What Kind of Way Finder Are You?
Find Out and Start Overcoming Inertia Today
Whether it’s starting a new project, hitting the gym, or simply getting out of bed on a lazy Sunday, inertia is often the invisible force holding us back.
I recall a pivotal moment from my childhood when I kept ranking in the middle of my year group. By identifying whether my inertia stemmed from perfectionism, overwhelm, a fixed mindset, lack of purpose, or fear of the outcome, I was able to develop targeted strategies to overcome these mental obstacles.
This is where taking a quiz like the Wayfinder Type assessment can be incredibly valuable. Answer ten questions and gain insight into the friction that's holding you back and receive personalized recommendations for overcoming it. If you're ready to identify your friction points and start overcoming inertia today, I highly recommend taking the Wayfinder Type quiz.
Understanding Inertia
Inertia is the resistance to change, whether it’s starting something new or stopping something habitual. It’s rooted in our comfort zones and often manifests as procrastination or avoidance. The common frictions that fuel this inertia are all too familiar: perfectionism, overwhelm, a fixed mindset, lack of purpose, and fear of the outcome. These mental obstacles can leave us feeling powerless to break free from the status quo. But how do we overcome these mental obstacles that result in a perpetual internal struggle?
I've been reflecting on how bold I once was in pursuing my goals and enacting change in my life before I got bogged with the conflicting notions of how the world works. I remembered an incident from my childhood and extracted the framework I used to overcome inertia.
Identify the challenge:
Clearly define the specific challenge or goal you want to achieve. Understanding what you're up against will make it easier to formulate a plan. In my case, I wanted to get into the A-Class.
When I was in junior secondary overall position in my year group for the first six terms looked like this:
Find Your Why (Motivation)
Prior to the 6th term, my main source of motivation was extrinsic and driven by external factors, in my case, a fear of consequences:
My parents had been admonishing me incessantly.
My school had decided that going forward, they’d place the first 30 students in the A class, the next 30 in the B class, and the last 30 in the C class.
I narrowly missed making it into the A class by finishing 25th in the 6th term. While this achievement was significant and met my initial goal, I soon faced another challenge: I didn't want to remain at the bottom of the A class.
Sometime after this, my intrinsic motivation kicked in!
Intrinsic motivation refers to engaging in an activity for its own sake, out of interest, enjoyment, or inherent satisfaction. It arises from within the individual and is driven by personal passions, curiosity, or the pleasure derived from the task itself.
I believe that extrinsic motivation has its place but it’s not enough to sustain momentum for the long haul. If you want to get started, find some extrinsic motivation but if you want to go far find some intrinsic motivation.
Identify Your Friction
Pinpoint the mental obstacles that hold you back. These could be perfectionism, overwhelm, a fixed mindset, lack of purpose, or fear of failure.
The moment I began envisioning how I’d advance from the bottom of the A class, fear kicked in!
Develop Your Counter Strategy
Write down your goals and the steps necessary to achieve them.
I quickly defined my own version of success and meticulously wrote it down:
Get A’s in all 14 subjects.
Take a nap every afternoon. *Inspired by a girl who consistently topped her year group. Previously, I would chat with my bunkmate during siesta hour, risking getting caught.
I committed three quotes to memory, which served as motivational anchors to keep me focused.
I created a reading schedule.
Implement Your Strategy
Adhere to it!
I believe this to be the most important component of the framework!
Evaluate Your Results
In the next term, I ranked 14th, achieving 12 A’s, 1 B, and 1 C. The following term, I advanced to 7th place with 13 A’s and 1 B. Interestingly, in both instances, I had more A’s than those who ranked ahead of me.
This experience reminds me that overcoming inertia doesn't require an overabundance of information. I didn't know the methods for goal setting nor the science behind writing down goals and striving to achieve them. I also wasn't aware of the importance of sleep when learning and retaining information. Sometimes, amassing information can be a form of procrastination. At some point, you need to take action with what you already know.
To overcome the inertia that arises from fear:
Identify your challenge
Find your motivation
Develop a counter-strategy
Implement your plan consistently
Evaluate your results!
If you find yourself struggling with inertia, taking this quiz can help identify your most common friction points and determine your Wayfinder type. It's a fun quiz designed not to pigeonhole you but to offer insights and inspiration, helping you recognize the friction you face and the best ways to address it.
If you intend to take the quiz, don’t procrastinate! It expires on the 10th June.
Your Turn
What strategies have you used to overcome inertia? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below. Let’s learn from each other’s journeys.
If you found this newsletter valuable, don't forget to share it with friends who might benefit from these insights.
Thank you for reading this week’s edition. Your engagement means the world to me. Stay tuned for next week’s topic, where we'll explore counter strategies for different types of friction that cause inertia.
If you do take the quiz, please share your results with me!