The Tribune

Every archer recognises the need to identify the target long before sending forth his arrow. No airplane leaves the runway without having a flight plan of its destination. Having an aim is the most potent ingredient in any life empowerment strategy. Do you know what you are aiming for?

Everything that you do or fail to do depends on what you are aiming for. Without an aim your life becomes like piece driftwood on the open seas.

Philosophical author James Allen said: “Aimlessness is a vice, and such drifting must not continue for him who would steer clear of catastrophe and destruction.”

There is no question that life, if it is to be lived fully, must be directed with a bold sense of purpose. At the same time, even if you don’t choose were you want to go, you will end up somewhere. “Ending up” somewhere they didn’t intend to is where many folks find themselves.

Living an empowered life requires that you have an aim. Nobody just ends up being empowered. Empowerment is the result of deliberate intention. It comes from taking specific action one step at a time.

Life is movement. Everything moves, and your life literally moves when you move. It follows the rhythm and flow of your attention.

If you choose to give your attention to destructive thoughts and habits, for example the excessive use of alcohol, then you will find ways to bring more alcohol into your experience.

Your life becomes a reflection of all that you give your attention. You see, you are the archer in your own life. This means you set the target, you take the aim and you release the arrows of your attention.

Recognise this – you will live the result of whatever your arrows hit, whether you really want it or not. For this reason, you must pay attention to what you are aiming for and aim for those things that empowers your life.

Sadly, many live a life of aimlessness, drifting from one bad experience to the next. You can bet your bottom dollar that drifting is not the mark of living empowered. Empowerment is about confidence within. This means you are moving with a strong sense of self and a clear understanding of what you want for your life.

Work on knowing who you really are. When you better know who you are you can better determine what you really want.

As you move through life, you have a choice – drift aimlessly or drive confidently.

When I’m driving on major interstates like the I-95 in the US, I know I have to drive with confidence. With so many lanes and hundreds of vehicles moving at crazy speeds, this is no place to drift aimlessly. In fact, doing so could be fatal. Similar to the I-95 your life requires the same kind of intention.

Drifting leads to doubt. Doubt leads to distrust. Distrust leads to fear. Fear leads to aimlessness. To aim is to aspire, to set your mark and to move with intention. If you aim at nothing you will hit it with amazing accuracy.

Leader to leader, you are the chief archer in your life. Clarify what you are aiming and set a plan for getting what you want for your life. By setting a higher aim you move with more confidence and intention. These are healthy habits for living an empowered life. Yes, you can do it!

What do you think?

Please send your comments to coaching242@yahoo.com or call 429-6770.

• Michelle M Miller is a certified life coach, communication and leadership expert. Visit www.michellemmiller.com; mail can be sent to PO Box CB-13060.