On May 17, 2015, Apple CEO Tim Cook gave the commencement speech at The George Washington University in Washington D.C. He touched on an important mental model you can leverage for making better decisions...
The North Star.
"Work takes on new meaning when you feel you’re pointed in the right direction — otherwise, it’s just a job. And life is too short for that. We need the best and brightest of your generation to lead. You don’t have to choose between doing good and doing well. Find your North Star, let it guide you in life and work and in your life’s work."
— Tim Cook
A metaphorical "North Star" is a guiding principle, objective, or vision that helps steer your decisions and actions in a specific direction.
Just as the Greeks and Romans used the North Star (Polaris) to orient themselves at sea thousands of years ago, individuals and organizations define a North Star to stay focused on their goals or values.
If you’re not going in the right direction, it doesn’t matter how fast the ship is sailing.
You could also be the most consistent, yet lost, person on earth without focus.
Guidance can come in many forms.
It could be a big singular goal, like “fighting climate change” or more personal like helping your kids live a better life than you did growing up.
My North Star is helping others see how and why critical thinking is a valuable asset.
For a while, it was simply “helping others learn” but that wasn’t inspiring or specific enough for me to stick with.
Having a North Star creates opportunities for your actions and time investments to compound. Things that compound produce outsized results in the future.
This is where most writers insert the famous Warren Buffet quote... but I'll spare you.
The inverse is also true.
What doesn’t compound, gets harder.
What you can achieve builds on the knowledge, skills, and experience you earn over time. The relationship between a north star and compound interest is key.
It’s okay to change careers or the definition of your north star, but you have to remind yourself that the clock might reset.
That could be a compromise you’re willing to make.
You just can’t expect to grow at the same pace as someone else who’s been on the same path for years.
Are you headed in the right direction?
Who or what can help you answer this question?
Take a little time to think.
— DKH