it's easy to get off course. Having a Life Map to refer to helps you keep moving quickly and efficiently towards your goals. It helps you to filter out things that don't belong, helps you quickly correct things when you mess up, helps you navigate unexpected problems.
But if you don't have map where you can see it and refer to it often, all planning in world won't matter. You'll end up driving aimlessly around unfamiliar territory, being distracted by many different paths.knowing where you want to go, but having no tried and true method of getting there.
What else might that driving map tell you?
Perhaps that there is more than one way to get to where you are going.the freeway or back way, for example. It may show you various ways of getting to same place, depending on your starting point. It may show you alternate route which could be used to detour around unexpected problems (the inevitable construction crew), or obstacles put in your way. It may show you a phone number to call for assistance if you get lost, or an estimated time of your journey, or even a time that you are expected at your destination. It might show you milestones, or landmarks, so that you can chart your progress.
All these things are important for your Life Map as well. Where are you starting from? What are your resources? Do you want to take fast track, or do you prefer a slower approach? What back-up plans do you have for handling inevitable unexpected problems? Who do you go to for assistance to make sure you stay on right track?
Without a map to refer to often, it might be easy to get distracted from your destination. Let's say for example that you were headed to a friend's house for a party, and along way you might notice a restaurant, or a beautiful piece of scenery, or a movie that you wanted to see. Would you stop and go to restaurant or movie? Would you put your ultimate objective on hold because something else got your attention for moment?
