Set Your Destination Before You Start

In late August 2014, I left home at my normal time and drove to work. I pulled into the H-E-B headquarters parking lot in downtown San Antonio and approached the guard gate.

Then it hit me: I didn’t work for H-E-B anymore. I hadn’t for eight months.

I quickly backed away from the gate and rerouted before creating an even more embarrassing traffic jam.

I had left H-E-B and started working for Whataburger in January 2014. For eight straight months, I had made the new commute without a problem. But on this particular morning, I switched on autopilot, and the last five miles took me in the wrong direction.

It’s funny now. It also makes me wonder how often I do the same thing in other parts of life.

How often do I go through the motions, follow a familiar routine, or stay busy without stopping to ask whether I’m heading where I really want to go?

A general direction isn’t the same as a clear destination. And activity, even a great deal of activity, isn’t always progress.

Being intentional means taking time to decide what matters, where we want to go, and whether today’s choices are moving us there.

Where are you running on autopilot? What destination deserves a clearer place in your mind before you take the next step?

Your coach’s insight…simply put.

— Rory