- On a recent road trip to Denver, it dawned on me that even with the best intentions and planning, we can't avoid road hazards. Hazards come in all varieties: weather, road construction, debris hazards, slow drivers, accidents, "gawkers" (i.e., those who like to slow down because there are flashing lights). No app, map, or well laid plan can accurately predict all these potential hazards, and yet, despite knowing this, many of us expect a flawless journey. And when that inevitable hazard pops up, especially on long journeys, we feel frustrated, maybe even angry or disappointed in ourselves.
- This feeling of frustration when our physical journeys don't meet our expectations rings true in our professional journeys as well. When we make long-term plans, say five to ten years out, inevitably we will hit snags. Not everything will go as quickly or as smoothly as we had hoped. We may face illness, injury, layoffs, bankruptcy, family emergencies, natural disasters, pandemics, corporate restructuring, new technology, competition, and the list can go on.
- We might be so disappointed in these bumps in our road to reach our goals that we question whether we should stop and go back. We might question our motives for creating those goals in the first place. Just as in our physical travels, we might wonder why we even left the comfort of "home." We know "home" and we know what to expect. Sure, it may be dull at times, but at least we aren't putting ourselves in danger. We can live vicariously through someone else's travel, whether it's in travel or entrepreneurial efforts.
- But it is when we have hit these road bumps that we must press on, even if we have no idea what lies ahead. Life's hazards, whether on Interstate 80 or on the road of life, are inevitable, but not insurmountable. In fact, hazards often offer a chance to stop and reassess our journey. They are a natural pause, and provide opportunities to learn something about our surroundings and/or ourselves that we may have breezed by if not for the hazard.
- If we stay focused on our destination, we can learn from and push through whatever hazard pops up. And if we accept the fact that we will face hazards, no matter how much we plan, those hazards are less likely to frustrate us and throw us off course. Life's hazards may cause delay in reaching our destination, but we will arrive at our destination that much wiser.
