Beautiful View Or Lost In The Fog?

I was driving along the freeway this morning, off to see a client.  It was quite cool this morning with bright sunshine starting to warm the day up.

At one point along my route, the freeway started to dip down into a steep valley, across a bridge, and up the other side.

As I approached the drop, there was bright sunshine on top, thick fog obscuring the bridge below, and bright sunshine on the other side of the valley where I could see the road climbing up out of the fog.  It was an absolutely beautiful sight that literally took my breath away.  I wasn’t worried that I couldn’t see the bridge and road down in the fog.  I know where the road was going and that it would lead me out of the fog when I got into it.

When I got down into the valley the thick fog obscured my view of the landscape around me, and ahead of me.  I couldn’t see much, but I could see enough of the road ahead to continue driving.  I wasn’t, for a moment, worried about where I was going – even though my view was limited by the thick fog.  I knew where the road I was on was leading me to where I wanted to go.  That meant I didn’t have to worry, and I could relax and focus on the road, knowing it would soon lead me out of the fog and up into the bright sunshine again.

At that moment I thought of how similar that experience was with running a small business.

Many times, you see “fog” coming up in your business.  And many times you find yourself stuck in the middle of the “fog” unable to see much in front, behind, or beside the spot you are in at that moment.

Often those times can make you feel anxious, scared, and nervous.

But if you have a clear road laid out, then it doesn’t matter if you find yourself inside a “fog” in your business.  Because you can still relax and focus on following the road that you have laid out for yourself – knowing that you will get where you want to just by continuing to follow the portion of the road you can see ahead.

If you haven’t laid out a clear road for yourself, however, getting into a “fog” can cause you to miss where you want to go, or even worse, cause you to have a wreck.

Do you have a road carefully planned for you and your business?

Have you taken the time to decide where you want to get to, and what route you will take?

If you have, fantastic.  Enjoy the beauty of the “fog” whenever you encounter it in your business.  Because you know you will soon be traveling out of it.  Even if you can’t see your destination – you know the road will lead you where you want.

And if you haven’t mapped out the road to get you where you want, STOP!

Plan your road now.  Then start driving.