Jeff Gordon has a spotter. Do you?

Jeff Gordon has a spotter. Do you?



Every NASCAR driver who gets on a track of a Sunday has a spotter. You usually do not see them because they are perched high above the track on top of the luxury boxes or press boxes for a view of the whole track. What is a spotter? A spotter is a person who, through radio communication, gives information to the driver. He tells the driver when the green flag waves to begin the race. When the driver is in traffic, the spotter tells him if he is clear high or low. If there is a wreck up ahead, the spotter warns the driver and directs him how to avoid it. And spotters deliver very important information about the performance of the car. For instance, if one of the other drivers is running particularly fast lap times by running a slightly higher line on the track, a spotter could tell his own driver about it so he could also use that racing line. Basically, a spotter is another set of eyes for the driver and may see things that the driver is unable to see from his position in the car.

Why do you need a spotter? Think of your life as a race: at times you need to get going; other times you need to brake. You could probably avoid potential wrecks down life’s road if you had a spotter to help guide you around them. In business a spotter could be another set of eyes for you on a potential project. Or a spotter could give you the advice that allows you to run a different course from what you were, letting you go faster in accomplishing your goals.

A spotter could be a life coach, business consultant, mentor, any third-party person who does not have a major emotional attachment to you. Although having discussions with your spouse or significant other about things going on in your life and in your career is very healthy, I think that should be balanced with discussions with someone who can maintain that third-party objectivity. Find someone to bounce ideas off or with whom you are comfortable asking for advice—someone who does not work for the same company as you and who is not related to you. Remember you want a second set of eyes for your life—ones that give you an unbiased opinion and help steer you in the right direction.

Yesterday we wrote our goal in present tense, as if we had already accomplished it. Remember mine was “I AM sober.” Today I want you to contemplate all the things you are grateful for in your life that relates to your goal. In my case, two items on my list are, “I am grateful for AA meetings” and “I am grateful I do not feel the need to drink today.” Write out as many as you can, and then study them. Be thankful for all these things/people already in your favor.

Erik Elsea

www.erikelsea.com

Word of the Day!-Destiny-something to which a person or thing is destined
Let’s control our own destiny through our thoughts and our actions.

Quote of the Day!-“Be a victor-not a victim.”-Marshall Sylver