Do y'all remember that part in the Titanic where they admitted that they had plenty of space to bring life boats for all on board, but didn't because it would seem cluttered AND they were SURE they wouldn't be needed? That part always bothered me as a child because it just didn't make sense. It wasn't until well into my adulthood that I realized that more often than not the same type of decisions are made on a daily basis, and by SO many people around me... and even by me!
Let's take when I decided to go to school to get my Bachelor's degree in Business Management. I didn't have a plan. I didn't have goals for AFTER I got the degree, I just knew I had to do SOMETHING because I didn't want to work hourly and pay check to pay check my entire life, such as previous generations to me. I found a program that said it would open many new possibilities and I ran with it.
I didn't take time to get to know the tools available to me, and to be honest I doubt I used 1/4 of what was offered during school or the career center after graduation. I muddled through each assignment, celebrating with a B or a C because it meant I was passing, when I really felt like I was sinking. I did it. Barely. And now, almost 10 years later... I have NOT ONCE held a position in my working life that required that degree, it just collects dust somewhere in storage, and came with a hefty price tag. Quite literally one of the BIGGEST mistakes of my life.
I jumped into that ship with no route mapped out, no supplies on board and damn sure no life boat in case the course was too rough of waters. I had NO idea what I was doing, and even though the man I was with at the time gave me warning he didn't think it was a good idea, however he did what he could to support and encourage me not to give up on my journey. I should have listened, I should have researched, I could have been so much farther ahead. But shoulda, coulda woulda.
THIS time I set my ship in the direction of a school driven journey, I prepared. I made sure to have extra hands on deck in case I need help, I mapped out not 1, not 2, but 3 different courses I could sail, just in case one course turns out to be a wrong direction. I gathered the supplies I'll need to make the entire journey and I hand built my own life raft, JUST IN CASE. Because if even the Titanic sank, I also have that risk in any journey I take.
Because I took the time to actually prepare for this journey, I've been able to stay ahead of my 1st class and take the time to really dig in when something isn't as easy as I'd hope and can really focus on not only the quality of my papers, but the amount of the material I'm able to fully understand. I'm not just muddling through or "getting by" this time. This time I'm attending with purpose. This time I will take something more than a little extra debt (In fact I actually also have a plan how to have the debt paid down before I'm even fully certified). This time I will put the degree to use.
And If I can give the Squad any sound advice at this point in my journey... Take time to really research every major life journey and make sure you are OVER prepared before taking that first step....
So ask yourself... what's next.. Which harbor do you want your personal ship to lay its anchor in... and what course do you need to take to get there. Take into consideration the duration of the journey and any obstacles that you might run into on the way (especially those energy pirates that are ALL over the oceans of life) and THEN start your engines and let your ship begin to sail.
Until Next Week.... ~Stay Humble, Stay Hydrated~
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