Go with the Flow by Jim Stovall

Success in both our personal and professional lives comes when we choose the right path. None of us has a crystal ball, so it’s impossible to know what the future holds. However, there are some clues regarding which path we should be on. When you look at your career or professional choices, you should lean toward those opportunities that best match your talents and preferences. Ideally, you should spend your working days performing tasks that are enjoyable and meaningful to you. Generally, these tasks will be made up of things that you find easy and fun. Think of all the things that seem natural or easy for you that other people find difficult and cumbersome. Additionally, you should pursue a profession that brings you fulfillment. I remember, as a professional speaker, the first time I walked onto a stage for a paid speaking engagement. It was like putting my foot into my shoe. It just fit and felt very natural. Public speaking is among the greatest fears of most people, so the fact that I find it easy and enjoyable indicates that I should be spending at least a portion of my professional life as a speaker. Once you have selected a path to pursue, it’s critical that you surround yourself with the right people, both in your career and in your personal life. We have all experienced being around people who make everything fun and exciting. These people make deposits into our emotional bank account. We feel enlightened, fulfilled, and energized when we’re around these key people—either personally or professionally. On the other hand, there are people with whom we do not connect. They seem to drain our time and energy and make withdrawals from our emotional bank account. I’ve had the experience of traveling to fabulous destinations with people whom I did not connect with well. The trip and the experience were greatly diminished due to personal factors. I’ve also had the experience of performing mundane tasks in ordinary places with treasured friends and colleagues. Being with the right people turns these hours and days into wonderful experiences. Life is too short to do things you don’t value with people you don’t enjoy. Spending time doing the things you want to do while being around the people you want to be with makes your work-life seem like a vacation and makes your personal life fulfilling. As you go through your day today, focus on the right career and the right people. Today’s the day! Jim Stovall is the president of Narrative Television Network as well as a published author of many books including The Ultimate Gift. He is also a columnist and motivational speaker. He may be reached at 5840 South Memorial Drive, Suite 312, Tulsa, OK 74145-9082; by email at Jim@JimStovall.com; on Twitter at www.twitter.com/stovallauthor; or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jimstovallauthor.