Where Are You Going?

"It isn't where we came from; it's where we're going that counts."
- Ella Fitzgerald

Many of the quotes that inspire my blogs are quotes that I’m hearing for the first time myself. The one above, however, is certainly one I’ve heard on multiple occasions. Although I really like what this quote represents, I feel like most people don’t digest it fully and aren't able to use it to help them get where they want to go. On the surface, it seems this quote simply means something along the lines of "just because you didn't come from greatness, doesn't mean you can't achieve greatness." Although this may also have bearing, it's easy to overlook the reality that it's your actions every day - even yesterday - that helps shape your tomorrow. Although it's where we're going that counts, it doesn't mean where we came from doesn't have meaning as well.

I've mentioned time and again that in business, there's no shortage of lessons that can be learned from the constant trial and error that comes with owning a business. In regards to the business, we came from nothing and have now built a business that employs over 20 people - certainly a testament to the quote above. However, where we've come from is very much a part of where we're going, and without the paths that we've traveled, we naturally wouldn't be where we're at today. Decisions that we've made throughout the years, good and bad, have shaped the business we have today, as well as the business that we'll have in the future.

In my personal life, it fascinates me to see the many different outcomes from seemingly similar circumstances growing up. For example, I hear very sad stories about children who were abused while young, who then in turn have abusive relationships themselves. I've also heard the opposite of children who were abused while young that vow to never be abusive themselves. The latter scenario is a good example of how the above quote can be positively interpreted, but we may find the former scenario to be the more likely result. The reason for this is because it may be much more difficult for someone who has been conditioned to a certain way of life, to have the restraint necessary to correct the behaviors that they're used to.

Although it's where we're going that counts, where we come from certainly is never lost or forgotten. One may need to work a lot harder to achieve the same results as another, but if you stay focussed on where you're going, you have a much better chance on eventually getting there.