Have you ever had a perfectly planned day completely fall apart, and instead of pivoting, you just... froze? I had this happen last Tuesday, and it made me realise something huge: we're all stuck in GPS mode when what we actually need is a compass. If you've ever felt like your rigid routine or productivity system is working against you instead of for you, this episode is going to change everything. I'm breaking down why perfect systems keep us trapped and giving you five strategies to navigate your real, messy life.
Why GPS Thinking Keeps You Stuck
Here's the thing about productivity culture: we've been sold this idea that if we just optimise everything, schedule everything, and build the perfect routine, we'll finally have our lives together. But what happens when you're exhausted? When something unexpected comes up? When life doesn't follow your perfect plan?
You panic. You freeze. You feel like a complete failure.
This is what I call GPS thinking. Just like GPS loses its mind when you miss a turn ("RECALCULATING! TURN AROUND!"), we treat every deviation from our plan as a disaster. We become rigid, unable to adapt, and completely paralysed when things don't go exactly as scheduled.
The Compass Approach: A Better Framework
A compass doesn't care about the specific route. It just points you towards what matters: your values, your goals, your direction. The path might twist, you might take detours, but you're still heading in the right direction.
This framework is actually grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which introduces the concept of "choice points." At any moment, you can either move towards what matters (even when it's uncomfortable) or move away from discomfort (even when it takes you from your goals).
In this episode, I share five practical strategies to switch from GPS mode to compass mode: asking better questions, starting ridiculously small, noticing your patterns without judgement, supporting your biology, and accepting discomfort. These aren't about optimisation or perfection. They're about staying oriented towards what matters, even when everything feels messy.
Three Key Takeaways
1️⃣ GPS mode demands perfection; compass mode embraces direction. You don't need the perfect route. You just need to keep pointing towards what matters, one small step at a time.
2️⃣ The most important compass move when you're depleted? Rest. Supporting your biology isn't an away move, it's a towards move. You're moving towards being someone who can actually function and do meaningful work.
3️⃣ You don't need to feel motivated to take action. You can feel stuck, anxious, and exhausted AND still take one tiny compass move. These two things can coexist, and that's where real freedom lives.
Resources Mentioned
Your Personal Compass: A Choice Point Guide - I created this free worksheet to help you identify your GPS patterns, reconnect with your values, and plan your compass moves for the week. It's practical, evidence-based, and designed for real life. Download it at go.unwritten.coach/25
Full Article - Read the expanded version of this episode with additional insights and examples in my newsletter at unwrittenpotential.substack.com
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Episode Length: 13-14 minutes
Keywords: productivity without burnout, compass thinking, sustainable productivity, acceptance and commitment therapy, rigid routines, GPS vs compass, choice points
Perfect for: High achievers tired of hustle culture, professionals dealing with burnout, anyone struggling with rigid systems and perfectionism
