{"id":98660,"date":"2023-04-14T14:02:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-14T18:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=98660"},"modified":"2026-01-22T13:12:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T17:12:08","slug":"follow-your-inner-compass","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/follow-your-inner-compass\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Find and Follow Your Inner Compass in 4 Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How do you follow your inner compass? Why is it important to identify your inner compass to be an effective leader?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Mark Divine’s book The Way of the SEAL<\/em>, your inner compass is the internal force based on your values and goals that guide you. Sticking to these values are imperative for being a great leader<\/a> in business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continue reading to learn how to follow your inner compass in just four steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Identify Your Core Compass<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Knowing how to follow your inner compass will prevent you from getting thrown by obstacles that arise and keep you focused so you can operate from your greatest point of strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: To reinforce your inner compass, medical experts say that friendships can also support you through difficult times<\/a>. Friendships strengthen you by boosting your happiness, self-confidence, and self-worth; reducing your stress and feelings of isolation; and encouraging you to engage in healthy behaviors that support your well-being and goals.)  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, imagine that you\u2019ve been offered a promotion at work but your inner compass hinges on a stable family and home life. The promotion will earn you extra money, but also require that you spend more time at work\u2014including on weekends when you usually watch your kids\u2019 sports games. You decide to turn down the promotion because spending time with your family<\/a> is more important to you than the extra money from the promotion.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To identify your inner compass, you have to know what you care most about in life (your values), what fundamentally motivates you, what you feel passionate about, and what an ideal version of yourself looks like. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Identify Your Values<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Central to your compass is your values\u2014the things most important to you in life and that you won\u2019t compromise on<\/strong>. Your values guide your actions and keep you on track. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Divine says that following his values helped him make a difficult, life-altering choice. Shortly after he got married, the Navy deployed him to multiple locations for extended periods\u2014leaving his wife home alone. When she said she couldn\u2019t continue their marriage without him home more consistently, Divine thought about what he really wanted in life. He loved his SEAL adventures and team, but his inner compass centered on a pledge to live in the present<\/a>, allow the past to be the past, and create the future he wanted\u2014in this case, a family. Divine left active service for the reserve SEALs and his marriage. He says living his values was the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To identify your values<\/a>, reflect on how you\u2019d react in different challenging situations. First, get a pen and paper and find a quiet place to sit. Sit up straight, close your eyes, and spend five minutes breathing deeply from your abdomen to relax your body and connect with your subconscious. When you\u2019re done, open your eyes and jot down what you would do if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n