I took a train into Chicago today for a training session that was held downtown. The long (hour and forty minute) trip each way gave me plenty of time to think – and it gave me a topic for this week’s blog post.
As I watched the train zoom past cars that were stopped at crossings, it struck me how efficient a train is when traveling between two specific points. It has a fixed route that takes the most direct path between point A and point B and all other vehicle traffic has to stop to make way for it. Other than scheduled stops at the stations along its route, the train stops for nothing enroute to its scheduled destination.
All that is great… as long as the train’s destination is where you want to go.
What, however, if where you want to go isn’t one of the scheduled stops for the train you are on? I think that many people, myself included, jump on board a given train before we give enough thought to where it might take us. Somewhere along the way, if we are observant, we see that the train’s destination isn’t going to be all that we were expecting… but then what?
Do we stay in our comfortable seats and determine to make the best of whatever we find at our final destination? Do we gather up our belongings and make a beeline for the door so that we can get off the train at the next stop and adjust our route? Or do we signal for an emergency stop, break out a window, and leap from the train so that we don’t spend another minute moving toward an unwanted destination?
Clearly, I’m at the point where I have recognized that my train is heading somewhere that I don’t really want to go. I’m determined that I won’t take the easy path and just sit back and hope that my destination turns out to be better than I expect. On the other hand, as much as a part of me would like to take the third option, declare an emergency and leap from the train that I’m on, I feel that my responsibilities take precedence over my immediate desires. Still, while I can’t deny a bit of envy for those in a position to take that third option, I think that the middle path has a lot to recommend it.
Recognizing that one is on the wrong train and determining to correct that is a significant step. Once you’ve decided to get off the train, you don’t have to take a blind leap, however. Instead, you can pull out your map and plan for your next change in route, calmly move toward the door and be ready to exit the train at the station that puts you in the best possible location to strike out in a new direction. That is my plan, anyway.
Until next time… Still seeking success,
Mike
