Lesson Forty-One: The Certainty of Your Path

I grew up on a hill overlooking Indian Arm, in the overgrown corner of North Vancouver. When I was a boy, there was only a single gravel road leading to Deep Cove. It’s far different now. But then, the few stores that made up the village were a half-hour walk from my house.

I knew a short-cut, a trail through the forest which emerged just steps from my house. And since most of my friends lived near town, I walked it thousands of time.

It got so I could run that stretch of trail, at full speed, navigating the twisting path and slippery roots in the half-dark of twilight. I never tripped because I knew where to duck, where to jump, and where the path took an unexpected turn. I could anticipate the dangers. And I knew where the path was taking me.

There’s a lesson.

In my business life, when I’m certain of my path—the actions I need to take to reach my goals—I find I’m able to move very quickly. It’s hard to catch up to me. Then I realized:

The certainty of your path determines the swiftness with which you travel.

Ever wondered why some people are able to move through treacherous terrain without slowing down? How they navigate the twists and obstacles, and still are able to achieve their goals, while others struggle and fail?

How can a blind man climb a mountain? How does an entrepreneur begin with nothing and end up with millions? Why do some businesses grow to be wildly successful?

The answer is certainty. These people are able to define their goals in concrete terms, and then plot the many small steps it will take to reach those goals. So once they have begun, those small steps become swift strides as they move rapidly from goal to goal.

How many times have you stopped in your tracks, unsure of your next step?

Try looking farther down the path and the answer may become clear.