Do not change the traffic pattern, regardless of the reasons you might come up with:
- I wanted to be nice
- I was nervous
- I just thought it made more sense to…
You are only putting everyone (including yourself) in danger when you try to take on making your own traffic patterns.
Following are a few concrete examples of what I am referring to:
1. If you come to an intersection where there are stop signs for an intersecting street, but not your own, DO NOT STOP (or slow down to less than 10 MPH). Of course, you should be careful at every intersection, but by stopping or slowing significantly, you send the wrong signals to everyone:
- People at the intersection may think they should go ahead, which can lead to an accident if you are not in line with their decision
- People behind you could hit you as you come to an unexpected stop.
2. If you are driving down the street and find someone coming in the opposing direction is trying to make a left turn, DO NOT STOP (or slow down to less than 10 MPH). Of course, if you are stopped, do not block the street/driveway where the person is trying to turn into, but I am referring to an open lane where you *should* be driving ahead. Why?
- People at the intersection may think they should go ahead, which can lead to an accident if you are not in line with their decision
- People behind you could hit you as you come to an unexpected stop.
- If your side of the street has two lanes, your “decision” to change normal traffic patterns and wave the opposing traffic on may not be in line with the driver in the other lane which can cause them to hit the person you have waved in for the turn.
“What should I spend my time doing?” We ask ourselves this question everyday as we plan and schedule. Certainly, we even ask this of ourselves every nanosecond within our subconscious. However, my interest is not with routine matters.
I am interested in this question, the answers, and the thought processes which drive those answers at the macro-level: the level that drives one’s life in general. Many people do ask this question at this level, but not nearly enough spend appropriate time thinking about it or actually answering the question. Further, very few people take actions to get closer to making the answers a reality.
I believe this is a question that anyone who is looking to continually improve their career — and life in general – should explore. Naturally, the answer depends on many variables. One of those variables is time, and thus it should be re-asked on a fairly regular basis.
Although answers will vary, I believe the thought process that leads to the answer is something worth discussing, and perhaps even recommending for those who find themselves lost from time-to-time (that “lostness” includes all of us as we find ourselves in new territory constantly throughout life — know-it-alls need not argue this point, since you can’t tell me you have already been as old as you will be tomorrow).
I don’t have time to play a full game of psychologist, so for now, I would like to open the forum with just reiterating my suggestion that each person take time to:
- Ask yourself “What should I spend my time doing?” for life in general
- Document the thought process (variables) that lead to your answers
- Answer the question (make plans)
- Execute on the answer/plans; if you find a gap with your current situation, start taking steps to make positive changes
- Break your life down into smaller chunks and repeat 1-4 until you get as detailed as desired/needed
At some point, we may get to a point where people sharing their approach to answering — for that, #2 may one of the most valuable, while also being the least private/intrusive to share.
If there are no stupid questions, then what kind of questions do stupid people ask? Do they get smart just in time to ask questions? – Scott Adams
You won’t believe this…
I picked up a domain the other day (not to be mentioned). I found out early on (after I purchased it) that the site was previously owned…which can be either good or bad (or both). If it was a site in good standing with search engines, then good. If it was blacklisted, then bad. I had already set it up by the time I found out, so I didn’t really worry about it one way or the other.
But a few minutes ago, I found something REALLY unexpected. While “Googling” for it, a few sites came up that were [still] delivering ads for it! I think some of them were originally shared links, but it seems some were actual paid ads. And yes, the content of the ads is still pertinent.
I’m not really sure what to think just yet, but I am a little surprised and amazed right now…and so far, in a good way. Of course, I am calculating the ways that this could be bad, but thought it was certainly something worth blogging about. Any thoughts? Anyone ever had this happen to them?
