It seems funny to think that there could be similarities between career development and motorcycle school, but there was one thing that stood out to me so much that I just had to share it. Although it really wasn’t that obvious to me at the time, 5-some-odd years ago, but looking back, it was a comparison just waiting to be acknowledged.

First of all, if your state offers a motorcycle training course, and you are interested in getting your license, I highly recommend that you take it. I believe MN’s course is 16 hours long, broken up into 4 days-classroom and ride time. Not only do you get your license at the end (assuming you pass everything), but you learn safety maneuvers, riding techniques, signaling, and a host of other good stuff-in a fun and friendly environment!

(“Where is he going with this?!” you are thinking to yourself right now…! Hang with me, you will see!)

There was one drill that we all had to pass that we called “couch in the road”. It was supposed to be like you were driving down the street and a couch flies off a truck and lands in front of you. We would drive towards a big square of those orange road cones (the ‘couch’) and the instructor, standing in the square, would point to the left or the right at the last second and we were required to go that direction to safely get out of the way of the couch. The secret was that you had to look away from the cones. If you continued to look towards them, you would run into them. This is different than driving a car because your body position doesn’t really affect the steering wheel too much. But when driving a motorcycle, your heads position affects your shoulders, arms, hands, and really your whole torso.

(Hang with me, we are almost there!)

Any/everytime someone (myself included) hit the cones, the instructor would report the same thing; “Your eyes kept looking at the cones!” he would say.

When you are at work, do you keep looking at the cones, or do you look away and safely avoid the obstacles in the road? I hear so many people talk about how terrible a project is going or about a sale that isn’t going to close, but they never look towards the clear road on the left or the right of the obstacle.

Then next time you see an obstacle, don’t lock on to it; there will likely be others (co-workers, managers…) that will try to have you crash and burn with them. After all, misery loves company. Instead, focus your energy on the positive and you will steer clear of the crash!

Dale Robert is a MicroBusiness Coach, Career Coach, and Speaker/Seminar Leader. Dale has worked in the Staffing Industry, primarily in the medical device field in Minneapolis, for 6 years. He is also a Competent Toastmaster, and the Vice President of a Toastmasters club in the Minneapolis, MN area. He is currently rolling out a 'Consultant Business Start-up Coaching Package', which assists Would-Be Consultants get started in business! Additionally, Dale coaches Technical Consultants & Contractors in securing more work in less time! Contact Dale at Dale@Career-Mechanic.com

Source: www.articletrader.com