Mind the Gap

Have you ever traveled to London to experience one of the world's greatest cities? As a tourist you probably went to the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park or rode the new millennium London Eye Ferris Wheel. You may have been there on business visiting Canary Wharf, Bishopsgate or the financial district.   Inevitably, you took the underground rail system known as the Tube.

My first trip to London was as a college student. I remember dining on fish and chips at a neighborhood pub.   "Fiddler on the Roof" was playing in the West End and the Tube whisked us around the city. As you exited the train, a recorded message said "Mind the gap." This was to alert passengers of the space between the train and the platform. Little did I know that 20 plus years later, that expression would take on a whole new meaning for me.

As we set goals both personally and professionally, we create an awareness around something we would like to change in our lives. There is a gap between the present state and the future goal. In other words, there is a difference between where we are now and where we'd like to be.

Upon identifying the gap, ask yourself what is needed to achieve your goal. Write down everything that occurs to you - both things to do and shifts in your thinking.   Some actions might feel like a big stretch - break these down into smaller baby steps. Review this list and arrange the points in a logical "to do" order.   Make a guestimate of how much time each will take. Choose a start date and stick to it! You've just created a basic action plan that will lead you to your goal.

So as you focus on what you want in your life, note the changes needed to create your new reality.   It is in minding the gap that you will achieve your goals.