I previously wrote about how you can consider a compass and its purpose and utility in the same way. Think of the it as an opportunity to pause for thought and engage in introspection. This process requires you to define way points and then embark on your journey. You then need to periodically reassess the situation to make sure that you are on track, and ensure that you are appropriately equipped to succeed.
I wanted to conclude my narrative on this topic with an elaboration on my thoughts as they relate to finding your North Star. Much has been written about this topic but there were a few nuggets that I thought were worth just restating. When I talk about your North Star, I’m referring to your self-defined life purpose. If you do have one, you potentially have it as a endpoint that keeps you firmly on a path of personal fulfilment and an understanding of your own success potential.
As other writers have stated, it is not about making your first million or the next 10. It is more about finding an authentic ambition. In this context of the compass it is your internal compass. It uniquely represents you, your values and who you are. As Lifehack Founder and CEO Leon Ho asks:
“Have you discovered your life purpose? Or are you simply drifting aimlessly on an ocean of wishful thinking?”
The challenge is to “Dare to dream” and because a North Star will provide you with incredible energy, drive and persistence and it become the distinction between having a fatalistic “come what may” disposition versus one where there are things you must do to be successful.
If you have a clear understanding of “why” then everything you undertake to do, will be more authentic and attract unknown possibilities. Consequently, ask yourself these fundamental questions:
- What is it that I love to do?
- What is it that you need?
- What do I want to be?
- How will I know that I have what I need,
- I will I know I have become what I want to be?
- How will I know that I love where I am?
Hopefully you have some clarity on all these questions, but if not, then now is as good a time as any, to start asking them. Most important, is to focus on the objective behind asking these questions. Just like setting goals and defining objectives, your personal objective is your North Star. That could be as something as simple as retiring by age 50 with no debt, good health and the satisfaction that you have led a moral and ethical life. The next question will be what do you need to achieve that? It could be that you need to have a good education, a good savings or retirement plan. The “to be” is to be not working in a regular 9 – 5 job perhaps? How you know you will have achieved all this, is measured by your waypoints, your projection of needs for your retirement and so on.
Now, let’s be clear, you don’t need to have all this worked out. Ultimately though, if having an end-game in mind, brings you more satisfaction, well-being and contentment, then that is all that ultimately matters. You don’t want to arrive at a juncture in your life when there is a mad scramble to get certain things done because otherwise you will feel that you have led a less than meaningful life or a less remarkable life.
Hopefully this post has inspired you to take pause and reflect on your current circumstances or your ambition. I would life to hear from you if it has. Please feel free to comment and let me know if there is anything of particular interest to you that you would like to hear my thoughts on. Also, if you have a topic you would like me to research or elaborate on for a fee paid engagement, please feel free to reach out to me.