Going the extra mile? It helps to be on the right path. – SCN Encourager

This advice seems like a no-brainer.

But it’s not.

According to Peter Sage, an author, leadership coach, and TEDx speaker from England, many of us often seek friendship, love, and adventure by choosing the wrong path.

It’s not that the majority of paths are horrible.

It’s just that some are better than others.

Because every path is adorned with its own “surroundings and people,” we can jeopardize the progress toward our dreams if we aren’t observant and mindful.

Sage describes it this way.

Imagine you get up every morning and must walk more than a mile to get to work.

As you walk, you can’t help seeing what’s all around you.

Since you don’t live in Montana, there’s no shortage of colorful and tempting distractions.

And in whatever direction you lean, the influences will vary.

For example, Sage says if you choose to walk down a path lined with a farmer’s market, a quiet coffee shop, a library, a fitness center, and a church, you’ll be influenced much differently than if you choose to stroll down a path lined with a donut shop, a candy store, a sports bar, and the tabloid magazine stand.

Even to me, this cause-and-effect trail seems obvious.

Different choices will lead to different environments which will then lead to different circumstances and results.

Although I’m not going to quibble with this notion, I’m pretty sure I’d screw up it all up somehow.

If I traveled to work in the morning taking the route lined with the farmer’s market, library, and the church, I’m pretty I’d come home after work via the route lined with the sports bar, the candy story, and the donut shop.

I wouldn’t be able to help myself.

It’s the code of the knucklehead.

Since I made the wise and healthy choice earlier in the morning, I’d feel I owed it to myself to splurge and “live a little” later in the day.

If I traveled to work in the morning taking the route lined the sports bar, the candy story, and the donut shop, I’m 99% certain I’d come home after work via the route lined with the farmer’s market, library, and the church.

I still wouldn’t be able to help myself.

The code of the knucklehead swings both ways.

I’d feel so guilty about having taken the “guilty pleasures” route in the morning, I’d feel compelled to balance things out later in the day.

No doubt Sage would contend you’re supposed to choose the healthy and wise path and simply let its impactful environment perform its magic.

But I can’t.

I have to live by the code.

Which also includes wishing you a wonderful weekend!

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