The movie "Paint Your Wagon" may never be considered a "classic," but it will always be one of my favorites just for the title song. There is something hopeful and optimistic in it that always leaves me humming for a few days. I recently rented it to see why I have such fond memories. It's a musical comedy with Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood. Seeing Clint BDH (Before Dirty Harry) was worth the rental in itself. It's also a great example of how far lip synching has come. What I like most about the movie, however, is that it encourages creative solutions to difficult situations and reassessing choices when circumstances change. In the movie the two male characters have to make a choice as to what is best for them. Neither choice is necessarily bad  or good but both choices fit each character and helps them pursue what makes them happy.
Although I like the theme song "Paint Your Wagon" I was always puzzled about painting your wagon before you go on a long trip. The pragmatist in me would say, "It's just going to get dirty on the trip anyway. Why not paint your wagon when you get there?" I couldn't figure out why they would go to the trouble until I realized that before you take on something new it is necessary to put a coat of optimism on our attitude and maybe give our viewpoint a brush-up while we're at it. When you paint your wagon, you are maximizing your potential and forecasting your success. Besides, if you fail you'll get a better trade in on your wagon.
Life is a journey whether you travel great distances or stay in the same place you were born. We are all following dreams whether we are conscious of them or not. Most of us don't have a detailed plan of where we are headed; we tend to make it up as we go. That doesn't mean, however, that we don't have a dream or a plan. Most of us may not have a clear or formalized idea of what we want but we are very clear what we don't want. Unfortunately, what we really want may not be clear until we are up to our neck in the things we don't want.
So, how do you clarify your dream to achieve what you want? There is an old joke that asks "How do you catch a rabbit?" The answer is "Stand behind a tree and sound like a carrot." There is actually some truth to this. If you want to catch rabbits you have to attract them by hanging out where they are and providing something of value to them. The most important part and frequently the most difficult is deciding what you want to catch. Once you have made that choice and a commitment to succeed, actually catching them becomes easy. Try these steps to catching your pesky rabbit.A few things to help you catch "that pesky rabbit."
1. Determine the dream you want.
This sounds easy but usually isn't. Your dream encompasses many aspects of your life - family, job, relationships, health, community - and it requires thought. Dreams can be specific or general in nature. For example, your dream might be to get along better with your children. It is frequently helpful to discuss this with not only the other people in your life but also with others that can guide and encourage you through difficult spots.
2. Develop a written plan to mark your trail
A written plan is an outline that has general topic areas and specific subjects to consider. It is not an irrevocable contract. It is a commitment to have a plan and a reminder of the things you want.A plan serves as a bench mark and a reminder of your destination.
3. Action steps
"A trip of a thousand miles starts with the first step." Just as true now as it was thousands of years ago. Break your main goal into lots of small steps that head in the right direction. Your goals may go through many transitions on the road but it is important to start. Action steps are the small projects that clear the way for your bigger goals and give you the momentum and space needed to accomplish them. Start clearing the decks now!
4. Enlist some friends or families
Secret dreams tend to remain a secret. Let others know and ask for their support Start mutual support groups. Find out what others want and let them know what you need.
5. A guide can help you find your trail and stay on it
Having a guide doesn't mean that you couldn't have found the trail by yourself, eventually. It is merely letting someone who knows the way save you time and inconvenience. Whether this is a friend, mentor or coach the time you save can be spent doing more of what you want.
6.Record your progress.
Whether you write things in a journal or notes to yourself on your computer it helps to keep a record of your progress. It reinforces your goals and keeps you on track. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate or complicated just a life log.
7. The tools you need to succeed.
Make sure that you have the tools you need to succeed.That doesn't mean buying everything you want. Choose the important things that will most likely contribute to your success and build from there.
8. Frequent reviews to keep you on track
With any plan it is important to review it often to assess progress and to look for barriers that impede progress and areas that might be more beneficial.
Bon Voyage!
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