One of the greatest metaphors for lifes journey I have ever heard is that given to me by my very first coach. She likened my journey of life to a trip in a bulldozer through a vast forest occasionally finding a path to follow but more often forging a path for myself through rough terrain. Encountering rivers, cliffs, quicksand and other obstacles, and sometimes spending a bit of time in a sunny meadow before forging ahead (and getting lost!) again.

This gives me a wonderfully visual representation of my journey which can really help me through the rough times. For example, the challenge of running a thriving business can be likened to staring down a cliff to a wonderful sunny meadow full of flowers…with a really steep and scary path to get down it!

I know that is where I want to be I can see how lovely it is there, and I know I am not there yet, and I know that I have a lot of work to do to get there. And with this visualisation, I can see my path and I am inspired to keep following it. This helps me to keep my eye on the big picture and keep out of the detailed worrying that bogs us all down from time to time. (it can also draw the eye to a shortcut, or an easier path…)

Can you compare your journey in life to a similar road-based (or not!) journey? Perhaps you are in a sports car on country roads, with the wind in your hair? You are aware, vaguely, of where you want to go, but your primary focus is on enjoying your journey and experiencing the things you see to the full. Your foot is to the floor and you are flying past landmarks barely noticing in your adrenalin rush!

Or perhaps you are on the M6 you know exactly where youre going, and the route you will take you are occasionally held up by traffic, but other than irritating you at the time, this is not a major obstacle for you. Or you could be on the M6, stuck in traffic and going in the wrong direction? Or maybe you are lost. You dont know what road youre on, where youre going or who to ask for direction?

Take a moment to consider what your life journey would look like in this sort of visual representation. What insights does this give you into your life? Perhaps you realise you need a bigger vehicle, or more fuel, or a tune up, or to get off the road youre on. The insight I have gained (while writing this article, believe it or not!) into my journey is that every now and again I need to come out of the forest into civilisation and get some help!

This is whats great about this kind of visualisation it makes you look at your life in a different way, and maybe youll see a different answer. If youre on the wrong road altogether, can you get off at the next turning and change direction? If you are stuck in traffic, is there a way round it? Maybe someone you know knows a shortcut? And if youre happy with your journey congratulate yourself and enjoy it!

This is the other thing that seeing my journey this way gives me its a fantastic way of lightening the load. Captain Chaos and her Amazing Bulldozer! Its like a cartoon isnt it? All of a sudden, life doesnt seem so serious or so painful or so hard look at the big picture and laugh. When you veer off the road into a ditch, see the funny side and know that this is only a temporary setback.

Of course, Im not suggesting you really drive into a ditch! But do make an effort to enjoy your journey, and if youre on the wrong routechange it!

To see how much fun I have had (and how much insight can be generated) with this metaphor, check out http://www.bulldozerdiary.blogspot.com and please feel free to leave a comment or two - I’d love to hear from you!

DonnaOnTheBeach is a personal success coach - and personal success means success in all areas of your life. What does this mean? It means living a life of Joy, Passion and Purpose. Is this the life you are living? To sign up for Donna’s newsletter or find out more about living with purpose, passion and joy, go to http://www.donnaonthebeach.co.uk or check out her blog at http://www.donnaonthebeach.blogspot.com