Defining Your Vision: Why Having a North Star Matters

Do you ever feel like you’re making progress on paper but not truly moving closer to the life you want?

For centuries, sailors relied on the North Star to navigate uncharted waters. They didn’t know every step of the journey ahead, but that constant guiding point kept them on course. In today’s fast-paced world, where distractions are endless and priorities compete for your attention, having a North Star—your vision—can be just as essential.

The biggest challenge for many people isn’t a lack of ambition or skills—it’s a lack of clarity about where they WANT to be not just where they're headed. Without that clarity, it’s easy to get stuck in the cycle of day-to-day tasks and checking off the typical life milestones (e.g., degree, job, car, promotion, house, etc.), feeling productive but unfulfilled. In the same way there are so many different stars in the sky, just because a certain path works for someone else doesn't mean it has to be your path.

So how do you define YOUR North Star? Start by asking yourself the right questions:

? What brings you the most joy and excitement?

? Which experiences or accomplishments have felt most meaningful to you?

? How do you want to be remembered by the people you care about?

“Achievement happens when we pursue and attain what we want. Success comes when we are clear in pursuit of why we want it.” - Simon Sinek

When I started The Wonder Project, my North Star wasn’t just helping people achieve goals—it was helping them to live more intentionally by aligning their lives with their values and aspirations. This clarity is what will keep me grounded and motivated, even during challenging times.

Here are three practical ways to start defining your North Star:

1?? Reflect on Your Values:

Ask yourself: What principles guide my decisions? What do I want to stand for? When your goals align with your core values, they gain staying power—becoming less about “shoulds” and more about what feels right.

2?? Visualize Your Ideal Life:

Imagine a day in your life five or ten years from now. Where are you? What’s fulfilling about that day and why? Defining specifics can reveal what genuinely matters to you and can give you a more tangible target to work towards.

3?? Break It Down:

Once you have a vision, make it actionable. Start with small, measurable goals that ladder up to this vision. This keeps the journey achievable and rooted in daily actions that can build towards your long-term aspirations.

Your North Star doesn’t need to be perfect or fully formed—it evolves as you do. But having that guiding vision provides purpose, focus, and meaning behind the work you’re doing each day.

? What does your North Star look like? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear how you’re defining your vision!

?? For more tips and tools to help you define your North Star and live intentionally, subscribe to my free weekly newsletter.

?? Follow along on Instagram (@alifewithwonder) for quick reminders, stories, and practical advice to keep you on track.

?? Interested in taking this journey to the next level? DM me and be sure to follow along the journey as we get ready to launch this month!