Magnetic Variation and Personal Values

Did you know there is more than one NORTH? I discovered this before I started sailing thanks to hill-walking. It took a map-reading lesson and hours and miles of hiking to really understand what the difference between true north, grid north and magnetic north So what is magnetic variation? Simply, it is the difference in degrees and minutes between true north and the chart.

How we use magnetic variation on land and at sea is the same, [which for the record, made my sailing application so much quicker and easier to understand] and it got me thinking about constants – that shift – on our personal journey; Hello Personal Values!

True North – Grid North = My Values?

So every compass has a magnetic needle that points to the Earth’s magnetic north. The chart has the compass rose and it’s north indicates the grid north of the chart. The reason we need more maths, is because the difference will vary depending where in the planet you are! That resonated with me on my self development and personal growth. I think it can for you too, so read on…

Think of the most helpful person you know. The most honest, generous, empathetic. We all know Someone in our lives who stands out in a particular way. Why does this happen? These individuals stand out because of their strong values. I learnt that there are two type of values: cultural and personal values.

Our personal values are the beliefs, the fundamental beliefs, that represent our magnetic north. Your values influence your decisions on EVERYTHING! Your values are personal to you, they help you determine what you identify what is right and wrong, how we treat ourselves and others; in short they are the filter we use to see the world from our perspective. Like true north it is invisible, but the impact is undeniable, like gravity!

The cultural values are handed down to us. They are the values accepted in the society we grow up in, and as children we typically pick these up from loved one and the groups we are in. A group value, for example could be your religious values. You are religion [insert your religion here] because you grew up surrounded by [insert the collective for your religion].

Your principals, i.e. Personal and Cultural values, are yours alone, they vary by place and context, [as we we are all in different places and in different situations], it subtly influences your course minute by minute, and so, knowing and understanding YOUR VALUES, cultural and personal is as essential as knowing and understanding compass variation.

Values Waypoint

Alignment with true north will guide us with more accuracy as we continue on our course to the person we want to be. Did you know that for every 1 degree you veer off course, you end-up 1 mile away from your destination for every 60 miles you sail!

THAT means:

• a) rationing – you are in scarcity because you are travelling for longer [and unless you have the means to parachute in supplies you are on your own],
• b) harder work is required because you have lost the advantage of you planned and optimised route and are not where you want to be or expect to be,
• c) potential hazards ahead especially if you haven’t planned for it and the moral of the story..

– it comes at a greater cost to YOU! Your time, your finances, your relationships, your leadership, your location relative to your dreams!

As much as this voyage is an adventure, it is also an expedition of exploration and discovery! That means we need to establish where we are, and where [ or rather ] who we want to be!

Start to think about your values, your beliefs, what is good and what is bad, which ones are personal and which ones are cultural? I help my clients get clarity surrounding their values, and I could help you too. If you would like to connect #GMA_Waypoint in the comments. I would love to know your thoughts and your values, so comment below.

Thank you for stopping by today to discover why variation is as unique as you and why understanding it will change the way we navigate our personal-growth, transformation and importantly keep us on course.

Fair winds, KAxx