Knowing where you are

We’ve all seen mall maps before. Take a close look at this map and see if you can find what it doesn’t show. It shows the shops, the entrances, the rest rooms, the food court, even the bus stops. But the one important thing it doesn’t show is where you are right now; the big red X that says, “You are here!”

And that’s a critical bit of information when you think about it. Because unless you know where you are, there’s no way to know what path to take to get you where you need to go.

In baseball if you are in a hitting slump the coach will tell you go back to basics. Break your swing down to the absolute essentials. The same is true in life. When you swing at a curve and miss, it’s time to get back to the basics. In order to do that you’ll need to take a personal inventory to find out where you are.

When taking a personal inventory I believe there are at least four key things you need to take a close look at:

1. What have you learned? Everything in life is meant to be a learning experience. In fact, like I’ve said before, there are no failed experiences unless we fail to learn from them. So, make a list. What have you learned from your experience? What will you repeat? What will you never ever do again? Write these things down. If it ain’t written, it ain’t real.
2. What do you have in your hand? When God wanted to demonstrate His power to Moses, He asked, “Moses, what’s in your hand.” What skills and strengths do you currently possess? What can you bring to bear right now in your situation to help you get where you want to go? Write. Them. Down.
3. What do you need? Like Stephen Covey says, begin with the end in mind. Take a close look at your goal then take a close look at your #2. What are you going to need that you don’t currently have? But be careful here. Don’t assume. Do you really need that degree? Maybe? Maybe not. Do you really need to live in that city? Doubtful. Is the lack of that certification really a deal breaker? Really think through these carefully.
4. Who do you know? (or is it “whom?”) We don’t travel through this life alone. We live and work and worship in communities. God designed it like that. So, take a close look at your Christmas card list or your Facebook friends or your Linked In or Twitter followers. Is there someone there who has arrived where you want to go? Is there someone you know who knows someone you’d like to know or who can open some doors for you or make an introduction? This isn’t “taking advantage.” This is how it’s done.

Once you have made your inventory you’ll have the big red X.

With the X in mind, you’ll know where you are and you’ll have a much better idea of how to get where you need to go. But remember to write out your inventory. An inventory only in your mind is a just a day dream.