Choose Your Destination

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
- Albert Einstein

You can always count on good ole Albert Einstein to spark inspiration through his words of wisdom. It's amusing how what seems to be a "duh" statement can lead to an "aha" moment. Often times, it's not the understanding of the words which will help you, but it's the execution. It seems pretty obvious that if you travel the same path of thought, you'll end up at the same destination, however that's not necessarily true. There are many choices and obstacles along the way where changing the outcome of any one element may set you on an entirely different path.

Each individual has a different idea of what they hope to achieve in their professional life. Some look for riches, some look for stability, some look for a challenge among other things. No matter what you look for, not keeping your end goal in mind will likely lead you down the wrong path. For example, let's say someone doesn't work "for the money." Maybe they make enough money and are content with their current life. Then an opportunity for a promotion comes up which includes more responsibility, as well as more money. It may seem natural to jump at the chance without even thinking about why, or even if they should. It could be for the money, the recognition, the respect, or just because it feels like the right thing to do. However, the added responsibly may lead to more time away from family, more stress, and possibly an overall decline in their qualify of life. If this person was perfectly content with their life, and they were really only looking for stability to maintain what they have, then taking on a promotion may be counterproductive to their overall goal. This isn't something I personally relate to as I enjoy progress and the concept of "moving up," but it helps to put in perspective the idea that if you're not where you want to be, you may need to change your way of thinking. Otherwise you can't expect to end up in a different place than you are now.

Our personal lives can be a bit more difficult to put into perspective. From the time we're born, we are learning a way of life. What we don't know until we have our own experiences, is that what we've learned may be completely wrong for what we hope to achieve. Let's say someone has a simple goal of being happy and healthy - that's not asking for much, right? However, if from the time you're born you live in an environment where the norm is mac & cheese and soda pop, mixed with a stressful and unsettled home life, then it's likely you won't naturally be taught how to make the right decisions to create a nurturing environment for yourself. This isn't to say that you're doomed from the time you're born and that there is no hope for you, but it just means you may not be able to rely on the same kind of thinking that you may have inherited growing up. You may need to work a little harder to figure out the answers, but that in itself is changing the way you think, and therefore can help set you on a different path.

It seems pretty obvious that if you travel the same path of thought, you'll end up at the same destination, but this will only be true if you focus on the destination you're after and make the right decisions along the way.