8 Tips to Help You Find More Direction

mind work Jan 27, 2023

What do you do when you feel lost, demotivated or uncertain? 

Do you worry about making the wrong decision, failing or becoming overwhelmed with responsibility? 

These are all signs that you may be lacking direction.  

The CDC estimates that 1 in 2 of us struggle with a sense of purpose. 

This is concerning because a sense of purpose has phenomenal benefits. It's been shown to increase empathy, lower cholesterol and even influence the 'shoelace caps' on the ends of our DNA.  

It doesn't have to be this way. 

With the right mindset and tools, you can take control of your life and find more direction. 

These 8 tips will not only help you find more direction but also lead a more fulfilling and successful life. 

1. Broaden and Build 

When you prime your mind with positive emotions, it does two things - it broadens your horizons and builds resilience for later.  

This is how an entrepreneur I was working with went from feeling lost to purposeful. Through priming their mind, they were able to see what they couldn't see and make decisions aligned with their heart. This included setting up a training academy to inspire their staff.  

Prime your mind to find direction.  

2. Braincare 

The brain is a social organ. It works through association, prediction and relation.  

Recently I've been studying the work of psychiatrist Dr Daniel Siegel. He shares beautifully the different functions of our brain and how this can help us unlock our true potential. 

If you are not sleeping enough, hydrated or focused on quality nutrition, it's difficult to join the dots.  

Your unique capability to look at your past with compassion and your future with insight will help you find direction.  

Look after your brain - it's your sense-making machine.   

3. Think on Paper 

We think, speak and type significantly faster than we can write by hand.  

Our limbic brain works fast. Although this can be helpful in directing us to more purpose, we need to engage the 'CEO' of our brain - the pre-frontal cortex.  

When you journal or narrate your past you can see the connections.  

I was recently working with an inspiring entrepreneur and, through a powerful journaling exercise, they were able to let go of projects that were draining them.  

This ultimately saved them time, money and energy.  

What would the extra time of writing your thoughts down be worth to you? 

4. Skill Selection 

Direction can be found in the development of skills.  

Skills build value. The rarer the combination of skills the more value you create.  

Initially focus on building general powerful human skills then go deep into specialisation.  

Find 1 to 3 people in your niche industry and study their skills. Start scheduling your learning today.  

5. Prioritise your Purpose 

Are you interested or committed? 

"Show me your calendar and your bank statements, and I'll show you what you really value." Peter Drucker 

The truth is that many of us want more direction but we don't allocate the time necessary to experience what we need to.  

Schedule some time today to put you back on track.  

6. Make a Definite Decision 

Napoleon Hill studied the minds of top creatives and entrepreneurs in the 1920s and 30s and, over a 25-year period, he noted that "definiteness of purpose" was one of the key features that led to the accomplishment of goals.  

What stops us from deciding?  

Fear. 

Fear of rejection, failure, loss of status, love or security.  

The only way to move past these things is to examine your mind, understand your story with compassion and take inspired action 

7. Presence  

Direction flows to you when you remain open to the infinite possibilities that exist.  

Being mindfully present is an intentional habit that is incredibly valuable.  

Create intentional routines for mindful moments - it's often in the transition between these moments that insight occurs and your path becomes clear.  

8. Dip your Toe 

Direction can only be created through movement.  

Commitment is important but you don't have to go 'all in'.  

You can be fully committed but start by just dipping your toe into a project. See how it feels.  

Get out of an all-or-nothing approach. It is possible to be fully committed to success and fulfilment but to test the waters before diving in head first.  

 *** 

Enjoy these practices, and let me know how you get on with them.  

*** 

1 Quote 

"Show me your calendar and your bank statements, and I'll show you what you really value." Peter Drucker 

1 Question 

"What will you do today to create more direction for yourself?" 

1 Quality 

Open-mindedness 

To find direction, stay open to the infinite possibilities that exist right in front of you.   

Want to take the learning further?

Take the 3-minute free Compassionate Mastery Assessment 

Because it is a challenge to know where to start on your journey of flourishing without an evidence-based assessment. 

Take the assessment now!