Reclaiming the Lost Art of Finding Our Way: The Power of Messages for Self-Discovery
It’s been one of those days. Business was slow, and I found it challenging to motivate myself to do the necessary tasks. During tough times, it’s natural to fall back on what’s easy, and I began to question my decision to be an entrepreneur. I thought about going back to a regular job where I could have colleagues to talk to at the coffee machine and not stress about money.
Being an entrepreneur is a challenging and spiritual journey. Those who choose comfort and security may never confront their inner demons, but they also miss out on the gift of freedom. It’s like driving down a dark, misty road, passing only broken-down cars on the side. The path ahead is often uncertain. It’s tempting to abandon the road less traveled for the well-worn path of security.
In life, we all face moments when we feel lost and unsure of our next steps. These moments can be challenging, and it can be difficult to find our way back on track. But what if there was a simple way to help us find our way back? What if leaving messages for ourselves on the path we’re taking could be the key to staying on course? I think it is important to leave messages for ourselves in life to avoid making the same mistakes.
The book “The Lost Art of Finding Our Way” by John Edward Huth tells the story of how humans have navigated through the ages. Huth discusses how humans have relied on the stars, the sun, and the earth’s magnetic field to find their way. He also explains how leaving messages for ourselves can help us find our way back when we get lost.
Getting lost in the woods is a common fear for many people. You start off on a path, but soon the trees become dense, and you lose sight of the trail. You may feel a sense of panic, unsure of which way to turn. In these situations, it’s essential to keep calm and try to retrace your steps. But what if you had left messages for yourself along the way? What if you had marked trees or stones to help you find your way back?
Leaving messages for ourselves on the path we’re taking in life can be just as important as leaving markers in the woods. When we’re faced with a difficult decision or feel lost, we can look back at our past experiences and the messages we left ourselves. These messages can be anything from journal entries, to-do lists, or reminders of our values and goals.
For example, I am constantly considering taking a “safe” job that pays well but doesn’t align with my values, just because my business is not doing well. I feel tempted to take the job, but in these moments I try to remember the message I left for myself, reminding me to prioritize my most important values like freedom, service, meaning and agency over money. This message helps me make a more informed decision and avoid making the same mistake I made in the past. I went back to freelancing numerous times, just to find out that it was making me miserable.
Leaving messages for ourselves also helps us stay accountable and reflect on our growth. By looking back at our past messages, we can see how far we’ve come and make adjustments to our current path if needed.
As Huth explains in his book, finding our way is a lost art that we can reclaim by leaving messages for ourselves. So, the next time you feel lost or unsure of your next steps, remember to leave yourself a message to help you find your way back.
Remember WHY you decided to do this and make sure it is 100% aligned with who you are. I know it’s easy to revert to what’s comfortable and that’s ok. We can’t fight all the time, but even if you do it 20% of the time consistently, it will drive positive change.
