#12- 4 Ways to Find Direction

Most of us have watched the guy or gal throwing the dart over their shoulder at a map.  In fact, some of us have done that ourselves.  The options were just too many or not enough, so we decided to leave our fates to chance.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

Spontaneity is not a bad thing.  We make instant decisions everyday.  We don’t have to think about what toothbrush to use or what car we’ll drive to work- unless we’re Jay Leno or Billy Joel.

In the meantime, here are 4 guidelines that will help you make more informed choices.

1. Core values and beliefs: Cast these away when making an important decision and you're in big trouble!  You’ll be hounded by a fiend called regret.  Many people can trace unhappiness back to decisions that were made years ago when they forgot about their values and beliefs “just once!”.

2. Patterns:  That’s right.  What types of things have you thought about on a regular basis over the years?  What are your dreams?  Maybe, just maybe that crazy dream you’ve had is God inspired.  That’s right.  He made you and He is capable of directing your life and inspiring you.  Maybe it’s time to re-examine that dream that you put aside years ago because all of your friends said you were crazy.

3. Habits: Similar to patterns but different.  This has more to do with your wiring.  Nobody knows you like you know yourself.  For example, why apply for a job that requires getting up at 4 a.m if you know that you HATE getting up.  Don’t deceive yourself with the idea that the money will outweigh the discomfort.  Ignore your habits or wiring and you may be in for some trouble.

4. Friends and family:  O.k, there are a couple of groups who have unique insights into your life other than yourself.  Why?  Because they’ve lived with you or known you for a long time.  Sometimes one of the best things you can do is ask someone’s opinion who is close to you.  Better yet ask a number of people who know you well.

It all boils down to character.  All characters are a bundle of strengths and weaknesses.  

The bible says: “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”  Proverbs 20: 7.  Remember the well- written novel you read or the movie you watched.  After awhile you got so you could predict what any given character was going to do.  Why?  Because our characteristics are the seed bed for our behaviors.  

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this topic.