Having attended numerous driving courses, as well as motor school (training for motorcycle officers), I consider myself a fairly skilled driver. Growing up in the Midwest, I was driving lawn mowers and go-karts at an early age. I graduated to sitting in dad’s lap and steering while he worked the pedals, to finally getting my license at sixteen. As I was sitting at home contemplating life the other day, I realized a trap I had been falling into in my life.
In motor school, one of the primary teachings is to keep your eyes up and look ahead far down the road (high visual horizon). If you look at where you are or even where you have been, there are times you will spiral yourself into the ground. Crashing in motor school is expected as we learn this lesson, but it is one of those lessons that can, at the very least, be embarrassing, or can progress to pain, injuries, or failure.
Once you take these lessons to heart and practice them over and over, you learn how important and how much better you can drive/ride when you look far down the road. You can see what is coming, what threats are ahead. You can even learn to anticipate or predict what others are going to do even before they do it. Now, motor school was over 20 years ago for me. Even though I still ride, do I continue to apply this lesson? Well, that is what brings us here today.
As I reflected on my life, my behavior, and mindset, I noticed many key points that had not only been brought to my attention before, but also signs and symptoms I recognized in myself. I let myself get stuck in the past, beating myself up for old failures and old problems. Or I get wrapped up in what is happening today and never see what the future holds, or where I want to be, or where I should be going. One thing that was brought up to me in a 360-degree assessment conducted years ago is that I do not involve others in my goals, dreams, or plans. The problem with that is I have always been one who goes with the flow, who never really sets goals or has clear dreams. When I do, they tend to go off the rails or get lost in the planning or details, or I allow someone to sidetrack them.
But here’s the thing: I’ve realized that setting goals and dreams isn’t just about me—it’s about creating a shared vision that others can rally around. When I involve others, I gain accountability, fresh perspectives, and the momentum to keep moving forward. It’s not enough to simply have dreams; I need to nurture them, share them, and build a community that believes in them too.
This realization underscores the importance of figuring out and setting clear goals first. Without defined goals, there’s nothing to share, no vision to rally around, and no foundation for collaboration. This is the challenge I must tackle head-on.
So, as I was thinking about my life, where I am, what I have done, all that deep psychoanalysis stuff, I realized I was failing the motor school of life. Looking in the rearview mirror does nothing to get you where you are going or where you want to be. If you encounter a problem, such as funding, momentum, or customers, and you focus strictly on the issue, you either spiral out of control and crash or simply crash. Part of being a motor cop, at least where I worked, meant you became an accident reconstructionist. So, after investigating hundreds of accidents, as well as watching and analyzing them on TV back in the day or on YouTube now, there is a driving adage that is a truth: “where you look is where you go.”
If you lose control and stare at the one tree in the field or the only pole for miles, you’re going to hit it. So, when we focus on our problems or the challenges ahead, we run right into them. But if you keep that high horizon and look where you want to go, then you can drive right around and past those problems. Now I know this sounds like something I made up, but I promise it works. The first day out of motor school, I got broadsided, and instead of crashing to the ground, I looked towards the center island and was able to stay up and watch as the guy drove away.
Now the trick is not to keep the bike upright, but to keep the mind upright. For years, I have trained myself to be constantly aware of potential dangers. Those habits are great for an on-duty cop, but not so good for life in general. When we are focused on problems and difficulties in life, we cannot see where we are going or think clearly about our direction. Even worse, when we focus on past failures and problems, we often find ourselves stuck in a vicious cycle and are guaranteed to crash.
As we approach the dog days of summer, my goal and hope for you is that we keep our eyes on the high horizon, where we focus on where we want to go. Now, with that high horizon, we must ensure that we are setting goals and aspirations that not only benefit us but also others. As I was engaging in contemplation, which I mentioned earlier in this message, another thought came to me: Matthew 7:16, “You will know them by their fruit.” We cannot just hide in our house, plan, or do the minimum. We are here to do good things. Matthew also tells us to “let our good works shine.”
So, what is the takeaway from all of this, and what has come to mind? This is my plan for working here in August and for the rest of the year. Well, it’s to keep your head up and look ahead. No matter what is in front of you, no matter what the problem is, if we keep our heads up and look for the “out” or the best exit route, then we can avoid the “crash.” Focusing on the negative or looking constantly for the bad in people or the bad in the world, not only can bring YOU down, but can also bring those around you and those you love down. You also need a destination to reach. It is essential to have Goals and dreams to provide a destination.
Keep going forward! If you have ever ridden a motorcycle on gravel or loose dirt, you have probably learned the lesson that if you grab a handful of front brake, you are going to crash. So when life puts that gravel trap or other obstacle in front of you, do not grab a handful of front brake and stop! Keep your head up and your eyes looking for your “out” (solution) and keep going. That is another reason for Goals and dreams. You have to keep your eyes on something OTHER than the problem. Most of all, do not focus on the issue; focus on where you want to go. Your brain will find a way to get you there. Now this idea brings us to faith. Faith in our brains, and faith in God. If we have faith that the solution, funding, or opportunity will present itself, then all we have to do is keep our eyes open, looking for them. If our eyes and head are down, worried, and focused on the problem, then instead of seeing and embracing the solution, it will pass right by.
Finally, remember there is enough in the world for everyone. Bring others along with you, hold each other accountable, and go forward and pursue your dreams.
As we move forward, let us not only focus on our own paths but also inspire and uplift those around us. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positivity and progress. Let us embrace the challenges ahead with courage and determination, knowing that every step forward brings us closer to our dreams. Remember, the journey is just as important as the destination, and with faith and perseverance, we can achieve greatness.
Eyes up, and Look Where You Want to Go