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
    • EBOOK
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • EVENTS
    • EVENT CALENDAR
    • 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!

Jim's Gems: Positive Direction

By Jim L. Smith
January 14, 2013
What really matters in your life’s journey? Is it your failures from which you learn the most or is it the significant accomplishments from which you receive much joy and happiness? What really matters is the direction in which you are going on the journey. The direction is even much more important than the magnitude of your next step.
 
If you have been struggling (which is the category that much of us fall into today), it may be traced to a negative thought process. You can start turning your life around by turning your focus around. To move toward your goals, you must first be facing in that direction and not in the opposite direction.
 
Just a small step in a positive direction is a step in the right direction nonetheless.Just one small positive thought has the power to turn you away from years of negative actions.
 
Every moment is a choice. And every moment you can choose to orient your life in a positive direction.
 
You don't have to take big strides, for the small, incremental, steps will get you there just as reliably. Just make sure that each thought, each action, each feeling, however insignificant it might seem, points toward where you desire to go.
 
A car that is traveling 60 miles per hour toward the south can easily be stopped, turned around and head 60 miles per hour to the north. In the same manner, you can control your own destiny by directing your personal energy so that it moves you toward your goals and dreams rather than away from them.
 
Maintain a positive direction, and no matter what else happens, you'll always be making progress. Keep yourself pointed in the direction of your dreams, and every day will bring you closer to your desires. 
What really matters in your life’s journey? Is it your failures from which you learn the most or is it the significant accomplishments from which you receive much joy and happiness? What really matters is the direction in which you are going on the journey. The direction is even much more important than the magnitude of your next step.
 
If you have been struggling (which is the category that much of us fall into today), it may be traced to a negative thought process. You can start turning your life around by turning your focus around. To move toward your goals, you must first be facing in that direction and not in the opposite direction.
 
Just a small step in a positive direction is a step in the right direction nonetheless.Just one small positive thought has the power to turn you away from years of negative actions.
 
Every moment is a choice. And every moment you can choose to orient your life in a positive direction.
 
You don't have to take big strides, for the small, incremental, steps will get you there just as reliably. Just make sure that each thought, each action, each feeling, however insignificant it might seem, points toward where you desire to go.
 
A car that is traveling 60 miles per hour toward the south can easily be stopped, turned around and head 60 miles per hour to the north. In the same manner, you can control your own destiny by directing your personal energy so that it moves you toward your goals and dreams rather than away from them.
 
Maintain a positive direction, and no matter what else happens, you'll always be making progress. Keep yourself pointed in the direction of your dreams, and every day will bring you closer to your desires. 
KEYWORDS: positive thoughts

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

a titanium diaphragm speaker driver

The One Thing Elon Gets Right Is Designed to Scare You

This image shows a person seated next to a Bobcat T66 compact track loader.

Supercharging Digital Gauging at Bobcat North America

Dorsey Calibration Lab photo by Tom LaBarbera Picture this Studios

Ensuring Product Quality in a Competitive Manufacturing Landscape

2026 Quality Professional of the Year!

Events

June 9, 2026

Future-Proof your Quality Processes with Advanced 3D Optical CMM Technology

Discover how to effortlessly capture complex data, leverage true multi-sensor automation, and ensure continuous operation without creating inspection delays.

June 22, 2026

Automate 2026

Automate is North America's largest robotics and automation event — and the best place to take your ideas from insight to impact.
 
Our show floor features the world’s leading automation solutions, from AI and robotics to motion control, vision systems, and more. Plus, our educational conference is second to none, led by the brightest minds in automation today.
 
Ready to transform the way you work? Take the next step at Automate.
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
Quality Podcast Channel 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