North Star
This is your compass. When everything feels urgent, return here. When you've lost the thread, return here. This document answers one question: What matters most right now?
Update this whenever your context changes significantly — new role, new season, new priorities.
Current Season of Life
I am in the season of:
- Building — Creating something new, high intensity, growth mode
- Scaling — Systems and people, less doing more leading
- Consolidating — Protecting gains, optimizing what works
- Transitioning — Ending one chapter, beginning another
- Recovering — Healing, resting, rebuilding capacity
- Exploring — Searching for what's next, open to possibilities
This season started:
This season will likely end:
What this season requires of me:
The One Thing
If I could only accomplish ONE meaningful thing in the next 12 months, it would be:
Why this matters:
Current Role
Company/Organization:
Title:
My core responsibility in one sentence:
The 3 things only I can do:
What I should stop doing but haven't:
Current Priorities
These are the 3-5 priorities that deserve your best energy right now. Everything else is secondary.
Priority 1
Why it matters:
What success looks like:
Current status:
- On track
- Needs attention
- At risk
Priority 2
Why it matters:
What success looks like:
Priority 3
Why it matters:
What success looks like:
What I'm Saying No To
Clarity about what you're NOT doing is as important as clarity about what you are.
Current Constraints
Every season has constraints. Name them honestly.
Time:
Energy:
Resources:
My Current Mantra
A single phrase or sentence to return to when you lose focus:
- "Less but better."
- "What would this look like if it were easy?"
- "Protect the asset."
- "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."
How I Know I'm Off Track
Warning signs that you've drifted from your North Star:
- I can't remember my priorities without checking this document
- I'm saying yes to things out of guilt or obligation
- I feel busy but not effective
- I'm avoiding the hard thing by doing many easy things
- I'm more reactive than proactive
- I'm neglecting health, relationships, or rest
- I feel resentment building
When you notice these signs, pause and return here.
Quick Reset Protocol
When you feel overwhelmed or lost:
- Stop. Step away from the screen. Take 5 breaths.
- Read. Review this North Star document.
- Ask. "What is the ONE thing that matters most today?"
- Act. Do that one thing before anything else.
- Release. Let go of everything else until the one thing is done.