Your GPS for Life

Our life journey is never a straight line. We come across situations that call upon us to navigate complex emotions, make hard decisions, and at times, even let go of opportunities. Embracing challenges can also be tough.

What if we had a personal kind of GPS system—a “Guiding Personal Strategy” that can keep us on track? If the “G” in this life GPS stands for “Going where I want to go” and the “P” stands for “Planning to get there,” then the “S” must stand for “Succeeding in the journey.” Together, these elements form a powerful framework for achieving personal and professional fulfillment.

G: going where I want to go

The first step in any journey is deciding where you want to go. In life, this means setting goals. Just as a GPS system requires a destination to function, we need clear, specific objectives to guide our actions and decisions.

Setting a destination requires self-awareness. What do you truly want? What are your passions, values, and dreams? These questions help you define your “true north,” a term often used to describe the most important guiding principles in your life. If you do not understand where you want to go, it’s easy to drift aimlessly or follow paths set by others. Your goals are your own—they should reflect your desires and aspirations, not those imposed by society, family, or peers.

However, setting a destination is not a one-time task. Life is dynamic, and so are our goals. As you grow and evolve, your destinations may change. A good life GPS allows for recalculations and adjustments, ensuring that you are always heading toward a place that resonates with your current self.

P: planning to get there

The next step is planning the journey. Think of it as a strategy to create a plan that outlines the steps necessary to achieve your goals.

You may need to break down your larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Ensure this roadmap includes not only the straight paths but also the potential detours, obstacles, and alternative routes. Flexibility and adaptability are key components of planning.

Planning also requires a realistic assessment of your resources, including time, energy, skills, and finances. Be practical about what can be achieved within a certain timeframe yet, do not limit yourself.

S: succeeding in the journey

Success is not just about reaching your destination, but also about how you navigate the journey. Success is a culmination of preparation, effort, resilience, and learning. It’s about realising your goals while growing as an individual.

What defines success is subjective and varies from person to person. For some, success might mean achieving career milestones, while for others, it might be about maintaining strong relationships or achieving a sense of inner peace.

However, reaching one goal often leads to the setting of new ones, creating a continuous cycle of growth and achievement. Therefore, the “S” in GPS for life also stands for Sustaining success. It’s about maintaining momentum, staying motivated, and continuing to evolve. Success is a process, not just a result.

Conclusion: The GPS for Life

The GPS for life provides a robust framework for navigating the complexities of life. It emphasises the importance of setting clear goals, creating effective plans, and defining and sustaining success on your terms.

Just like the GPS in your car, this life GPS needs regular updates and recalibrations to ensure that you’re always moving in the right direction. By embracing this framework, you can steer your life toward fulfilment and purpose, no matter the obstacles you encounter along the way.

The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.

Sarita Bahl

Sarita Bahl is an alumnus of Tata Institute of Social Sciences and the Swedish Institute of Management Program. An experienced and versatile leader, she comes with nearly four decades of professional experience. She has over the years successfully overseen the communications and public affairs function and led the corporate social responsibility strategy for Bayer South Asia, Pfizer, and Monsanto, among others. Sarita has held multiple roles across diverse industries, the public sector, trade associations, MNCs, and the not-for-profit sector. Her areas of interest include advocacy, stakeholder engagement, sustainability, and communications.

As an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and Senior Practitioner (Mentoring) from the European Council of Mentoring and Coaching (EMCC), Sarita specializes in career transition, inner engineering and life issues. Sarita enjoys writing and is passionate about animals, books, and movies.