“Are we there yet?”

I’m going on vacation next week.

Not counting the two separate times my kids were born, this is my first vacation since Cancun 2005. Unlike the times before, this trip includes two kids under the age of three, a case of red bull and a 920 mile trek across four states in a Honda CR-V. Why aren’t we flying? As Clark Griswald said best, “Because getting there is half the fun. You know that.”

“Are we there yet?” Those words are enough to drive any parent nuts at the start of a 14 hour road trip. Luckily, my kids are still in the “Dad, where are we going?” stage. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about those two questions and how different they really are.

The first makes you want to attach the afterburners to your car and get from point A to point B with as little fighting, kicking and screaming as possible. The second is a National Lampoon’s style approach which offers endless possibilities, including stops to visit cousin Eddie, the Grand Canyon and Wally World.

Life, just like vacations, is full of “Are we there yets?”. Before you put the pedal to the metal, play the game of “Where are we going?” instead.

The rules
In my “Where are we going?” game, there are a few basic rules. These rules are much different from the “Are we there yet?” game. Let me explain.

• “Where are we going?” is a continuous process.
   Once you arrive somewhere, the question gets repeated over and over again. Maybe we’ll start at Cawker City to see the world’s largest ball of twine. Then maybe we’ll stop and try on cowboy boots at Cheyenne next. “Are we there yet?” has a finite conclusion with no fun in between.
• “Where are we going?” is engaging.
   Once you find out where “it” is, there are only more questions to answer. What color is twine? And what is the name of the horse at the Pony Express Monuments in Sidney and Julesburg? “Are we there yet?” only has one answer. Yes or No.
• “Where are we going?” is adaptable.
   Maybe the world’s largest ball of twine just got unrolled and is now the world’s longest strand of twine at 1,475 miles long. No problem. “Where are we going?” has it covered. “Are we there yet?” only leaves you with disappointment when you reach the destination and find Wally World closed for repairs.

Where is your career going?
Careers can be played the same way. Ask someone that works for you, “Where are you going?”. Like my staff, you may not always get solid answers. That’s ok. The most memorable trips often stray from the Google maps itinerary. So often, we focus on glorifying other’s career map and following the ruts defined for us by “Are we there yet?”.

“Are we there yet?” seems to be everyone’s answer in a competitive, immediate, results-driven, fast-paced world. While most jobs can be this way, your career path doesn’t have to be.

Do you want a career path that is continually in focus, is engaging and allows you to adapt to what you love to do? We can all learn something from a Griswald family vacation. Put down the map for a second and ask yourself “Where am I going?”. Then sketch out some fun ways and detours to get there.

If anyone has any great stops between Overland Park, Kansas and Rock Springs, Wyoming, add them to my itinerary. Or just follow my Foursquare check-ins below. We’ll all have some fun enjoying the ride. Especially if it’s in a Clark Griswald green “Family Truckster” with faux wood panels.