THE BULLSEYES WE CREATE

Ready... Aim... Fire...  

Ready... Fire... Aim... 

Ready... Aim... Aim... Aim... 

Which is worse... To shoot at a target that is not completely defined? To shoot at a definite target to which we are not properly aimed? Or to take eternal aim without every loosing the arrow? I guess it depends. If we are being literal, we should never pull the trigger, loose the arrow, throw the dart, etc., if we are not completely sure of and aimed toward the target (unless you are Dick Chaney - I had to). But we are being metaphorical. So although the best case is, ready... aim... fire; I submit the worst is, ready... aim... aim... aim. 

As a public speaker most of my adult life, I know that every analogy breaks down at points. This analogy of a target will too I'm sure. But for clarity, let's say that...

• Vision is painting and setting the target.

• Aiming is orienting yourself (correctly) to the target.

• Strategy is the action plan for covering the distance from you to the target. 

I am a good aimer. One of the best. I know it's true and it cannot be disputed. Know why? Because there is no proof in aiming. There is no result. Aim all day. Win awards and accolades for aiming. Know what you have? Nothing! Aiming is important; but aim is truly only valuable if it precedes action.

When I began my Fit50! quest, it was not completely defined. Actually, only the outer ring of the target was penciled in... and I fired! The inner rings and paint remained - in many ways, still remain - to be applied. What I am discovering is that often action brings definition to the target. The penciled in portion of the target for me was fitness. I determined that I was going to be fitter in my 50th year than previously in my life. Without clear definition in the beginning, and without great aim, I'm on target! The target and strategies have become more clear in the midst of taking action.

As I have alluded in previous posts, other target rings are being painted and I've determined not to be paralyzed by perpetually aiming. The goal of this post is to challenge and encourage you to the same. At the risk of mixing a previous analogy, we must decide to become moving ships. Remember, the rudder can't steer when the ship is still in the water, unmoving, stagnant. To again quote Teddy Roosevelt: "In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."

Pull the trigger... let it fly... loose the arrow...!

For now...
D