🧭 Following Your Own North Star
There’s a certain comfort in playing it safe.
The steady paycheck.
The predictable move.
The path that everyone expects you to take.
But here’s the thing:
Playing it safe isn’t always what’s best.
💬 The Choice That Tested My Compass
Years ago, my company announced it was moving its headquarters to New Jersey. They wanted me to relocate.
It would have been the smartest and safest decision to say yes:
- I had a stable job.
- They were covering relocation.
- It was the “logical” next step.
So, what was there to think about?
Everything.
Why?
Because my heart wasn’t in New Jersey.
It was here.
The place where I have built a life I love, a strong community, friends who are like family, sunny days that recharge me, and a wonderful volleyball community that feeds my soul.
I could choose safety, or I could choose risk.
⚡ Choosing Risk & Myself
I followed my gut. I stayed.
Not because I was reckless, but because I trusted the foundation I had built:
- I knew I was marketable.
- I knew my skills had value.
- I knew I was willing to put in the work to find the right next step.
So, I bet on myself. And you know what?
I landed exactly where I was supposed to.
🧠 Why Trusting the Compass Matters
We spend so much time building our skills, networks, and reputation. But when it’s time to make a big decision, those things only matter if we trust them enough to act.
Whether it’s:
- A job change
- A move
- A tough relationship decision
- Or any fork in the road
The safest route may keep you from failing, but it can also keep you from growing into your best self.
🔑 How to Strengthen Your Inner Compass
1. Know Your Values
Be crystal clear about what matters most to you – both personally and professionally. This becomes your decision-making filter.
2. Build Your Foundation Before You Need It
Keep growing your skills, nurturing your network, and strengthening your reputation. When opportunity or change comes, you’ll be ready.
3. Listen to Your Gut, Check the Facts
Intuition is powerful – but pair it with what you know to be true about your abilities, resources, and options.
4. Be Willing to Bet on Yourself
If you can’t trust yourself to make the leap, it’s time to do the work so that you can.
🌱 Final Thought: The Compass Is Useless Unless You Follow It
It’s one thing to have values. It’s another to live by them – especially when they lead you away from the “safe” choice.
If the foundation you’ve built is strong, you can trust it to hold you – through risk, change, and uncertainty. And if you realize it’s not strong enough? That’s your cue to start building now.
Because the real danger isn’t taking a risk – it’s ignoring the compass that’s been pointing you toward the life you’re meant to live.
Authentic Evolution Journey 