Reclaiming the Lost Art of Finding Our Way

It’s been one of those days. Business was slow, and I found it challenging to motivate myself to do the necessary tasks. During tough times, it’s natural to fall back on what’s easy, and I began to question my decision to be an entrepreneur. I thought about going back to a regular job where I could have colleagues to talk to at the coffee machine and not stress about money.

Being an entrepreneur is a challenging and spiritual journey. Those who choose comfort and security may never confront their inner demons, but they also miss out on the gift of freedom. It’s like driving down a dark, misty road, passing only broken-down cars on the side. The path ahead is often uncertain. It’s tempting to abandon the road less traveled for the well-worn path of security.

In life, we all face moments when we feel lost and unsure of our next steps. These moments can be challenging, and it can be difficult to find our way back on track. But what if there was a simple way to help us find our way back? What if leaving messages for ourselves on the path we’re taking could be the key to staying on course? I think it is important to leave messages for ourselves in life to avoid making the same mistakes.

The book “The Lost Art of Finding Our Way” by John Edward Huth tells the story of how humans have navigated through the ages. Huth discusses how humans have relied on the stars, the sun, and the earth’s magnetic field to find their way. He also explains how leaving messages for ourselves can help us find our way back when we get lost.

Getting lost in the woods is a common fear for many people. You start off on a path, but soon the trees become dense, and you lose sight of the trail. You may feel a sense of panic, unsure of which way to turn. In these situations, it’s essential to keep calm and try to retrace your steps. But what if you had left messages for yourself along the way? What if you had marked trees or stones to help you find your way back?

Leaving messages for ourselves on the path we’re taking in life can be just as important as leaving markers in the woods. When we’re faced with a difficult decision or feel lost, we can look back at our past experiences and the messages we left ourselves. These messages can be anything from journal entries, to-do lists, or reminders of our values and goals.

For example, I am constantly considering taking a “safe” job that pays well but doesn’t align with my values, just because my business is not doing well. I feel tempted to take the job, but in these moments I try to remember the message I left for myself, reminding me to prioritize my most important values like freedom, service, meaning and agency over money. This message helps me make a more informed decision and avoid making the same mistake I made in the past. I went back to freelancing numerous times, just to find out that it was making me miserable.

Leaving messages for ourselves also helps us stay accountable and reflect on our growth. By looking back at our past messages, we can see how far we’ve come and make adjustments to our current path if needed.

As Huth explains in his book, finding our way is a lost art that we can reclaim by leaving messages for ourselves. So, the next time you feel lost or unsure of your next steps, remember to leave yourself a message to help you find your way back.

Remember WHY you decided to do this and make sure it is 100% aligned with who you are. I know it's easy to revert to what's comfortable and that's ok. We can't fight all the time, but even if you do it 20% of the time consistently, it will drive positive change. 

Before You Go...

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My mission

My mission is to empower people to discover their true selves by freeing them from the mental and social constraints that hold them back, and to assist them in becoming their best selves.

Jan's Recommendations

• Readwise: I love reading and enjoy using a variety of devices, such as my Kindle, physical books, phone, and computer. Previously, I used Evernote to store my notes from books, but it was time-consuming to maintain and not very effective for reviewing the material. Readwise is a helpful tool that connects to my Kindle and automatically saves all of my highlights. Additionally, I can use a web clipper to save information from the internet. I receive regular emails with randomly selected highlights, which serve as helpful reminders of the key points from my reading. This helps me retain more knowledge and not quickly forget most of what I've read. Overall, Readwise has been a great resource for deepening my understanding of the material.

• My favourite reads (constantly updated)

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The Anxiety Playbook is an article that provides a comprehensive overview of anxiety and its effects. It explains the different types of anxiety and outlines the physical, psychological, and social impacts that it can have. Strategies for reducing anxiety are provided, including relaxation techniques, mindfulness exercises, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Additionally, the article explains how to get help for anxiety and provides tips for managing it. Finally, the importance of self-care, creating a supportive network, and staying connected to one’s emotions is emphasized to help readers cope with anxiety. Through this article, readers will gain a better understanding of anxiety and how to effectively manage it.

Dive Deeper with a Coaching

On my journey through the dark night of the soul I had many great teachers and mentors on my side. I spent thousands of Euros (and still do) on coachings and every cent was worth it. I don't think I would have been able to turn my life around so quickly without the help of these amazing people. The value you are receiving from working on removing emotional blocks, limiting beliefs and toxic thinking, can't be measured in money. 

Most people only need 6 sessions in 3 months to generate dramatic outcomes in their lives. It's not like I teach them new things or have a bullet proof process. Quite the opposite is true. I believe that structure and process can help, but in most cases you're limiting life and all of its wonderful ways to create miracles for you. I am working on an intuitive level and combine all of my experience and knowledge from freeing myself. 

What my clients are saying about working with me

Clara, Startup Founder: "Through his own very real ordeal and great listening skills I felt understood and that he was able to level with me in a way that felt authentic and unlike other help I’d previously sought in this area. I was inspired to pursue my own happiness (not overnight) and today can say, nearly two years on, living in a different country with a life full of love and running my own company - doing something I love - I’m really glad we met."

Felix, Startup Founder: "Jan is an extraordinary human being and an outstanding coach. Through our coaching, he helps me tremendously with personal growth and always has practical guidance at his hand."

Zahid, Startup Founder: "Jan is an incredible listener. Through several conversations with him, I have gotten a huge amount of clarity about where I’m looking to go with my business, and how I can overcome personal and professional challenges."