Everyone has dreams for their future, but how often do we pause to check if we're actually moving toward them? Without a clear direction, it's easy to drift far from where we want to be. Instead of wandering aimlessly, hoping for the best, why not spend a few minutes determining where you want to go? If you're even a little unsure of your path, this article will help you recalibrate and get back on course toward your desired future.
The one-in-sixty rule
Have you heard of the one-in-sixty rule? It's a principle used in aviation: for every degree you veer off course over sixty miles, you'll miss your destination by a mile.
To put that in perspective, if you were flying across the United States, from coast to coast—roughly 3,000 miles—a one-degree error would leave you 50 miles off target. Now imagine being off by 10 or 20 degrees. That's missing your destination by 500 or even 1,000 miles! All because of a seemingly small deviation.
How much difference does one degree make during a 60 or 80-year life? It's tough to measure life like we measure distance, but think about it: if you're off by just 10 or 20 degrees, where will you end up? Likely far from where you intended.
Most of us are at least a few degrees off course. Life rarely moves in a straight line. There are twists, turns, detours, and backtracking along the way—certainly in my experience, and probably in yours too. And because life is more unpredictable than aviation, even small deviations matter.
Zig Ziglar once said, "The great majority of people are wandering generalities rather than meaningful specifics." If you don't know where you're headed, you're unlikely to end up where you want to be. The truth is, you can't hit a target you can't see.
So, how do we navigate the unpredictability of life? Let's take another lesson from aviation. Planes flying from New York to Los Angeles are off course for most of the journey, but regular course corrections ensure they reach their destination.
Isn't life much the same? We constantly drift off course, but the key is to pause and check our bearings. With regular adjustments, we can stay on track. But these course corrections are only useful if we know where we're trying to go.
What is your destination?
"You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going, because you might not get there." - Yogi Berra
Now is the time to ask a serious question.
Where are you going?
If you know, that's great. If not, take some time to reflect. Knowing where you want to go is far better than wandering and winding up somewhere you never intended. Ken Blanchard put it best: "Knowing where you're going is the first step to getting there."
And it's not just about you. Your spouse, children, and those close to you deserve to know where you're headed. After all, no one lives solely for themselves. How can others support you if you don't know your direction and where you want to go?
There's no magic formula for finding your life's destination. You'll discover it by reflecting on where you've been, understanding who you are now, and thinking deeply about your future. As Benjamin Franklin wisely said, "Think of these things: whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account."
If you don't clearly define your destination, you'll likely end up somewhere you don't want to be. Until you can see it, you'll be at the mercy of circumstances and other people. It's better to control where you are going instead of leaving it to someone else or happenstance.
To develop a clear destination for your life, start by mapping out your goals, dreams, and aspirations. This clarity will allow you to determine where you want to wind up, measure your progress, and make adjustments. Regular check-ins with yourself will dramatically increase your chances of getting where you want to go.
Should you still be unsure about where you wish to go, you will find a simple way to develop a clear destination for your life in the following short articles:
Final thoughts
Why do so many people leave their lives to chance when they don't have to? Is it immaturity, fear, laziness, or simply a lack of insight? Who knows? But one thing is clear: they have the same choice as anyone else—to find their endpoint or wander.
Don't be one who drifts through life, never seeking their purpose and destination. As a responsible adult, it's your job to determine where you're going. With a clear target and regular course checks, your chances of reaching where you want to go increase dramatically.
As Emmet Fox wisely said, "Look where you are going, because you will inevitably go where you are looking." So, where are you looking?
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