Finding Your Direction: August’s Key of Happiness
Whether your summer is continuing at a leisurely pace or already winding down, August provides the perfect opportunity to consider the direction we want our lives to take as we start the transition into the latter part of the year.
For some of us the lazy days of summer are already drawing to a close, and for others they are just beginning.
Whether we find ourselves transitioning from the relaxed rhythms of vacation back into the structured demands of daily life, or still have a few more weeks to enjoy a slightly slower pace of life, the shift back to reality, work, and routines can be both challenging and comforting depending on who you ask.
Wherever you find yourself this August, the Key of Happiness—Direction—is something we can all benefit from considering, no matter how we feel about this unavoidable seasonal transition.
The Importance of Direction
Direction, in its essence, is about knowing where you're headed and understanding the "why" behind your actions. It's all too easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind, and in doing so to lose sight of our larger purpose and goals.
Without a clear sense of direction, life can become overwhelming, and our efforts may start to feel scattered and unfulfilling.
So, if you are able to enjoy a little bit of a break over summer, it’s a great opportunity to consider both how you would like to spend that break AND what you would like to come next.
Whether it's professional ambitions, personal development, or simply establishing or maintaining a healthier lifestyle, having specific goals helps us stay focused and motivated.
Setting and Reflecting on Goals
As we creep closer to autumn, the final weeks of summer provide an ideal time to reassess our goals. What did we set out to achieve at the beginning of the year? Are we on track, have we lost sight of those intentions amid the chaos of everyday life? Taking a moment to reflect on these questions can provide much-needed clarity and direction.
Setting goals is not just about identifying what we want to achieve but also about understanding the steps needed to get there. It's about breaking down larger aspirations into manageable tasks and milestones.
For example, you might be working extra hard right now to save money for next year’s dream holiday, or perhaps you want to increase your daily step count to feel a little fitter by the New Year. Small, actionable goals can keep us grounded and motivated, helping us to both measure progress and to celebrate achievements along the way.
However, we can never underestimate the impact of the curveballs that life inevitably throws our way. So, whilst having high hopes and solid plans is a great place to start, it is essential that we also remain flexible and to not lose sight of how far we’ve come despite the unforeseen challenges life so often sends our way.
Regularly reflecting on our progress and adjusting our goals as needed can help us stay on course, even when things don't go exactly as planned.
Overcoming Procrastination and Finding Balance
One of the biggest obstacles to maintaining direction is procrastination. We all fall into the trap of putting off tasks, especially when they feel daunting or when we're unsure of their purpose.
Having clear goals can help us overcome procrastination by giving us a compelling reason to take action.
When we understand why we're doing something and how it fits into our broader aspirations, we're more likely to stay committed.
That said, procrastination isn't always the enemy. Sometimes, it can be a sign that we need to pause and reflect. Perhaps we're procrastinating because we're not truly aligned with a particular goal, or maybe we need to reassess our approach.
Finding the right balance between action and reflection is key to maintaining direction without burning out. It can be a very tricky process that requires support those around you, so please don’t forget to be gentle with yourself and to reach out to your support team where possible.
Financial Well-being and Its Role in Direction
For some of us, our financial goals play a significant role in our overall sense of direction. Whether it's saving for the future, managing debt, or planning for a major purchase, financial stability can be closely tied to our ability to pursue other life goals. Taking control of your finances is easier said than done for many of us, but even small changes can help to reduce stress and create a solid foundation for achieving other goals. So, even if it’s tough, giving your finances a little consideration and reaching out for support should you need it, can have huge benefits
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If you need support in this area but are not sure where to turn please consider making contact with one of these wonderful organisations:
Embracing Direction for a Fulfilling Life
Ultimately, direction is about more than just achieving goals; it's about living with intention.
When we have a clear sense of where we're headed and why, we can approach each day with purpose and, whilst some days will always be easier than others, this can provide essential motivation for us to tackle tasks that might otherwise feel pointless, and to practice and persevere so that, one day, we will ultimately prosper.
So, this August, whether you’re taking a break or returning to the structure of work and routine, try to take a little time to think about your unique goals and aspirations. See if you can set some clear, actionable goals that resonate with your values and ambitions, and then let them guide you toward a more fulfilling and balanced life.
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If you are already a Strive member and would like to find out more, you can…
Join us for one of our weekly Energise Sessions* where we will discuss this month’s Key of Happiness a little more
Or, if you are a Quercus member, feel free to bring it up with your mentor at your next 1:1
*Full details of All of Strive's Groups & Events can be found on your Membership Welcome Page
Just scroll down a little and they'll be right there!
And, as always, if you're having any problems finding what you need, or there's anything else that we can help with, just let us know!
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Members and non-members alike, are also very welcome to join us for our monthly
Refocus Webinar.
Recordings of these webinars are available exclusively to Strive Members via the Strive Online Platform but everyone is welcome to join us live for these events where, each month, we discuss one of the 10 Keys of Happiness with a guest speaker. You can find details for this months event below.
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Tagged as: 10 keys of happiness, direction
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