Trajectory Depends On Where You Want To Go

Seth Godin just posted this diagram on his blog. http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/07/the-riskreward-confusion.html

Similar is the idea that I have written about around life trajectory. There are times in your life:
- Choosing to go to college
- Choosing a life partner
- Making money doing some work
- Turing 40

All of these passages and many more are times when we evaluate what we want in life and attempt to set the trajectory that will give us purpose, have something to look forward too and surround us with good relationships and work.

What if you find at any of these passages that you are not finding the fulfillment you projected or you realize that you have simply set a poor trajectory because you have new insight on who you are?

Fear (see blog from 7/1/09) can set in and then there is a risk we ignore the voice telling us our trajectory is off and we keep plowing forward without addressing a career choice, a unhealthy relationship or a change in our age.

Another option would be to step through your fear and break down your life trajectory to the point that will allow you to re-build inside your purpose. I am not suggesting you abandon all that you have built or reject all relationships you have built along the way. I am suggesting that you get serious about following your path of purpose and stop worrying about $$ in a job you do not like or regretting an eduction you do not have. Move and build your trajectory back to where you want to be! The only thing you might regret is the time your waste in waiting to move after you see your trajectory needs to be pointing a different way.

In 2000 I was an executive at a fast growth company pulling into a white two story colonial home with a pool, acre of property, 2 great kids and beautiful wife and wondered if this was all there is? All of these things were fine yet I felt there was more. Holding onto my wonderful family, together we jumped, left the home, pool, job and set off on an adventure that led us to start a company, my wife to get her MA in counseling and our kids to understand that stepping through fear and taking risk is a part of life and that it is important to set the right trajectory even if that means you need to step back to move forward.

Seth is right, risk vs reward is the axis, Trajectory is the plan and fear can stop you if you let it. Step on through to the other side.