*The download is below. But read this first:

While life doesn’t come with instructions on how to do it “best”, we do have built in mechanisms for finding our way – a kind of self-navigation that helps us maneuver through the chances, choices, and strange detours that lead us to who we are.

One thing I’ve come to learn as I’ve strutted stumbled through life, is that when I feel lost and off track, if I can question where I am in my own story and use that internal self-navigation system, I usually realize that getting back to my path isn’t really as far off as it felt.

If you’ve ever been lost in the wilderness, you know how quickly it can happen along with how frightening and dangerous it can be. You could be many miles or just a few meters away from where you need to be. It’s difficult to know.

Feeling lost in life isn’t much different.

There are times where you will believe you made a wrong turn in life from which there is no return. That isn’t an uncommon feeling. I go there sometimes too.

But when I question my maps and model of my experience and continually test them against a more raw input of reality, I can see aspects of what’s also real and true that was previously hidden. That helps me get back on track.

One of the problems with finding our way is we tend to have a negativity bias. Most of the time it feels like miles, when it’s just meters. We look in the mirror and we only see what could be better. We look at our bank accounts and wonder… what happened?

Our attention starts to slowly focus on the negatives in our lives, then we feel bad about that, and then we create beliefs about the data we’re picking up on. Our reticular activating system starts to look for additional data that supports our new beliefs and we’re stuck in a cycle of shame and blame.

But this isn’t the whole story of what’s going on in your life. Not even close. You’re just not picking up on what else is happening to get you going on your path again.

Let’s continue with the analogy of a map.

Imagine a UV/blacklight map that reveals new layers of detail depending on the light that illuminates it. Our mental maps literally change before our eyes when our assumptions are questioned, we adopt new ways of seeing, and our perception of reality changes. When we challenge our established beliefs and expose them to new ideas, hidden truths come to light.

Thermochromic maps change with temperature, showing different details with heat or cold. Our understanding of the world also shifts with our emotional states and experiences, transforming our perceptions and revealing new insights.

Just as these “reveal maps” expose hidden details through various lenses, our understanding of who we are and where we are in our life is an ever-evolving process.

But how do we question our mental maps when it seems we can only see what’s on the surface?

You need to open up the scope of your attention and recalibrate your senses so they’re tuned to what is important to you – this is your own version of being on track.

I created this process which I use when stuck in a cycle that I’d like to share with you. Consider it a “break in-case-of-emergency” kind of protocol when you’re feeling either miles or meters away from where you want to be.

How It Works:

First, download this worksheet and print out the LAST page 7x’s. This is for a week long protocol.

Next, get clear on your top 3 values. If we’re living life aligned with these, you’re on the path. So identifying what they even are is step 1.

Then, do a week of what we could call an ATTENTION PROTOCOL.

• RAS Protocol: When you first wake up, in the liminal space between being asleep and awake with your eyes still closed, say to yourself “I am (value 1). I am (value 2). I am (value 3).” Say it as many times as it takes for you to settle into the feeling of being those values.
• Then fill out the AM portion of this worksheet to tune your attention for the day on what matters most to you.
• You’re tuned in, now go about your day.
• Right before bed, finish the PM portion worksheet and freely journal anything else that’s come up.
• RAS Protocol: Drift off to sleep repeating again yourself myself, “I am (value 1). I am (value 2). I am (value 3).”

It’s deceptively simple but, works remarkably fast.

Your experience of life will begin to show you where you’re on the right track sometimes in subtle ways, sometimes big ways you’ve somehow missed.

It allows you to see where you can improve while being kind to yourself about it.

It begins to focus your attention on clues and signs that point towards progress and forward movement that’s meaningful and purposeful.

This Protocol is a gentle way to realign and see things differently without making any big intense moves. I’m all for big intense moves, but those aren’t sustainable as a regular practice.

Ideally, I’d do this everyday. But honestly, I’m not so into strict regimens lately.

I hope this process helps you find your way also.

Cheers,

Jeff Depatie

PS Please email me with how this has worked for you or if you need some guidance. Happy to help. jeff@artofadversity.com