How did I get here?

How the 1 in 60 Rule applies to your life and career

A few days ago, I shared this visual across my social media channels with the following caption:

Reminder: busy ≠ productive. ✅

#career #leadership #productivity #progress #focus #goals

They’re themes and insights I’ve written about numerous times, and I feel so strongly about them that I often repeat them when commenting on other people’s posts.

So when I saw my friend Brian Burman’s comment on my LinkedIn post, I had to smile:

While it’s super flattering to be compared to Greg McKweon(!), Brian’s comment also reminded me of the importance of another concept near and dear to my heart: ALIGNMENT.

Much like a car’s tires, when your life and career are out of alignment with your values and goals, you’ll start to veer off course.

And that’s no bueno.

It’s related to what pilots call the 1 in 60 Rule, which states for each degree a plane veers off course, it will miss its destination by one mile for every 60 miles it flies. The longer you stay off course, the farther you’ll be from where you want to go.

The trouble is that drifting one degree off course feels negligible; you hardly notice. You’re busy, sh!t happens, and years go by until suddenly, you have no idea how and why you have the life and career you do.

Ugh. That sucks.

The good news is that it’s never too late to course-correct once you identify where and how you strayed from your path.

Here are six clues you’re out of alignment:

1. What you say you want and what you’re doing are two completely different things

This is the most obvious misalignment red flag, but it’s often the easiest to overlook.

2. You find yourself complaining and blaming external forces for your unhappiness

When you’re out of alignment with your goals and values for a long time, you might start to feel resentful. And rather than explore this red flag, you might begin unfairly blaming anything and anyone within your orbit: the pandemic, your annoying coworker, or the barista who spelled your name wrong.

3. Something just feels off

If you’ve felt unsettled and can’t quite put your finger on it, don’t ignore that feeling; dive deeper to discover its source.

4. You’re not putting your talents to their highest and best use

Take it from me: you can be amazing at something and be miserably unfulfilled. If you spend the majority of your professional life doing things that don’t tap into your innate gifts, you’re out of alignment.

5. You’ve evolved, but the people around you haven’t

It’s incredibly difficult to level up when you’re surrounded by folks who are content with the status quo and who aren’t interested or are threatened by your drive and ambition.

6. You’re increasingly asking yourself, “Why am I doing this?”

We’re creatures of habit, so it’s easy to get caught in a repetitive cycle. If you find that something doesn’t bring you joy, learning, or revenue, it’s probably out of alignment with your goals or values.

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A lack of alignment is an insidious career killer.

The two things that can combat it?

Clarity and awareness.

And in my latest Forbes article, I share the two questions to ask yourself to get both. 

Shine on,

Amy

P.S. When I’m not writing this newsletter or doing my best to find and maintain alignment, I’m a social media ghostwriter. (Yep, that’s a thing). I help founders craft their stories to communicate and connect better, magnifying their reach and impact. (Think personal branding and thought leadership.) Learn more here.

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