Internal v/s External Navigation in Life and Work

Often, early on in life we tend to navigate through our decisions and sense of direction based on what others have told us is good for us. We are influenced by the perceptions and projections of those closest to us, family, friends and also the education system which creates a hierarchy of what is considered a ‘good’ job – since it will earn more money and so on. This is ‘external navigation’, where we move through life predominantly based on the perceptions of what those around us think is good for us, and the ‘value’ judgements of society as a whole!

However, just because you have a ‘good’ job, doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you! At some point, we often wake up to this as we realise that our ‘inner’ calling is something different and seek change. This can be like a second birth, where even if you are a well adjusted and adapted person, you are left scrambling around, internally, trying to find your own feet about what is right for you! This is ‘internal navigation’ where you start to make decisions based on what fulfils you, as an individual.

The journey inwards can often be a tricky one, as the ‘really getting to know yourself’ phase isn’t often something we are taught. Yoga, meditation, therapies, can all be ways of cutting through the various layers of noise that can fill and clutter your mind and get you closer to what your own Heart is telling you!