Quality Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Quality Magazine logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • FEATURED PRODUCTS
    • SUBMIT YOUR PRODUCT
  • CHANNELS
    • AUTOMATION
    • MANAGEMENT
    • MEASUREMENT
    • NDT
    • QUALITY 101
    • SOFTWARE
    • TEST & INSPECTION
    • VISION & SENSORS
  • MARKETS
    • AEROSPACE
    • AUTOMOTIVE
    • ENERGY
    • GREEN MANUFACTURING
    • MEDICAL
  • MEDIA
    • A WORD ON QUALITY PUZZLE
    • EBOOKS
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • EVENTS
    • EVENT CALENDAR
    • THE QUALITY SHOW
    • IMTS
  • DIRECTORIES
    • BUYERS GUIDE >
      • Supplier Insights
    • NDT SOURCEBOOK
    • VISION & SENSORS
    • TAKE A TOUR
  • INFOCENTERS
    • Digital Quality Management Systems
    • NEXT GENERATION SPC & QUALITY ANALYTICS
  • AWARDS
    • ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
    • PLANT OF THE YEAR
    • PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
  • MORE
    • Expert Columns
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • QUALITY STORE
    • INDUSTRY LINKS
    • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • EMAG
    • eMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
  • SIGN UP!

Choose Your Path

By Jim L. Smith
July 25, 2011

In order to make progress, you must know exactly where you intend to go. Choose a clear and specific destination, and then you can get busy going there.

Having a vague idea of where you want to go is not going to do you any good. Know exactly where you desire to be and you're already well on your way there.

The dreams that are compelling are the dreams that will motivate you to take whatever action is necessary. And the most compelling dreams are the ones with rich and meaningful details.

The goals you will achieve are the goals you can fully describe. Give real life and substance to your goals and you'll quickly begin to realize them.

You can choose any destination you wish for your life. So choose one that thrills you and compels you to be the best you can be.

Delight in the rich details of where you are headed. And you'll work your way steadily there.

We don’t all choose the same destination or the path to get there. Choose the path that’s right for you. Maybe that path is not obvious and the following may give you food for thought and consideration. Go where there is no path and leave a trail where others can follow. Be a beacon of light for others to follow.

Share This Story

Qm0222 clmn face p2 author jim smith

Jim L. Smith has more than 45 years of industry experience in operations, engineering, research and development and quality management. You can reach Jim at [email protected]

Blog Topics

Shifting the Paradigm

Jim's Gems

Steve Adams: Operational Strategies

Recent Comments

Therefore great deal to take place over kinds...

Gee… I translate writes on a similar to...

As it turned out, it is quite possible...

For some it is significant, and so research...

nike tiffany and co jacket

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Quality audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Quality or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Key Takeaways for Quality Leaders
    Sponsored byComplianceQuest

    Key Takeaways for Quality Leaders from the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant™ for QMS

  • This image shows a person seated next to a Bobcat T66 compact track loader.
    Sponsored byPolyWorks by InnovMetric

    Supercharging Digital Gauging at Bobcat North America

  • Dorsey Calibration Lab photo by Tom LaBarbera Picture this Studios
    Sponsored byDorsey Metrology International

    Ensuring Product Quality in a Competitive Manufacturing Landscape

Popular Stories

Aerospace engineer reviewing a digital twin model on a laptop beside an aircraft.

The Demand for Integrating Cybersecurity into Aerospace Quality

CNC operator monitoring a machining center control panel.

Where Is ISO9001:2026 Taking Us?

Infographic explaining the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system, highlighting the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, continuous improvement, customer focus, and quality management principles.

What ISO 9001:2015 Really Means to an Organization

2026 Quality Professional of the Year!

Events

August 12, 2026

Eliminate Manual FAI Processes and Reduce Inspection Time by Up to 90%

Discover how advanced FAI software automates First Article Inspection workflows by generating inspection plans, validating results in real time, integrating 2D/3D data, and reducing quality escapes to improve efficiency and compliance.

October 25, 2026

AAPS 2026 PharmSci 360

We look forward to seeing you at the 2026 PharmSci 360 held on October 25-28, 2026 in New Orleans! 

AAPS is the convener of the pharmaceutical science community, bringing together thousands of scientists from across the world and the drug development process. For them, PharmSci 360 combines all the energy of a large scientific conference with the intimacy of a small niche meeting because of its unique programming structure.

PharmSci 360 is built on five tracks that cover the pharmaceutical development process. Scientists attending the meeting report that they build their schedule to solve their problems, and may attend programming in only one track or all of them!

View All Submit An Event

Products

Lean Manufacturing and Service Fundamentals, Applications, and Case Studies

Lean Manufacturing and Service Fundamentals, Applications, and Case Studies

See More Products
Rookie of the Year Custom Content
×

Stay in the know with Quality’s comprehensive coverage of
the manufacturing and metrology industries.

Newsletters | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Manufacturing Division
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Reprints
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing