Put a Stake in the Ground
“In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” –Dwight D. Eisenhower
I’ve decided to move from Washington, DC, where I’ve spent the past 4.5 years, back to Fort Lauderdale, FL, where I grew up. The move was motivated by the sufficient alignment of various life events, but it was kicked off by one very crucial decision — setting the moving date.
We face decisions every day. Most are insignificant, like what to wear or where to eat, but some can have a major impact on your life. The foremost important factors in any decision are when and where; how comes later. My decision to move back to FL was driven by the expiration of my apartment lease so I had the when, and the where was finally determined by a thorough evaluation of the best place to achieve my 5 year goals.
By placing a stake in the ground we were able to start looking around for the best value in everything that goes into a move, including comparison of movers/DIY and storage. Further, I could point to a date-certain for my FL network to arrange any meetings when I arrive.
Major decisions need major stakes, but consider taking the initiative in even the simplest decisions among friends. Deciding on a restaurant is a perfect example. Set your stake on a date and time and then offer two options. Now, half of the problem is solved and you’ve had a chance to exercise your leadership muscles.
