The Columbus Syndrome

This month we celebrated Columbus Day. Columbus, like many other historic figures, is today both revered and maligned.

In the cruel light of time we can take a look at Columbus and say that in the famous year of 1492 when he sailed the ocean blue, he did not really know where he was going. When he reached his destination he did not know where he was and when he returned he did not know where he had been!We can relate that to business and life and see the Columbus Syndrome. Many people and businesses don't truly know where they are going, don't know where they are once they get there and when they return they are not sure where they have been. I personally and professionally struggle with this a lot. I constantly have to reassess where I am and where I am going. Sometimes I am sure I haven't a clue!

We can let Columbus off the hook though. He used the information that was available to him at the time and did more with it than anyone else did so he went down in history.Today there is many more tools available to us that help us direct our lives, our businesses and (of course I was going to say this) trade shows. So unlike Columbus, we have little excuse for being fuzzy about destinations and directions. The information is usually there.

We just have to look for it--and use it.