This post is inspired by a comment on one of my earlier posts. One of my devoted readers lamented the fact that she has not gone sailing because she has not yet learned how to back up the trailer.

What a bummer! One of the things I miss about living close to Boston is our old sailing club. On weekends, Trish and I used to sail around the Boston Harbor Islands or up to Swampscott. Sometimes we would go out after work and sail back in as the sun set and the city lit up. It was an amazing way to unwind from the day.

Do you want to be the type of person who would sail your boat if only you could back up the trailer…or will you be the type of person that learns how to back a trailer so you can sail your boat?

How to make it happen. First, imagine what it’s going to be like when you can drive your trailer:

Friday afternoon, you head to the shops and get all you need for a nice lunch on the water. You prepare everything before going to bed, full of anticipation for your big adventure. You wake up bright and early on Saturday, so excited to get to the water.

Double-checking everything you need is packed up, you head out on the road. A bit unsure at first, your confidence builds after you make it safely through the first few turns. Arriving at the boat launch, you back up slowly and get it right in just two tries. You think, “That wasn’t so hard!”

Boat secured in the water, you go park the truck like a pro. Back on the boat, you raise the sails and head out on reach with 12 knots of breeze, sun glistening on the water. What a day!

(To find out the rest of story, you must learn to back up your trailer…)

If something is holding you back from one of your passions, imagine how great it will be when you overcome it. Will your vision of success be enough to get you started?