Going in circles

I heard on NPR this morning that a research scientist in Germany found that, when blindfolded, we humans cannot walk a straight line; we walk in circles. This isn’t a result of being right handed or left brained, either. The researcher, Jan Souman, hasn’t concluded what the reason is but found that the subjects were able to walk a straight line once the blindfolds were removed and they were allowed to focus on something.

Interesting.
We know that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. So, it appears that when we know where we are and where we’re going, we get there easier and faster. I immediately related this to finance.

One of the first steps client’s take when they meet with me is establishing their goals. It seems that if a client focuses on his/her goal, he/she is more likely to achieve it. When you don’t know what it is you want to do, or where it is you want to go, you end up going in circles (like the researcher found).

One of my favorite quotes is by Roman philosopher Seneca: “Our plans miscarry when they have no aim. When a man does not know which harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind.” What harbor are you making for? What is blindfolding you? Are you able and ready to take the blindfold off? Circles are great in ballroom dancing, not so much in finance or personal growth.

Here is the link to the story if you want to read more: http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2010/11/03/131050832/a-mystery-why-can-t-we-walk-straight