"Find out where you are at, where you are going, and build a plan to get there."

This quote is about understanding your current situation, figuring out your goal, and making a strategy to achieve that goal. Imagine you’re setting out on a road trip. Before you start, you need to know where you are on the map. Then, you decide on your destination. Finally, you plan the route, considering the best roads to take, any stops you might make, and the fuel you'll need. It’s like that with life goals too.

Historically, this kind of advice has been around for ages. It's the kind of thing you might hear from a mentor who’s been through the ups and downs of life or in a motivational speech aimed at helping people take control of their lives. Think about the classic self-help books. They always stress the importance of self-awareness (knowing where you are), vision (knowing where you want to go), and planning (figuring out how to get there).

Let’s take a real-life example. Consider John, a recent college graduate. John feels stuck in a job he doesn’t love. He’s always dreamed of starting his own business. So, he takes a step back and assesses his current situation. He identifies his skills, his financial situation, his network. That’s him figuring out where he is. Next, John defines his goal clearly: he wants to open a small café in his neighborhood within the next two years. That’s where he wants to go. Then, he builds a plan. He saves money, takes a few business courses, consults with café owners, and starts small by selling his own baked goods at local markets. Every step is part of his plan to reach his destination.

So, how do you apply this wisdom? Start by doing some honest self-reflection. Where are you right now in your life or career? Write it down if it helps. Look at all aspects—skills, finances, emotions, relationships. Then, dream a little. Where do you really want to be in five years? What does success look like to you? Be specific. Finally, break it down into actionable steps. What do you need to learn? Who can help you? What small actions can you take today to move closer to your goal?

Imagine you’re chatting with a friend who’s always wanted to write a book. They’ve got a ton of ideas but never seem to get started. You could share this advice with them. Suggest they start by looking at where they are now—maybe they write a blog, maybe they’ve got a drawer full of story ideas. Then, they need to visualize where they’re going. Do they want to publish a novel? A memoir? Finally, they’d build a plan. They might join a writing group, set aside time each day to write, and research publishers or self-publishing options.

It’s about breaking things down into manageable parts and taking it step by step. The beauty of this approach is that it makes big dreams feel attainable. It’s not just about having a grand vision, but about making it real through deliberate action. And sometimes, just having that plan can give you the confidence to take the first step. So grab a notebook, start plotting your course, and take that first small step toward your big dream!