When my marketing company came to me with my logo design, I had absolutely no idea what it was. I mean, it looked cool and all, but how did it relate my business objectives of assisting business leaders chart their course? I did some research on what a nautical astrolabe was, and they were right on target.

In the 16th century, “The nautical astrolabe was used to measure the zenith distance of the Sun or a star—most notably the Pole Star—during its transit over the meridian. Knowing the declination (distance from the celestial equator) of the celestial body observed on that given day, the navigator could determine the ship’s latitude through addition or subtraction.”
(http://catalogue.museogalileo.it/indepth/Astrolabe.html)

There are two very important things someone needs to realize when they are starting to chart a course to reach their ultimate potential.

The first is: Awareness, Where am I now?

And the second is: Destination, Where do I Want to Go?

So many people in life have no idea the answers to these very important questions, and they drift around aimlessly letting others move them to where they want them to go.

The second habit in Stephen Covey’s best-selling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is “Begin with the end in mind.” To summarize Stephen: this habit is based on imagination. Once someone knows where he or she wants to go, they can build a plan. Just as a blue print that an architect uses to build a house, a plan to build your life can be developed. Once this plan is in place and a conscious effort to move toward this goal in initiated, you empower other people and circumstance to shape you and your life by default. One of my mentors, Paul Martinelli, has talked to me about vibration in the same way. Once someone consciously decides to do something, and they can get their unconscious mind involved, they will start sending out vibrations that will attract other things with the same vibration into their life that will assist them to succeed.

During the preparation for my upcoming book, Teach Your Business to Fish, an Anglers Guide to Understanding Sales and Marketing, I interviewed George Poveromo (host of the TV show the George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater). I asked George what he thought was the best innovation in the last few years to become a better fisherman. He stated that the advances in electronic devices for the casual fisherman allowed him to do so much more than he ever thought. He said the new navigational devices allow him get to point A to point B quickly, effectively and save fuel. The new auto pilots and GPS units keep his boat on course and allow him to manage his fuel consumption for long trips. He also said that the new radar units and bottom finders allow him spot other opportunities that he may not have been able to see in the past.

In the 16th century, the nautical astrolabe was state of the art technology. As a business owner charting their course, it is imperative that they get to point A from point B quickly and effectively, but they still must be able to be on the lookout for other potential opportunities. So having the right plan, people and technology available can be of the utmost importance.