Using Waypoints to Reach Your Goals

Four Keys for Making the Approach Work

I have always loathed writing detailed action plans. For a long time, I couldn’t work out why. At first, I blamed my inner rebellious self – the part that likes to do things my way – but the truth is I’m okay with other people’s processes so long as they are logical, sensible and purposeful. So what is it about detailed action plans? On the surface, writing detailed action plans seems logical, sensible and they are usually written to serve a valuable purpose.

Then I figured it out…

To read the full article, members please log in here. To subscribe please click here.

The trouble with detailed action plans is that things never play out as you imagine they might and so you are left with a dilemma. Do you continue to follow your action plan in which much time has been invested, or do you pivot and take what is now a better but different next step? Pivoting to the better step is obviously preferable but if an action plan is part of an accountability process, pivoting might not be an option.

Despite my loathing of detailed action plans, I know that it is important we have a way of tracking progress towards our goals. How might waypoints help in this endeavor?

Every journey needs some kind of map of waypoints, and these are important signifiers that we are on track to reach a goal.

-Wayfinding Leadership

I’ve been thinking about waypoints in terms of the markers in which yachts sail around during the course of a race. Skippers don’t leave the harbour with a step-by-step set of instructions as to how they are going to sail between the markers. What they do have is knowledge about how their boat sails, the skills of the crew, the weather and the sea conditions. They use all of this information, as well as observing what is and isn’t working for the other boats, to set and keep adjusting their course as they sail towards the
next waypoint.

What a great metaphor in regard to achieving our goals both personally and professionally.

1. Make sure you understand the course you are about to sail.
It can be very tempting to set ourselves a goal without properly thinking it through. One of the reasons design thinking is such a successful change management strategy is that it gets you to deeply understand a problem before you embark on a solution. Make sure you fully understand what will be required in order for you to achieve your goal, long before you set off.

2. Identify and map your waypoints.
Waypoints are the key things you need to achieve in order to meet your goal. Map them out from the start and then you can use them to inform and guide your next steps. They are also useful to show the progress you are making. Achieving small goals make the overall goal seem more attainable along the way.

3. Make it possible to gather intel from all angles and perspectives.
Be open to listening to and valuing the opinions of everyone connected to your goal. You might be surprised as to who has the most helpful insights.

4. Always be willing to adjust your sails.
If you start heading out on the wrong track, the sooner you can make a course adjustment, the faster you will reach your next waypoint. Never be afraid to change your mind if it means reaching your goal faster. As we sail these uncertain times, spending time figuring out what we actually want to achieve and then mapping our waypoints might be more useful than writing detailed action plans that can be out-of-date before we’ve even had a chance to use them. We need to be able to quickly adjust our sails in response to the conditions in which we find ourselves sailing.

Related Posts

What are you Doing With Your Life?

What are you Doing With Your Life?

Reframe To Reduce Stress And Reclaim Your Power

Reframe To Reduce Stress And Reclaim Your Power

Nutrient Boosting for Fussy Eaters – Part 2

Nutrient Boosting for Fussy Eaters – Part 2

School Leadership & Navy SEALs

School Leadership & Navy SEALs

Carolyn Stuart


Carolyn Stuart is a weaver of futures, who uses a strengths based approach to help people and organisations to unlock an abundant and enjoyable future. Carolyn’s varied career in education has included 13 years as a principal, 5½ years in a senior system-level education role and now as the
founder of Weaving Futures, a company that combines the latest design strategies with sound leadership practices to help people navigate their preferred future.

Carolyn can be contacted at: carolyn.stuart@weavingfutures.nz