“When possible, make a U-turn.” We’ve all heard it – that commanding voice coming from the navigation system, informing us that we’ve missed our turn. How do you navigate your path in life when you’re not sure which direction to go? The best advice is to always rely on your resources (like the nav. system), ask others for help if they’ve travelled a familiar route or simply plan ahead by bringing an old-fashioned map.
Navigating Change and Negotiating a Backup Plan
You may ask how I come up with my plans to navigate transitions. I typically have a short term plan, and frequently a plan “B”. Plan B does not let me off the hook for succeeding with my original approach, but it does put my mind at ease because I’ve already done the work to identify options and alternatives. Plan B helps me avoid feeling backed into a corner, powerless or stuck.
In addition to having a short term plan, I also need to fund that plan by tapping into my savings account or purposely setting aside money each paycheck. (It’s recommended to have six months’ worth of savings! https://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/21/can-you-afford-to-quit-your-job-heres-how-much-money-you-need-to-have-saved-up.html). Now, I haven’t always had as much savings as I’d want in order to feel relaxed or confident far into the future, but I’ve usually had a few months’ worth. Enough to make me feel safe psychologically and financially, while motivating me to focus on the future. And always, I have a strong dose of faith and knowledge knowing that I’ve navigated a lot of different challenges and most always they turned out better than I’d even imagined.
Childhood Story of Negotiation
Going back even before my high school days, I share a story from childhood. Now, our family was not well off enough to keep a horse, but because I lived in somewhat of a rural area, some of my friends had horses. I had always wanted to have one, too. I remember asking my mom if I could have a horse to take care of and ride with my friends. The reality of the situation was, we truly couldn’t afford one. Undeterred, I left and thought about it for a while and eventually went back with a new approach.
This time, I asked a different question. If I could afford to buy my own horse, could I have one then? Now, my parents knew that it wasn’t the initial cost of the horse per se, it was the monthly upkeep that was going to be the true expense. So, we negotiated further. In the end, we agreed that I would have to pay for shoeing and vet bills, and actually take care of the horse. They would cover boarding, which was at that time, incredibly affordable. With the conditions set, I think my parents figured I might change my mind, especially since I was not even old enough to legally hold a job.
Undeterred again, I set out to find a better (faster) way to earn money than babysitting one day a week. My friend and I learned that the owner of local Western store, an expert saddle maker, was looking for help bottling saddle soap. So, we got our courage up to ask, “Can we work for you?” He was a kind of gruff old guy, and we weren’t sure of his reaction. We were told to get our parent’s permission and then return to continue discussing the job. We did. And he decided to give us a chance.
The First of Many Business Decisions
His next question was the start of considering options and thinking long term about pros and cons. He asked whether we wanted to be paid by the hour or by the case. Now, that got us thinking. On the one hand, we knew what we would be guaranteed to earn by the hour. But, by our calculation, if we were fast, organized and good, we could earn quite a bit more by the case than hourly. How fast could we fill 12 bottles, put them in a box, seal the box, address and adhere a label with shipping information and get it ready for pick up? Fast. Decision made. And so, it was not too many months later that I had saved enough to buy my first horse.
Takeaways? Listen differently, be flexible, and have a back- up plan that allows forward progress; alternatives without excuses. While disappointments and sometimes failures are inevitable along the way to accomplishing our dreams, there is nothing stopping you from finding a different way. Remember, when you are moving forward, whether you are experiencing success or setbacks, it’s shaping your life and letting you grow into the person you were meant to be.
When navigating the path of life, don’t let yourself get bogged down with misdirection. Keep chasing your dreams, with no excuses, knowing that you will face changes that require a backup plan. If you are looking for guidance or support on your path forward, check out our resources at sarahboxx.com/resources or reach out to the Sarah Boxx Team via our website. You are in control of your future, but only if you seize the opportunities that come your way.
