#40 - Using Your Compass to Find Direction

By Armaan Athwal

Today's Overview:

• From lost to directional

• Zones of direction: Forwards and backwards zone

• Quote of the day

From Lost to Directional

Feeling lost doesn’t mean you have nothing going for you.

It’s not about always finding the most direct and efficient route. From my experience, obsessing over the perfect path usually backfires. I end up spinning my wheels, trying to find the best solution for everything, which can lead to burnout.

Think of it like this: You’re lost in the middle of the ocean on a raft, unsure which way to go. You could just float there and risk eventually running out of hope. Or, instead you could choose a direction and start paddling. Eventually, you might see a plane overhead giving you a sense of direction to head towards. You won’t know the fastest way, but you’ll have a direction to follow.

The process is: Feel lost → Understand and learn (like seeing that plane) → Find a sense of direction → Act. And if you feel lost again, repeat the cycle.

The more you understand and learn, the clearer your need for direction will become.

So, hitting your goals isn’t just about speed. It’s about consistently moving in the right direction. It’s about understanding what pushes you forward and what holds you back. Direction guides you through the ups and downs, giving you the resilience to handle changes and stay committed to your long-term goals.

Even if you’re feeling a bit lost, it doesn’t mean you’re directionless. We often have a gut feeling about where we want to go, even if the path isn’t clear. The real issue is when you lose sight of that direction entirely. Losing direction can lead to losing hope.

Feeling lost doesn’t mean you don’t have direction, it just means you might need to recalibrate. It’s about reconnecting with that deeper purpose and seeing what needs to be done.

Zones of Direction

I’ve created a drawing to illustrate the different types of direction in life, using a compass-like design. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Forwards Zone (Green Area): The top half of the compass represents this zone, where you’re moving positively towards your goals and making progress.

• Backwards Zone (Red Area): The bottom half of the compass depicts this zone, where you’re moving away from your goals. While moving backwards can be discouraging, it’s often a part of the process.

• Direct Path (Black Arrows): The two black arrows in the center, pointing straight up and down (y-axis), represent direct and efficient direction like how I mentioned earlier. The arrow pointing up on the green side being the direct path to your goals and the arrow pointing down on the red side being the direct path opposite to your goals.

• Reversal Zone (-2 to -1): This area represents taking steps backward. Although it’s not ideal, some backward movement is unavoidable in any journey.

• Lost Zone (-1 to 1): In this zone, you’re experiencing stagnancy. You’re not moving forward toward your goals, but are instead in a period of feeling lost. This is the time to understand and learn to regain a sense of direction.

• Trajectory Zone (1 to 2): This zone indicates that you’ve started to regain a sense of direction. You’re moving towards your goals with renewed focus and clarity, even if the path is still evolving.

The goal is to stay directed towards the forwards zone (the top half of the compass). By focusing on this area, you are in constant motion and progress. Maintaining this direction helps you continually advance towards your goals, navigating through the challenges of setbacks and stagnancy.

Quote of the Day

“Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.” - Zig Ziglar

Direction is what moves us towards the destination.