Life Lessons—It’s a Journey, Not a Destination

by Reba J. Hoffman, Ph.D.

I see it in every activity in life. Great people are so focused on getting where they want to be, they forget to enjoy the journey. I call this destination syndrome.

It’s really a vision problem. Just like being nearsighted or color blind. Their focus is just off.

I rode in a cycling event once that took me right by the Space Shuttle launch pad, the largest known eagle’s nest in North America, and the alligator marshes.

At the end of the ride, a woman remarked about how exciting it was to see the space shuttle. A man in her group dully asked, “What space shuttle? All I saw was the shorts of the rider in front of me for the whole ride.”

He was laser-focused on getting to the end of the ride, the only view he got was spandex! Not a pretty sight.

No matter where you are right now in your writing career, I promise that you will never be there again. Things change. You do, too. You really need to enjoy the view. Soak up all that is around you right now, while it’s happening.

If you listened to music in the 70’s, you’ll remember the song by Seals and Croft, We May Never Pass This Way Again. I’ve lived long enough to tell you that you absolutely will NEVER be right where you are at this moment.

So, relax and take a deep breath. Look up and take in your surroundings. As a writer, it will include phases of becoming a writer, as well as the phases of getting contracts, editing, book launches, etc.

Have fun with it. Laugh. Invite your friends on the journey. There’s plenty of room on your writing road for others to walk with you.

Whatever you do, don’t get so focused on getting there—for most, there is being published—that you forget to take in the view.

As I’m writing this—laser focused—I’m headed west as the sun drops behind the hills to the west. I looked up just in time to see wind powered mills strewn throughout the countryside. And, two jets streaked across the sky like falling stars.

It would have truly been my loss to have missed it. Glad I looked up. You should, too. Take a look around your ever-changing world and take time to enjoy it. Right now. Yes, I mean this minute!

Have you ever been so focused on a destination that you completely ignored the journey? I want to hear about it. Share it here.

Reba J. Hoffman is the founder and president of Magellan Life Coaching (www.magellanlifecoaching.com). She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Counseling and is a natural encourager. She serves as Member Care Coach for My Book Therapy and is the author of Dare to Dream, A Writer’s Journal. You can connect with Reba through her motivational blog, Finding True North, or by email at reba@magellanlifecoaching.com. You can also follow her on Twitter at @MagellanCoach.