| We have two options in life. We can be three | | | | can accomplish an itty-bitty goal or a huge dream. |
| sheets to the wind or sailing to success. Let's look | | | | Have a goal or a vision you can be passionate |
| at the first option. The saying three sheets to the | | | | about, something that will get you up in the |
| wind has its origins in eighteenth century British | | | | morning. Each of us has a powerful wellspring |
| naval terminology. Sheets are ropes that control | | | | within us just waiting to be tapped. You do not |
| sails. The amount of sail, the angle of the sails to | | | | want to die with this life source still bottled inside |
| the wind, and the position of the rudder controlled | | | | you. Jimmy Pattison, a Vancouver-based billionaire |
| three-masted sailing vessels of the day. When a | | | | and entrepreneur who started out washing cars, |
| sheet is in the wind, the sailors have lost control | | | | said, "Those who dream big dreams also have the |
| of that sail. It lashes around in the wind, and the | | | | capability to achieve those dreams." |
| sailors lose control of their ship. Three sheets to | | | | You can call it a mission, a dream, a goal, a vision |
| the wind came to mean that a person has lost | | | | or anything else you want as long as you have |
| control of their faculties, presumably because | | | | one. Write down your vision and the date you |
| they are inebriated. | | | | want to accomplish it by. Leave your written |
| Today most people are three sheets to the wind | | | | mission statement somewhere that you will see it |
| and don't even know it. This is not to say that | | | | everyday--on your bathroom mirror, computer |
| they are drunkards, but that they do not have a | | | | screen, or dashboard, for example. |
| clearly defined vision of where they are going. | | | | The second step is to chart a course. This means |
| They are caught up in the day-to-day at the | | | | making a high-level plan and strategy designed to |
| expense of their big dreams and then wonder | | | | take you where you want to go. You do this by |
| why they are not going where they want to. | | | | breaking your big dream into smaller steps that |
| They have no ultimate goal or destination, so | | | | are manageable and achievable. Decide who the |
| they are pulled and pushed by the vicissitudes of | | | | people and organizations are that have the |
| the life and tides of public opinion. | | | | knowledge you need for success, and set a plan |
| Option two is sailing to success. There are three | | | | in place to meet those people and join those |
| key steps to sailing to success: | | | | organizations, with a goal to acquiring that |
| 1. Choose a destination. | | | | understanding. Just as a sailor charts a course |
| 2. Chart a course. | | | | around obstacles, so should you anticipate obvious |
| 3. Weigh anchor and set sail. | | | | encumbrances and create strategies to overcome |
| The first step is to choose a destination. Literally | | | | them. |
| choose a destiny. Everyone is here for a purpose | | | | The third step is to weigh anchor and take action. |
| and finding your purpose, if you haven't already | | | | Many people wait to be motivated before they |
| done so, should be your highest priority. Think of | | | | take action--but it's the other way around. Take |
| a sailing trip: sailors have a destination before they | | | | action and motivation will follow. Every day, take |
| set out. They might be going to Hawaii or | | | | one specific action that will bring you closer to |
| Madagascar or points in between, but they know | | | | your dreams. Look for the ways that day-to-day |
| where they are going and have charted a course. | | | | life, everything you do and think, can help realize |
| You must have a destination. | | | | your goals. Keep the vision of your dream |
| When choosing your life destination, you might as | | | | emblazoned on the canvas of your mind, weigh |
| well dream big dreams; in two to three years you | | | | anchor and set sail to your destiny of greatness. |