At some point or perhaps multiple times in your life and career, you have probably asked yourself the question that is hardly unique to you or your situation. The answer may be one of disbelief, poignant, satisfying or elation.
The timing of when you ask the question of yourself, “how did I get here?,” can offer a pause for reflection and self-assessment.
My present situation is hardly one that I would have ever imagined 25 years ago, let alone 5 years ago. So much can change over time, sometimes in an instant.
Controlling one’s destiny is a noble goal as it speaks to accountability to self. Unfortunately, there are competing external forces that can undermine even the most thoughtfully laid out plans. I can list countless examples of situations people never imagined they would be in, and you likely have your own, but that isn’t the point.
How we manage things can be related to how much control we have of what we are presented with. The less control one has, the more frustration and helplessness is likely to ensue. Maintaining control does not imply being a “control freak,” but it is a philosophy that requires work and adjusting expectations along the way. So much is out of our control, which makes regular re-assessment critical to not being blindsided by the unanticipated or unpleasant, even though that is not always achievable. Regular self-reassessment can provide a “speed bump” that may prevent the overwhelming, “spinning out of control” tide of emotions which are common symptoms among those living a frenetically paced world.
I listen to clients’ goals and help them balance the need for maintaining control and allowing their destiny to unfold.
