Finding your life's compass

Ever since I was a kid, I've been obsessed with flight simulators.

I would race home from school for lunch, turn on my computer, and take a virtual Airbus A320 from London to Paris before heading back to class.

Becoming an airline pilot was my biggest dream since I was 6 years old.

But then something happened that completely changed my path (I will write about it soon).

I found myself at a crossroads, having to totally rethink this identity I had held for so long as the kid who wanted to fly those big planes.

During that period of soul-searching, I started to notice a common thread running through all the things I loved.

Flight sims, space sims, the Ghost Recon video games, chess, F1 racing : It was all about precision, about paying incredible attention to tiny details.

It sounds silly, but I realized this obsession with being exact went all the way back to my earliest childhood memories.

In elementary school, I was fascinated watching my dad work on his projects at home.

He always used a compass, a ruler, green millimeter paper, and was totally focused for hours.

I remember something as simple as picking out a compass for school felt like a big deal to him.

I always ended up being the kid with the best compass possible in my class, and I didn’t really understand why back then.

From those little seeds, I developed a deep love for doing things precisely and accurately.

It became core to who I am across all areas of my life : I can't escape the need to be meticulous.

Realizing precision is my fundamental driving force was life-changing, it's like having a compass that helps me navigate my life.

I can make conscious decisions aligned with what's really important to my core identity, and this awareness has enriched every aspect of my life.

I know what hobbies I will most likely enjoy before even trying them and I know what angle will bring me the most happiness when I work.

Letting go of becoming an airline pilot was tough, but the process helped me understand myself at a deeper level.

Your true calling isn't necessarily tied to one specific path as long as you understand the underlying motivations and passions that light you up.

If you're struggling to find it, I encourage you to do some self-reflection.

Look back at your childhood and the activities you were naturally drawn to.

What hobbies and pursuits energize you the most today?

See if you can identify any common threads or underlying themes that tie it all together.

It may reveal your core driving force, the thing that's most essential to your identity and happiness.