“Oh! The Places You’ll Go!” – An Adventure Manual

It’s that time of year again in which we assess how well we did during the year that’s coming to an end, as well as set goals for the upcoming year.  And who better to help us with this task than the incomparable Dr. Seuss.

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” is an adventure manual–some have even called it a career guide–that celebrates new beginnings and the possibilities ahead. At the same time, it can be used to help you determine where you may have taken a wrong turn and need to take corrective action, and where you are right now on your journey.

The book is about a boy–who symbolizes the reader–who is starting off on a journey to Great Places. He’s “off and away!” and can go in any direction he chooses. However, all journeys include perils, as the boy soon discovers.

Which Streets Will You Go Down?

“You’ll look up and down streets. Look’em over with care. About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.” With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.

And you may not find any you’ll want to go down. In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town. It’s opener there in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew. Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.”

Dr. Seuss explains that as part of your journey you’ll soar to high heights, you’ll take the lead and pass the whole gang, and wherever you fly you’ll be the best of the best.

However, sometimes you won’t: “I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you.”

Although Dr. Seuss is very optimistic about the boy’s intelligence and his abilities–after all, he’s brainy and footsy–, he cautions the boy that he will make some wrong turns and will sometimes end up in a slump or be left in a lurch. He adds that being in a slump is not much fun, and un-slumping yourself is not easily done.

The Waiting Place

When you’re in a slump you run the risk of ending up in a most useless place, The Waiting Place.   Dr. Seuss explains that “The Waiting Place is for people just waiting”.

Are you stuck in the waiting place?

• Waiting for the phone to ring.
• Waiting for the right job listing.
• Waiting for things to calm down a bit.
• Waiting for next year.
• Waiting to get that promotion.
• Waiting for another chance.
• Waiting for your big break.
• Waiting for inspiration to flow.
• Waiting for the economy to pick up again.

In the waiting place everyone is just waiting. It’s a place of broken dreams and of apathy, a place for those who have lost their way. As Dr. Seuss emphasizes: “No! That’s not for you!”

Dr. Seuss doesn’t explain how to get out of the waiting place, he just indicates that “somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying . . . once more you’ll ride high! . . . because you’re that kind of a guy!”  You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing.

On You Will Go

The boy continues with his journey, through foul weather, with enemies on the prowl, through frightening creeks, and though his arms may get sore and his sneakers may leak.  After all, there is fun to be had! There are points to be scored, and games to be won.  Life is a great balancing act.

Sit down for a moment with a pen and paper and jot down answers to the following:

• What were your three greatest accomplishments in 2009?
• What did you learn from each of these accomplishments?
• What were your biggest failures or disappointments in 2009?
• What did you learn from your failures and disappointments?
• How did you limit yourself in 2009?

Now analyze this information and use your conclusions to astonish yourself in 2010.  “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” ends on a positive note:

“And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)

Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So get on your way!”

When you have a chance watch the video below (it’s less than two minutes long). It’s a truly memorable opening for Super Bowl XL. It combines the beloved artwork and poetry of Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” with performances by Harrison Ford and football greats Bart Starr, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Franco Harris and Roger Staubach.  Enjoy!

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