Don't
Overdrive Your Headlights
As
a die-hard New Yorker, I learned to drive after I moved west
as an elderly twenty-one-year-old. Night driving was a special
challenge and the instructor reminded me, "Don't drive past
your headlights."
Over the years, I came to understand what he meant. I learned
to look for reflectors, signs and lights, and to drive slowly
on country roads that lacked these amenities. I also learned
that I could drive much faster when I had driven a road many
times.
I
think about night driving when people ask, "How fast should
I go in a life transition?" Counselors, consultants and
coaches often say things like, "You need confidence! Move
forward!"
Your
confidence, like your car's headlights, will allow you to move
forward. You know where you are going and you can handle
what's ahead.
You
don't get confidence when someone says, "You're wonderful!"
You gain confidence the way you learn to drive country roads.
Go
slow until you learn the way.
If you feel nervous, you can develop your skills, find another
route, or even delay your trip so you can drive in daylight.
You might feel better if you have a map, so you won't be surprised
or wonder if you're lost when you see signs pointing to places
you've never heard of.
Sometimes
you have to tell yourself, "Look, I've done this before.
I've never had an accident. The roads are dry and the sky is
clear. Let's move!"
You
have to respect your own inner wisdom --
and sometimes your realistic concerns can be
misinterpreted as lack of confidence. You must go at your own
pace.
However,
you know you need to get to your destination, somehow. You can't
stay here forever. Once you're on the road, often your confidence
grows as you move. And next time you'll know the way.
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D. Author, Career Consultant, Speaker *Fast Track to Career Freedom* http://www.movinglady.com cathy@movinglady.com 505-534-4294 ALIGN=LEFT>
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Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D. Author, Career Consultant, Speaker *Fast Track to Career Freedom* http://www.movinglady.com cathy@movinglady.com 505-534-4294 ALIGN=LEFT>
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