“The problem is that I am coward”, I said.
“You are not a coward Katerina, you are indecisive”, my
professor replied. Back then, in 1994, I had no idea how right he was. I viewed myself as someone craven, unable to go after what they wanted.
Today I was reminded of that conversation during a mentoring
session. We were talking about goal setting and the analogy of a sailing boat
in the sea. If there is no clear destination, how can decisions on the route, the
sails, even the supplies needed be made? The right or wrong decision isn’t just a moral
thing. It’s also a matter of what is right or wrong with regard to our route, our
destination. What it makes sense to do, what the potential is and what is really important.
Back in 1994, I had no idea of who I was and what the
goals that mattered to me were. I think I am not alone in this. How many of us
grow up with an imposed idea of what we should be doing?
I went on with my life convinced I was gutless. You can imagine my surprise the first time the report of a strengths
assessment I had taken highlighted bravery as my top strength. I took the
assessment again and again to make sure. It didn’t make any sense.
Today it all makes sense. With a clear idea of who I am,
with the confidence that I can do anything I set myself to do – and there are
too many things, too many goals on my list – I have no difficulty whatsoever to
make any decision.
Let a boat be in the sea. It can float in any direction
depending on the currents, it can go towards any destination, depending on the
command, it can sink or it can travel eternally. It can also take us places.
Places we have always wanted to see and be in and sometimes we didn’t even know
it.
"Would
you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you
want to get to," said the Cat.
"I don't much care where –" said
Alice.
"Then it doesn't matter which way you
go," said the Cat.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis
Carroll, 1865
No comments:
Post a Comment