I used to set my car clock ahead by 15 minutes. This was to allow for "triangulation" time- the time when I was fairly close to my destination, but I knew it would take me an additional 10 or 15 minutes to hone in on it. For some reason, following maps or directions is difficult for me; I am competent in other areas of my life, but not this one.

When they came out with GPS systems for cars, I was so excited! I asked for a system for Christmas. It was a gift of time, really, and the best gift I think I have ever received.

I usually use it for heading to places that I don't know like the back of my hand. Today, I was on my way back and the GPS was still on, although I felt that I knew the way. ETA to the office was about 14 minutes, and I took the way that I knew best, although that route wasn't indicated by the GPS. To my surprise, I watched the "minutes until arrival" climb to 24!

I wonder how many times in my life I follow my internal GPS at the expense of the results I expect, driving the long way around or missing the destination altogether. I wonder how many times we all do- not adapting to the changing terrain of the economy, for example, or persisting in business practices that, if scrutinized, prove to be non-productive.

For the end of the year, I am looking back and trying a little self-assessment- What did I do right? What would I do differently? In other words, "What worked?"- both personally and professionally, because both are intertwined. That's how I know that I am driving according to my life's GPS, and not heading in circles on a well-traveled dirt road that leads nowhere.