August 22, 2008

“There are lots of miles under my belt but I haven’t really been anywhere.”

Not long ago, I had a conversation with a friend about all the time he was spending on the road.  Having spent way too much time on an airplane myself, I was a bit surprised at his answer when I asked where he was going on his trips and what he was doing when he arrived at his destination.  His answer, “There are lots of miles under my belt but I haven’t really been anywhere.”

The more I thought about his statement, the more my reaction shifted from surprise to a bit of melancholy.  How can you travel without going anywhere?  Once you arrive, how can you not enjoy the destination and make the most of your trip?  I thought of some of the not-so-exotic places to which I have traveled on business over the years:  Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Blythewood, South Carolina; Gary, Indiana; Jackson, Mississippi; Egan, Minnesota; Socorro, New Mexico; and so on.  While none of these places are found on the covers of vacation destination magazines, they are full of wonderful people.  Each location carries its own unique history and appeal.  They were fun to visit.

Corollaries to my friend’s sad comment about travel could be:

·         “I attend lots of meetings but never get anything accomplished.”

·         “I make lots of sales calls but never close any business.”

·         “I submit lots of proposals but never win any of them.”

·         “I know lots of people but don’t really have any friends.”

We should never find ourselves just going through the motions of travel or meetings or proposals or anything else.  By doing do, we miss so much and realize so little. 

Real purpose creates our experience.  Purpose with accomplishment sweetens it.