The Danger of Drifting

Kitty Boitnott, PhD, NBCT, RScP

Career Transition & Job Search Coach (Your Career "Makeover" Coach)

Last week, I recommended the book, Living Forward:  A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want, by Michael Hyatt & Daniel Harkavy.

I heard from some of you that you had already purchased the book. I have heard from some others of you that you are glad I offered the recommendation. It has been helpful to them.

I am mindful of the section in Chapter 1, entitled "The Consequences of Drifting."

As I read this segment of the book, I was reminded of the Lewis Carroll quote that Dr. Phil McGraw is so fond of quoting:  "If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there." This quote sums up what, for me, are the dangers, or the "consequences," of drifting.

In case you haven't had a chance to pick up the book or you have been too busy to read it even if you have it on your bedside table, here, in a nutshell is what the authors offer as the consequences of drifting along:

     1. Confusion. You need to avoid the disorientation that goes with not having a plan.

     2. Expense. Not having a clear destination or goal in mind can lead to expensive decisions that need to be undone later because they have taken you off course.

     3. Lost opportunity. Without a destination in mind, it is tough to separate "opportunities from...distractions." 

     4. Pain. Failing to plan can cause an assortment of pain...pain related to health, pain related to career, even pain related to relationships. Too many people think they are somehow hapless victims of circumstance and they "drift" from one circumstance to another hoping that everything will turn out okay. The authors are saying that planning appropriately and deliberately sticking to your plan to the extent that you can, can help you avoid some unnecessary and unneeded pain.

     5. Regrets. One of the saddest circumstances of life is falling into the "If only" mindset. If only you had taken better care of yourself, you wouldn't be suffering from the pain of ill health now. If only you had spent more time in activities that would have made you a "better" person. If you only had spent more time with your children...perhaps you would be having more time with your adult children and your grandchildren. If only you had managed your money better, you wouldn't be struggling in your retirement. These "if only" statements are a waste of time. Do not regret what you cannot change. But DO take charge of that which is under your control now. It is rarely too late to make significant changes in your life...unless you are already on your death bed, that is. I am going to guess, however, that if you have found the time to read this message, you also have the time and resources you need to make some decisions regarding most if not all of these circumstances in your life. Research shows that it is never too late to start taking better care of your body. It is likewise, never too late to take charge of your learning. 

So, don't fall into the comfortable "habit" of letting yourself drift. 

If you haven't picked up the book, Living Forward, yet, it isn't too late to buy it. If you haven't started reading it yet...I highly recommend that you start it today.

Until next time.

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