Each spring and summer, I observe the deer on my property up north, watch them as they grow and change and begin to determine which buck is going to be my target. Once I choose him, I learn every thing about him: his usual paths, where he sleeps, which doe he prefers: all in an effort to find him in my sights on that first day of bow season, so I can take my shot at my target.
I talk to people all the time about hunting and business and life and cannot stress enough the importance of figuring out WHAT YOU WANT. I was talking to a woman who has been in an off-an-on relationship for years and when I asked her “but what do you want from him?” she replied, “I don’t know.” I told her that is the problem. Without a desired outcome, you will never hit your target.
You have to weigh the variables, the weather, the personalities, the good and bad and then get in the hunt. And hunting is dirty, miserable, exciting, exhilarating business. It is LIFE in a micro situation. Sometimes you have to sit in a tree, in the rain, for hours, and wait and think and make tough calls: do I cut and run? Do I wait and hope? You have to make the best decision based on the information you have and go with your gut.
I’m not saying “I don’t know” isn’t a great place to start. But it is not a great place to stay. Start moving the pieces around and testing the wind. The best way to start your hunt is with YOU.
- Get curious with yourself first before you start factoring in others.
- Observe yourself from an above and clear position.
- Replay the movie of your day in your head and consider how you felt in various moments. Not how you felt in your head, how you felt in your heart.
- Now move those observations and feelings into a conscious goal. For example: I felt stressed when I pitched this idea, so I need to alter the idea so I feel confident when I pitch, therefore I can close the deal. Your goal is to match your actions, your thoughts and your emotions with your desired outcome.
I’m writing this in a tree stand, in the rain, waiting for that buck to come my way. I’ve weighed the information and the odds are good. Nonetheless, I know for now, I am content, happy, to be in this moment, in this tree, waiting to find out.
