Often times while trying to make a point the thought escapes me. As a result I’ll ask someone to wait a moment, so I can reclaim my train of thought. Moments later I’m able to recall the thought and continue.

Thoughts, like trains, travel on tracks but sometimes they jump them. Sometimes when we speak to people they may not be traveling our track. Our message can be easily lost or misunderstood. True communication isn’t always easy because you must evaluate the message you’ve sent. Communication is statistically the number one problem in every organization, but did you know it is the number one solvable problem as well?

To better communicate with others we must do several things quite regularly. We must talk to others directly and simply and then ask questions to determine if our message has been communicated as intended. Are you communicating a message that is being understood? Learn to locate your train and maintain the track.

In addition to learning to locate and maintain your train, you must also determine what it is you want to accomplish through your communication and in life. Identify your goals and create strategies. You must have a definite purpose to reach your goals.

How is your life going? Are you getting what you want out of it? Who is ultimately responsible for your life? By now you have an idea where I am going with these questions… you are the one ultimately responsible for living your life successfully. Is your train on track? Is your train on the right track, might be the better question.

Sit down right now and decide where you are going and how you plan to get there. Take out a spiral notebook or better yet go to an office supply store and purchase a project planner, then write down your thoughts and ideas daily. Write the date and time and maybe even where you were when you received the thought or idea. This information may be very important to you in the future. Whether you act consciously on every idea is not that important. Your subconscious will begin working toward your ideas and goals.

What are you waiting for? You’ll never again be where you are today. Time is not on your side, and it is not limitless. It’s up to each one of us to decide if we are willing to do what others aren’t, to put our trains on the right track. Doing the things that others are not willing to do is what makes some people more successful than others. This is what champions are made of. This is what makes Olympic athletes gold medalists. I coined a phrase “The Theory of No Competition” because you are not really competing with anyone else; you are only competing with yourself. What are you willing to do to reach your goals? Whatever it is you want, you must be prepared to step up and get it.

Once while coaching a young baseball player, I noticed he continually walked up to the plate and watched as strike after strike crossed it. Sometimes he would get a walk, but more often he would be called out having never swung the bat. Once when he was headed to the plate I told him to leave the bat at the dugout. He argued for a moment but I insisted. He walked up to the plate embarrassed, but aware he was now helpless at the plate. Strike after strike passed the plate, then he was called out. He came back from the plate upset and crying. I told him he didn’t need the bat if he wasn’t going to use it. I also told him even if he were to strike out he had a better chance if he would swing rather than just stand there. Later when he was at bat again he swung the bat and hit the ball.

Be willing to step up and swing from the plate, but be more determined to get the hit you came for. More professional players strikeout than hit; but when they get a hit or a home run it can be a historic event. After all, when has a batter ever received a standing ovation or had his team waiting at the plate to congratulate him for getting a walk? This moment can only be shared by those who are willing to step up to the plate and get the hit they came for. Don’t wait another minute, another second, start getting what you want from life right now. Plan your route and fire up your engine. Expect to get off track from time to time, but so long as your train is headed in the right direction you’ll find your track. Give the best you’ve got to give everyday and you will never lose your train.

Originally published on Ezine Articles