I used to think clarity came first.

Before making any bold move—leaving a job, launching a business, saying yes to a new city—I had to be 100% sure.

But the truth I’ve learned, both through experience and through helping others make major transitions, is this: clarity is built through action, not thinking.

Over the years, I’ve rewritten my story more times than I can count.

Not because I didn’t know who I was—but because I was becoming someone new, someone closer to my truth.

And every time I paused, reflected, and reimagined my path, I moved one step closer to what I now call my North Star.

What Is the North Star?

Your North Star is your guiding light. It’s the intersection of your values, purpose, and vision. It doesn’t have to be a perfectly defined destination—but it’s a direction that feels true.

In Eastern philosophy, it mirrors the Taoist idea of wu wei—aligned action that flows effortlessly when you are living in harmony with your inner nature.

Western psychology echoes this with the concept of self-concordant goals—the ones that align with our core identity and values.

Research by psychologists Sheldon & Elliot (1999) found that pursuing these kinds of goals leads to greater life satisfaction, resilience, and well-being.

Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

In a world of layoffs, algorithmic resumes, and hustle culture, it’s easy to feel like a leaf blown around by market forces.

But anchoring to your North Star gives you a sense of internal stability, a compass you can trust even when everything outside feels uncertain.

👉🏽 For me, my North Star has helped me walk away from jobs that looked great on paper but felt empty. It’s helped me trust my gut when starting over in new cities, new industries, or new roles. And it’s helped my clients find alignment—not just more offers or interviews, but opportunities that feel deeply meaningful.

Your Story Is Your Strategy

Your story isn’t just something you tell people—it’s how you make decisions. When you clearly articulate your current state, your values, your vision, and your “why nots” (what you never want to go back to), you create a decision-making filter for everything else.

Think of it like this:

• Feeling confused about two job options? Go back to your values.

• Wondering if you should move to another city? Review your 10-year vision.

• Tempted by a high-paying offer that doesn't sit right? Revisit your purpose.

Your story becomes the internal script you rely on when the external noise gets loud.

A Real-Life Practice

I invite you to try this. Grab a journal—or your phone voice memo app if writing feels overwhelming—and reflect on the following:

1. Your Current Landscape
Where are you in your life right now—professionally, emotionally, spiritually? What’s working? What feels misaligned?

2. Your Values
What principles do you want your life and work to reflect? Which values are non-negotiable?

3. Your Purpose
What gives your life meaning? What do people thank you for? What do you feel pulled toward?

4. Your Anti-Vision
What do you not want? What have you outgrown? What patterns or environments will you no longer tolerate?

5. Your Vision (5 & 10 Years)
Where do you see yourself—personally and professionally—in 5 or 10 years? What does your ideal day look like? Who are you surrounded by? How do you feel in your body?

6. What’s Next (2-Year Plan)
What do you want to change, learn, experience, accomplish—or simply explore—in the next two years?

A Personal Example

In one version of my North Star, I wrote this:

"I am a product leader and entrepreneur who weaves Eastern wisdom and Western frameworks to help people live intentionally and sustainably. I coach, create, and design tools that help people navigate life transitions with grace and clarity. I live between two homes—close to family in Toronto and close to nature in California. I’m present for my loved ones, painting again, hiking often, and creating meaningful work with purpose-driven people."

When I re-read it months later, I cried—not because I had “achieved it” but because I could see how I was already living it, even in small ways. It was happening.

Bringing It to Life

Here’s how to make your North Star actionable:

🌀 Review your story weekly during your Sunday planning. Align your tasks with your vision. 🌀 Refer to it quarterly and revise based on what you’ve learned. 🌀 Use it as your “razor”—if something doesn’t align, let it go. 🌀 Record it as a voice memo and listen to it every morning to ground yourself.

Remember:

“The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind.” – Caroline Myss

You don’t need to wait until you have all the answers.

You just need to begin with one.

And trust that in crafting and revisiting your story, you’re already walking toward your North Star.

Let it guide you. Even when you’re unsure. Especially when you are.