Lessons from a Western Kentucky Drive Pt. 1

As I drove home today from my husband’s bike race, my mind wandered as I looked around at all the beauty surrounding me. At first, I thought, “Gosh, he’s snoring loudly”, but then I refocused and decided to see the scenery. Looking around, I wondered what I should write about in my next blog. I drove several more miles and noticed a sign that meant “No U-Turns”. Driving closer to the sign, it hit me!  In life and business, there are times when we cannot take a U-turn. We are locked into our path and must continue whatever it takes. I decided at that point to keep looking for these little lessons. If I gathered enough, I decided to share these with my audience. So, here goes.

First, we will look at the concept of “Don’t fear where the road may take you.” Then, we will explore how “Speed limits are there for your safety, not just to constrain you.” Next, we will see how “Refreshment can be found in random places.” Next time, we will discuss how “Falling rock can block your path, but usually not for long.” Then, we will examine why “Sometimes you must exit and take a break.” And finally, we will inspect why this concept is important, “Don’t be afraid to stand alone when necessary.” So, it is time to take the road ahead and we will begin by jumping into “Don’t fear where the road may take you.”

Lesson #1: Don’t fear where the road may take you.

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We all know how it goes. We take one path. Before we know it, we aren’t sure where we are headed. Even when the road is broad, we may not always know where it will lead. Without signs, we would surely be lost. The same is true of business. We do not have a magical crystal ball to tell us what will happen. Like, “Should I have decided to change that product, that price, or that way of doing things?” We second guess ourselves and sometimes block our own path. Instead, we must rely on our instincts, prayer, and knowledge to understand the correct path we should take.

The question we must ask is why do we sabotage ourselves and our own efforts by questioning ourselves so? Is it insecurity, is it doubt, or is it just plain fear? Sometimes, in life and in business, we can take a U-turn, but other times, that is not an option. When we announce our plans to the world on our website or our social media, we can’t often turn back from that without some degree of embarrassment or shame at not completing what we started. All we can do at that point is continue the path we started down and take it to its end and have faith that things will work out as they should. So don’t fear where the road may take you, just follow the speed limit along the way.

Lesson #2: Speed limits are there for your safety, not just to constrain you.

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I don’t know about you, but when I am driving down the open road it can be hard to stick to the speed limit. There’s something about driving fast, with the wind in your hair that can be irresistible. That is why I have always loved to have vehicles with a sunroof. But when I saw my husband take a picture of this sign, I had a realization. No one likes speed limits, but everyone is safer because of them.

Now, I know you are wondering what the speed limit has to do with business. Here’s the thing. In business, you find yourself going at a breakneck pace and trying to finish everything as fast as you can. That can get to the point it is unhealthy. Sometimes, it takes unplugging to realize how you needed a break from the overstimulated mindset that pace leads to. You find that your mind is racing all the time and there are times it becomes difficult to shut off. That is why the speed limit is important. If you don’t pace yourself, you can easily burn out.

So, the speed limit is there for your safety, not to constrain you. But we not only have to watch our speed when we are on a trip, we also must watch for refreshments.

Lesson 3: Refreshment can be found in random places.

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You may be wondering what I am thinking by showing a water tower as a source of refreshment. And again, what does that have to do with business? Let me explain. There are places where the water supply is scarce for a town, so they store their water in the water tower. This tower supplies water for the town and is a source of refreshment for many people. Usually, you will find the water tower for a town in an out of the way place. Hence, finding refreshment in a random place. But I know you are still asking, what does it have to do with business?

Sometimes, life in business can go through drought periods where you wonder, “Will I get another sale?” or “Am I good enough to do this?” It is times like these that the analogy of the water tower comes into play. Reach out to previous clients and see if they need anything, take this time to make sure your website or software is all up to date. Make sure your social media game is strong. Whatever you do, find joy in it. Without that refreshing aspect, you can find yourself digging deeper and deeper into a mess and sabotaging your business without even trying.

Next time in Bluedobie Dialogues, we will finish this discussion by explaining how falling rock can block your path, but usually not for long. We will also explain how sometimes you must exit and take a break. And finally, we will explore why it is important to not be afraid to stand alone when necessary. Maybe the next time you are on a road trip, you will take the time to look around and have an epiphany.

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