Moving Is Not the Same as Going Somewhere
Okay, Actually is a podcast for people who are working hard and starting to wonder if the problem is them. It's not. In under 30 minutes, we dig into what's truly broken and figure out how to build a solution that can actually work.
In this episode, I'm talking about direction — and specifically why it's not the same thing as having a plan — and then offer some ways to think about direction at this point in the year.
We may think we need beautifully structured goal systems, Q1 metrics, and a formal review process, but really 30 minutes of reflection will help you move in the right direction for the rest of the year.
If you've ever had a genuinely productive week and still gotten to Friday feeling vaguely flat, this episode is for you.
00:00 The Book I Can't Stop Recommending
02:17 Direction Is Not Goal Setting
03:25 Show Premise Setup
04:07 Busy But Off Track
06:41 When Goals Break
08:36 Midyear Reality Shift
11:17 Plant The Flag
14:30 Two Step Direction Check
16:23 Five Direction Filters
18:52 Why July Matters
The two checkpoints I mention
Part 1: Direction Check (10 minutes)
Find an environment where you can actually think. Ask yourself one question: where do I actually want to go right now? (Not where did I plan to go in January or where should I want to go). Where do I want to go from where I actually am?
If you can answer it, you have your compass. If you can't, that's the work. And if you don't know where to plant the flag, plant the flag in "figure out where to plant the flag."
Part 2: Autopilot Audit (five questions)
What are you still working on just because you started it earlier in the year — not because it's still the right thing?
What meetings, commitments, or obligations came into your life without a conscious yes?
What are you still measuring that no longer tells you anything useful?
What would you stop doing tomorrow if you gave yourself permission?
What are you not doing that your direction is actually asking for?
Your direction is the filter. Run everything through it.
The whole thing should take about thirty minutes.
Book mentioned: Candice Millard, The River of Doubt
