Put your compass to use
Choose one situation you want to explore, act on, understand, or connect more closely with what matters to you. Then choose an exercise that could help.
You don’t need to complete all four. You can think through the questions, discuss them with someone, or write your answers down. Give yourself as much or as little time as is useful.
Discovery · Follow a question
Use this when: You want new possibilities, another perspective, or information that could help you choose.
Allow: About 10 minutes to choose an exploration, then time to try it.
- Name something that has caught your attention.
- Ask: What would I like to understand about it?
- Separate what you know from what you’re assuming.
- Choose one way to learn more through a conversation, observation, reading, or firsthand experience.
An example: “I’m curious about singing with other people. I don’t know whether I’d enjoy a choir or prefer something informal. I’ll ask a local group about attending an open rehearsal.”
Afterwards: What became more interesting, less interesting, or still unclear?
If this didn’t help: You may need a more specific question or a different kind of exposure. Watching someone do an activity can feel very different from trying it yourself. You can also decide that this curiosity doesn’t need more attention.
Choose your next direction: Try Action if you’re ready to participate. Try Reflection if you have several experiences to compare. Try Purpose if you want to consider whether this deserves more room in your life.
Action · Try a manageable step
Use this when: You want to test an idea, put an insight into practice, or follow through on something that matters.
Allow: About 10 minutes to plan a step that fits your circumstances.
- Name what you want to accomplish or learn.
- Choose a step within your control.
- Check what it requires: time, energy, information, resources, or support.
- Decide when you’ll try it and what you’ll pay attention to afterwards.
An example: “I want more time outdoors. On Wednesday I’ll take a fifteen-minute walk after lunch. I’ll notice whether that time works and how I feel when I return.”
Afterwards: What happened? What would you keep or adjust?
If you didn’t take the step: What got in the way? Consider whether to make it smaller, arrange support, choose another time, or reconsider the intention. Missing an attempt doesn’t explain its cause.
Choose your next direction: Try Reflection to understand the outcome, Discovery to fill an information gap, or Purpose to reconsider why this matters. Continuing the same action may also make sense.
Reflection · Look again at an experience
Use this when: You want to understand something that happened or notice what’s working.
Allow: About 10 minutes.
- Describe one experience as plainly as you can.
- Notice your response during and afterwards.
- Name your first interpretation. What other explanation might fit?
- Identify one thing to continue, adjust, or explore.
An example: “I enjoyed helping with an event but came home exhausted. I initially thought volunteering wasn’t for me. The shift was also much longer than I expected. Next time I could try a shorter role and see whether that changes the experience.”
Afterwards: What do you understand more clearly? What remains uncertain?
If this didn’t help: You don’t have to force a lesson. Pause, ask someone for another perspective, or gather more experience. One event may not support a broad conclusion.
Choose your next direction: Try Action to test an adjustment, Discovery to investigate an open question, or Purpose to consider a recurring source of meaning or engagement.
Purpose · Make room for what matters
Use this when: You want your choices to reflect what matters to you, or you want to understand moments of meaning, alignment, or flow.
Allow: About 10 minutes.
- Recall a moment that felt meaningful and a moment when you felt absorbed and engaged. They may be the same moment.
- Describe what was happening. Include the people, setting, challenge, or freedom involved.
- Ask what you valued about each experience.
- Choose one realistic way to make room for that quality again.
An example: “Cooking with my nephew held my attention and felt meaningful. I enjoyed making something together and giving him room to learn. I’d like to arrange another shared activity and see whether those qualities show up again.”
Afterwards: Did the experience offer what you hoped for? Did you notice anything different?
If nothing stands out: Begin with something small that you care about or want to understand. You don’t need a life mission. Meaningful experiences can be demanding, and enjoyable absorption doesn’t have to become a long-term commitment.
Choose your next direction: Try Discovery to explore a possibility, Action to make room for it, or Reflection to understand whether it fits.
Before you go
What is one thing you want to carry into your day? It might be a question, an attempt, an adjustment, or something you want to continue.
Choose a moment to return to it. Your next experience can help you decide where to turn.
Use the Weekly Compass Check →
Get your bearings for the week ahead
Download the printable, fillable Weekly Compass Check (PDF) →
Take a few minutes to consider one situation or your week as a whole. Use whichever questions help. You can leave others unanswered.
Week of: ____________________
The situation I’m considering: ____________________
East · Discovery
What caught my attention? What would I like to explore or understand?
South · Action
What did I try, practice, or follow through on? What happened?
West · Reflection
What am I learning from these experiences? What might I keep or adjust?
North · Purpose
What felt meaningful or aligned? When did I feel absorbed and engaged? These may be different moments.
Choose your next direction
Which direction seems useful now? ____________________
One question, step, or adjustment I want to carry forward: ____________________
When I’d like to revisit it: ____________________
You don’t need progress in every direction each week. Use the compass to orient yourself around the life you’re actually living.