I think the key to making a lengthy road trip bearable is using checkpoints. Spots to look forward to, to take note of when reached, and to mark off when passed.
My concept of checkpoints stems from years of video games. Every save acting as a mini lesson in the overarching concept of meeting checkpoints; near perfect conditioning for short term goal setting and reinforcement for the desire of accomplishment. Should I thank Mario for teaching me study skills? Zelda for helping me make good grades? Jill and Chris for pushing me closer to graduation (at the same time instilling within me a love for zombies)?
I must not forget the way Mega Man X improved my ability to retain information, forcing me to remember lengthy level codes in order to “continue where I left off.”
Regardless of who you have to thank for this lesson, recognizing checkpoints as an important facet of existence can only help you achieve whatever it is you set out to achieve.
I went from road trips to promoting short term goal setting – sometimes I wonder about my thought process.
All right, back to Texas.
