The Courage Principle of Direction “You cannot change your destination overnight but you can change your direction overnight.”      Jim Rohn

Direction is the course along which a person moves. Without good direction, people lose their way.  The direction you are currently traveling in regards to relationships, career, finances, personal growth, etc... will determine where you end up in each of these respective areas.  We are all headed somewhere -  some unintentionally and others with a planned strategy.  Every decision we make contributes to determining  the direction we are going.  Even if we do not recognize it, we are choosing our future.  If we choose unwisely, we may end up in a place we never wanted to be.  However, direction can be changed and wise choices will always pay off in the end.

Direction is not dependent on our pasts, our families, how we were brought up or other circumstances in our lives.  Yet the way we respond to the people and situations surrounding us plays a big part in the direction we are headed.  As Jimmy Dean once said, “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”  We cannot control the people around us and are sometimes unable to change situations  but we can control how we react to them and the conversations and actions we initiate.  

Our direction is influenced by the things we think about.  Our perception of reality is based on how we filter things through our minds.  “Our thoughts create our reality-- where we put our focus is the direction we tend to go.” (Peter McWilliams)  This is why it is so important to have a thorough understanding of the values and principles that make life work.  They are the foundation for making the decisions that will lead us to success, fulfillment and a life free from guilt or regret.
It is also imperative that we do not underestimate the impact of who we spend time with and how we allow them to influence us.  We all need guidance in order to stay on the right path and reach our goals but we need to carefully choose to whom we will listen.  A wise mentor can add a lot of value to our lives.  They have experiences and perspective that can benefit us by helping us to make good decisions and to see the big picture more clearly.  A good mentor has our best interests at heart, sees what we can be and encourages our growth.  

So, how do we choose the right direction?  First of all, we need to base our decisions on values and principles.  Good intentions will not determine where we end up.  We need to do what we know is right.   If we are honest with ourselves, pay attention to our conscience and are influenced by those whose lives are also based on principles, we will avoid many problems and enjoy the future we have always wanted.

If you intentionally choose your direction wisely you will experience the following benefits:
• You will experience personal growth.  Personal growth brings new opportunity, better relationships  and the possibility of influencing others.
• You will gain confidence as you experience success from good decisions.  This positive momentum will encourage you to pursue bigger things.
• You will avoid feelings of guilt and regret that come from making bad decisions or realizing that you have wasted a lot of time.
• You will inspire others to follow you because they want the same results you are getting.

Some traits of people who choose their direction wisely are:
1. They are honest with themselves. 
2. They know and do what is right.  They do not look for ways to justify their behavior or participate in situational ethics.
3. They seek out wise counsel and enlist good mentors to give them advice and perspective. 
4. They do not allow the past to control their future.   They do not permit their upbringing or past experiences to determine the direction they will take.  They choose their direction based on where they want to be not where they have been.

• Be honest with yourself.   Regularly evaluate and compare your actions with the principles.  
• If you recognize you are headed in the wrong direction, change it.  Do not allow your pride,  stubbornness or even guilt to keep you on a path that is not headed where you want to be.
• Research, analyze, and internalize the truth that is found in the values and principles.  This involves a commitment to read and practice the principles everyday and to consistently participate in a Round Table.  This process will help you to maintain honesty and clarity in everything you do.
• When things seem to go wrong, keep doing what is right.  Do not give up!  Keep a big picture perspective and remind yourself that  doing the right thing brings good results.  Living by values and principles will improve your life.  Sometimes you have to persevere in order to see the benefits but you will see them eventually.
As the old saying goes “Life is not a destination, it is a journey.”  To arrive is not the only goal.  How we travel the path of life and sustain ourselves once we get there is equally important, if not more so.

1. What values and principles do you live by that have set your direction?
2. Have you ever sought out the advice of a mentor?  If so, what was the result?  If not, what has kept you from doing so?
3. Do you recognize an area of your life where you need to change direction in order to end up where you would like to be?  If so, what could you do to bring the result you desire?

Evaluate yourself from 1 to 10	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Why did you give yourself this rating?
What benefits will you obtain by raising your rating?
What specific action can you put into practice to test the benefits of this principle?