One of the fondest memories of my childhood is taking a family road trip to Florida.  I recall cramming myself into the backseat of an overpacked Ford Pinto, negotiating with my two sisters for elbow space and breathing room.  It wasn’t always pretty.  And before long, one of us asked the question my parents dreaded: “Are we there yet?”.

This question was asked approximately 5,812 times between New York and Florida.  The answer was rarely satisfying.

Of course, we ask the same question in business all the time.  Particularly when it comes to leadership and teamwork.

“Pretty soon I’m going to have this place running the way it should.”  Are we there yet?

“The team isn’t getting along, but we’re hoping that everything will come together soon.”  Are we there yet?

News flash – you’re never really there.

Success is steady progress toward one’s personal goals. ~ Jim Rohn

When I was a kid, we eventually made it to Florida.  But many of our goals in business aren’t so easily reached.  Just when you think you’re making progress, someone moves the goalposts.  Just when you think you know it all, you realize there is a whole new level of potential that you weren’t even aware of.

It’s like you’re perpetually in Georgia, impatiently waiting to cross the border to the promised land of sunshine, beaches, and Mickey Mouse.

But you’re never all the way there.  You have to learn to enjoy the journey and measure success by progress, not necessarily the zero sum game of whether or not you have reached your goal nirvana.  And it’s OK to glimpse at the rear view mirror once in a while and appreciate how far you’ve traveled.

Stay focused, go after your dreams and keep moving toward your goals. ~ LL Cool J