HIGHLIGHT
When I was fourteen, my mother said the most crippling words I’d ever heard up to that point. To make it worse, she said them while I was writhing in pain on a hospital bed, waiting for a doctor after being rushed to the ER. As I twisted and turned, I locked eyes with her at my bedside, and she said:
“Dario, you are not normal. And the sooner you realize that, the better life will go for you.”
At the time, I was battling a complication caused by sickle cell anemia called avascular necrosis in my left hip. But I had refused to accept my reality or adjust my lifestyle. The reason I was in the hospital that day was simple: I was stubborn. Instead of staying home to rest, I had snuck out to play football—a decision that caused the socket of my overburdened right hip to break as it tried to compensate for the failing left.
However, what my mother’s words broke that day wasn’t my spirit—it was the false expectations I had placed on myself to “keep up” with others. She told me the truth: I wasn’t normal. I wouldn’t be able to live like everyone else. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t be great. It just meant I had to stop playing their game and start creating my own.
I’ve been playing my own game ever since!
INSIGHT: THE COMPASS AND THE CLOCK
Like me, some of you might find yourselves at a crossroads. Maybe you’re still trying to keep up with others, forcing yourself to play a game that wasn’t designed for you. Or perhaps you’ve already made the bold decision to stop playing their game and start creating your own.
Either way, here’s a principle that has been a cornerstone in my journey: The Compass and the Clock.
You might have heard of it before, but let me share how this concept helped me realign my life—and how it could help you, too.
To live a life of purpose and intentional design, you need to stay conscious of two key elements: your compass and your clock.
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The Compass: This represents your direction. It’s guided by your vision, mission, and values—the things that define your “true north.” It ensures you’re heading where you truly want to go.
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The Clock: This represents your decisions in the moment. It’s shaped by your plans, processes, and commitment to progress. It ensures you’re using your time wisely and staying effective and efficient.
Think of it this way:
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The compass sets the strategy—the “why” and “where” of your journey.
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The clock organizes the schedule—the “how” and “when” to move forward.
These two elements must work together. A clear compass without a functioning clock leads to aimless wandering. A precise clock without a clear compass leads to busy work that doesn’t align with your purpose.
IGNITE
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Define Your Compass: Take time to clarify your vision, mission, and values. Ask yourself: Where do I truly want to go? What drives me?
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Master Your Clock: Align your daily schedule and tasks with your compass. Prioritize activities that move you closer to your goals.
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Check for Alignment: Regularly pause to ask: Is what I’m doing today taking me in the right direction?
The Compass and the Clock principle ensures you stay the course—not someone else’s course, but your own. Just as I learned to create my own game, this concept can help you craft a life aligned with your unique purpose.
