Hi there and a warm welcome back! Today’s blog is going to talk about having a north star, what a north star actually is and give you a few pointers to help you to start the journey to work out what yours is and how you’re going to get there.
What is the north star and what’s that got to do with me……
I once had a boss who was and I’m sure still is a deeply spiritual soul. He would not only talk about his vision for the business we worked in, but he would also talk about our own personal vision, our north star. This piqued my interest, I knew the company vision for sure, but did I know my own? And why call it a north star, what is that all about?
In the physical sense, the north star is the anchor of the northern sky. It’s a landmark which helps those who follow it determine their direction as it glows brightly to guide them and lead toward a purposeful destination. The earth’s axis is pointed almost directly at the north star. During the course of the night, the north star doesn’t rise or set, it remains in very nearly the same spot above the northern horizon year-round while the other stars circle around it.
So that’s the whistle stop astronomy bit done, how then could we make that work for us on our own journey to a purposeful destination? How could using the metaphor of a north star help our own discovery of our deepest calling?
Knowing what your own personal north star is, is basically knowing your life’s purpose. What you are here to do. It’s our inner compass; the part of us that knows our passion, purpose, and life direction.
Imagine a fixed point on which you can focus your direction of travel. A point which, despite whatever else goes on around it, stays exactly where it is. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, whoever you’re with, you can recalibrate yourself by fixing your sights back on your north star.
Sound good? Let’s get going ….
That sounds like a big decision to make, what if I get it wrong?
Everyone’s north star is deeply personal to them. Some examples might be, writing a book, climbing mount Everest, owning a business. There is no right or wrong here because it’s yours and yours only. No one gets to tell you what it should be.
But what if you change your mind? What if something happens that means you no longer have the same end game?
Well, that’s just fine, don’t be afraid to start your quest to find your north star because events you can’t possibly know or mitigate for might change it. The discoveries you’ll make about yourself on the way will be enlightening in themselves. Ever heard of the saying reach for the moon and if you miss at least you’ll land among the stars? And if those discoveries about yourself mean you discover your north star is actually something different to what you originally thought, well done you for finding that out about yourself.
Where do I start?
So where to start? Here are a few tips for you to use to help you on your way.
What brings you joy? What do you get excited about? What puts a huge grin on your face?
What is the most important thing you want to achieve?
This part is like laying the foundations of a new home, spend quality time on this. Put time aside to be able to sit quietly and think.
Use all of your senses. How would achieving this dream look, feel, sound like, how would it taste and smell?
Ideas could come to you anytime, anywhere, so maybe carry a notebook to scribble them down in.
A vision board is an amazing way to get all those brilliant ideas out of your head and onto something concrete you can see. Get a decent sized piece of cardboard and engage your inner child and a pritt stick to get drawing, painting and chopping pictures out of magazines.
Make yourself a colourful depiction of your north star. Something you can get your hands on, you can see, touch and feel.
Take a picture of your board so you always have it with you to check back in with. Doing something you know is probably not great for your plan? Take a minute, look at your board and remind yourself of why you’re on this journey.
Take time each morning and night to look at your vision board. In the morning you could commit to one thing you’re going to do today to take you a step closer towards your north star. Taking time to look at your board before your sleep could fire up your creative juices whilst you dream and bring fresh inspiration when you wake up.
Break down the steps you need to take to achieve your dream. Write them down and keep a daily journal to help you see how you’re doing.
Share it with those around you, the important people in your life. Let them understand what it is you dream of, maybe they can support you. Ask someone you really trust to be your accountability partner.
Make time to reconnect with your north star and check in with yourself whether what you’re are doing is getting you closer to it. If yes, wahey! Well done you! If no, re- evaluate what you’re doing, make some changes and away you go again.
So, there you have a short introduction to what a north star is, how it could help you and some ideas on how you could set off on your quest. I hope something you’ve read here today has fired up your curiosity and sparked your desire to get started. I would love to know how you get on!
If you’ve enjoyed reading this today, please share it with others, and if you’d like to know more about how coaching and mentoring can help you, you can find me and links to my website on my FB page The Curious Coach, my LinkedIn page, The Curious Coach or on Instagram @thecuriouscoachuk.
