“Where are you right now?”
I realize how off track I was as soon as I hear C.C., my beloved, ask the question. We have invited friends for an impromptu dinner. They’ve been to the condo we’ve rented while renovating our new house before, but it can be tricky to find.
When my girlfriend called to ask, “So how do we find your place again?” I’d immediately leapt to giving directions without first clarifying, “Where are you right now?”
Definitely off track.
In life, no matter where we’re going, to get clear on our path, we need to know where we are starting from.
My directions only confused her until C.C. took over and made it simple. He asked the question and then confirmed, “You’re on the right track. Just keep driving along that road and you’ll see our place on the left, just past the community hall.”
Within minutes they were at our door and we spent a delightful evening sharing food, wine, laughter and watching the Ice Dance Competition at the Olympics.
And I wonder, how often do I do that? Forget to ask the questions before leaping into fix-it mode or jumping to conclusions.
Note to self. When someone’s lost or seeking direction, or when I’m searching for my way, seek clarity first. Understand the situation. Get clear on where I’m at or the direction they’re coming from. Don’t be too quick to jump to the rescue or leap to a conclusion. Or, as stated in Steven Covey’s Fifth Habit in The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, “Seek first to understand then to be understood.”
Words to live by.
Dare Boldly 
… or, as Yogi Bera said, “when you come to a fork in the road, take it!’
little know is that Yogi-ism was Yogi giving directions on the phone to someone coming to his place for dinner – seems he was at the top of the road, same distance no matter which fork you took
but of course his words have been taken to mean far more, and more deeply so, than he might have ever imagined
just as yours are
welcome back from your heady “I’m a grandma now” mode …
Cheers,
Mark
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Cool! I didn’t know that!
And thanks — I may never get over it, but it’s nice to be back on solid ground. 🙂
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Right on! I personally believe that Covey’s seven habits are what got me through my professional career, and volunteer work on boards. It was the best workshop I had taken. Too bad it is not mandatory for the millenials as they enter the workforce, for it could help them better focus on the bigger picture of life and not just on themselves. Note – there are a lot of good millenials. I aim my comment at the select few who have the smarts, the creativity and ability to think outside the box but fail to do so, for sense of entitlement clouds their vision.
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I hear you Iwona! I too thought his course was amazing and a foundational piece for me and my development. And I hear you on the millenials — I have a team of mostly millenials and they are all amazing, but there is a certain perspective that can cloud their vision. 🙂 ❤
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Excellent advice!!
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🙂
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This morning I have been all over the place, finding it difficult to focus
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That happens to me sometimes too Joanne. It’s in those moments I must stop, breathe and ask myself, “Where am I right now?” And then listen with my mind and heart wide open to the answers. ❤
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