We all have goals and aspirations. Whether we go ahead to achieve them is another story. But for those who make that one crucial decision to go after their goals or dreams, they must have a starting point. Where is your starting point?

Many years ago, a supervisor who recognized my ability to see things positively called me into his office and said he wanted to share something with me. He shared something with me that, frankly, I would never expect a supervisor to share with his direct reports or anyone else in the company. He told me that he was having some problems with his bosses. The people he reported have lost trust in him. He tried to explain to them how much he is worth to them without success. He did not know what to do.

So I told him, where you are right now is your starting point. Take a look at your current situation. It may not be a pretty picture. It can be depressing to take stock of where you are right now. But, once you draw that line and make this your starting point, you can improve. Could you do it better. You don’t have to stay here. You are starting here to improve.

We can do the same in our lives. Perhaps your starting point is a debt of thousands of dollars. That means your starting point is in the red! It can be depressing to see your financial situation in the red. But his goal is to be in the black. Draw that line. Do you continue to accumulate debt or do you decide to start eliminating those debts and move from your starting point to Black? As little as you eliminate, you are moving away from him.

People don’t like to take an honest look at themselves for the same reason that some people don’t like going to the doctor. They fear the results. They fear bad news. So they prefer to stick their heads in the sand of their lives and ignore the problem and the problem keeps growing. It takes courage to stop and take stock of where you are. It’s not an easy thing. Nobody likes to look at their life and discover that they are failing.

However, when you get tired of a failed life, you will ignore the disappointments, regrets, depression or any other negative feelings that accompany your current situation and face it. Face it boldly and say to yourself, I will move from this starting point! Where I am is not where I will stay. I will improve and put actions to my decree. I’m moving from this starting point!