Tonight as I waited for the “walk” sign to cross the busy 6-lane street near my home here in Los Angeles, I chuckled as I remembered my recent trip to Egypt. Have you ever played the classic Atari game Frogger?
Crossing the street in Cairo (even when not wearing high-heels and balancing a package on your head) can be a challenge. For the less adventurous, it may even be impossible. There are no crosswalks, no traffic lights, and a never ending stream of moving objects in between you and your destination.
- Be Confident; Be Brave.
Courage is obviously vitally important. You have to believe in yourself and your destination has to be important enough to warrant the risk you’re about to take. - Don’t Hesitate to Take the First Step.
If you hesitate to take your first step, you’ll miss a narrow window of opportunity. The more times you hesitate, the harder it becomes to take that first step and eventually you may find yourself paralyzed by fear. - Focus on your Goal and on the Present.
What would happen if you just bolted straight toward your goal without taking into account your current surroundings? Yeah, disaster! Though you’re always aware of your final destination, your life literally depends on your staying focused on the present moment. - Plan your Route One Step at a Time.
Though the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, as unpredictable as human behavior is, there is no possible way to calculate your exact route in advance. You’ll have to rely on your intuition and level-headed decision making to arrive safely. - Keep Moving!
Newton’s first law of physics tells us that a body in motion tends to stay in motion. If you can’t go forward, go sideways. The angle of your approach may change but as long as you just keep moving you will always reach your destination.
Eventually, I figured out how to get around Cairo on my own. That’s not to say the first time I crossed the street it was a piece of cake, it absolutely wasn’t. To learn, I actually had to begin by crossing with a local guide — or rather, a human shield! But the more times I did cross, the easier and easier it became.
With the help of your own guide, or mentor, and the steps above, even the biggest most difficult ’streets’ of life will become manageable. Now all you have to do is choose your destination.
(Photo Credit: FreeFoto.com)
