Steering the course of your life
I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that the subject of navigation is pretty close to my heart. A couple weeks ago, we talked about how trusting our core values as an internal GPS keeps us on track to reach our goals. Another metaphor that helps us wade through the tricky topic of continual realignment is the idea of captaining a ship.
The ship metaphor has been significant for me since my early adult life, when someone reminded me of the importance of keeping my purpose and goals top of mind to keep me on track whenever obstacles arise.
Then, years later, I made an eye-opening discovery as I began researching everything that goes into building a ship. I found out that each stage of a ship’s life could be mapped perfectly onto our own.
So how do we confidently set sail? And what can we do to regain control when a sharp gust of wind blows us off course?
Designing your ship
Let’s start with a bit of metaphorical roleplay. If modern life is an ocean and we’re all ships bobbing along, what type of boat do you connect with the most? Do you feel like a sturdy old tugboat, gently chugging across the waves at a steady pace, or more like a delicate raft doing your best to stay afloat. Most of us probably feel like a speedboat, racing along the water at breakneck speed, paying little attention to where we’re headed
Whichever ship resonates with you the most, the most important thing to remember is this: we may all be built differently, but we’re all seaworthy, and we’re all sailing through uncharted territory.
So how do we make sure our ships stay the course?
The importance of celebrating maiden voyages
A ship is not built to sit pretty and clean, untarnished, by the shore. It might begin that way, but a ship forever moored is a heartbreak. It may be safe in harbour, but that’s not what it’s built for. Boats are built to sail.
Launching out of dock is a momentous occasion accompanied by fanfare, champagne, and sometimes even the releasing of birds. How can you bring that nature of celebration to the maiden voyages of your life—the launch of a new business, a marriage, or embarking on a career change?
Our maiden voyages are not only momentous but uniquely intense. We are out in open water. We are making our own moves for the first time. We are trying ourselves out, testing our speed and limitations. We will make mistakes, and that’s okay. Because these steps and these mistakes are immensely valuable—through them, we are learning and growing, something we absolutely cannot do if we remain anchored in port.
Navigating confidently through choppy waters
That brings us to this month’s theme—realignment. Although the waves may heave and pull at our ship, and the weather can change in an instant, we’re the captain at the helm. This means that ultimately, we’re in command of correcting its course.
Moving a boat requires effort. They’re big, cumbersome things.Every move requires methodical planning, skill, and allowance for time.
Think of mindfulness as your ship’s crows nest—scouting ahead for whatever the ocean churns up and keeping an eye out for those all-important moments of joy.
Find your lighthouse
Like the watchtowers that signal ships away from jagged rocks in the night, there are tools out there to help you find your way too.
Consider the past waters you’ve charted. Reflecting on what went well and looking for opportunities to improve will help you continue evolving and keep future voyages on track. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help chart a course through whatever journey awaits you next:
What did I learn from my last maiden voyage?
What needs to be discarded from my ship?
What might need maintenance or updating?
What has steered me off course in the past?
The work of course correction is never-ending. But the good news is there are always more voyages—that means you’ve got plenty of chances to keep practicing these skills. The goal should always be continual improvement. So keep putting yourself out there and sending your ship out on voyages in pursuit of those goals that set your soul on fire.
If you’re looking for some help, consider joining the waitlist for my course, The JOMO Method. We’ll dive into topics we’re covering on the blog in greater detail alongside a supportive global community.
