I used to end each year by following a course that helped me set goals for the next twelve months. However, by the end of 2020, it stopped working for me. The image of goals as destinations in a GPS felt alien and inhuman. This was when I began using maps to reframe my energy and desire for change in a less linear, start-with-the-end-in-mind way. In this episode of The Gentle Rebel Podcast, I build on what we explored last time and look at how seeing life laid out on maps can be much more meaningful than thinking of it as little more than a linear experience. The Map From The Atlas of Experience by Louise van Swaaij and Jean Klare The GPS is Efficient and (Generally) Accurate In contrast to GPS systems, maps stand out because they don’t dictate anything. Instead, they invite you to explore the many possibilities and make decisions based on what matters to you. You become part of the process rather than a passive follower. A GPS, on the other hand, narrows down your choices to one: the fastest, most efficient route. It thinks and chooses for you. A GPS might give you the option to avoid highways or toll roads, but you don't get much more input than that. And during the journey, you might not notice the places you’re passing or where the route is taking you. A map, however, reveals more depth and detail, and you get to see where you'll be going and decide if there are any appealing detours along the way. I’m not suggesting we abandon modern technology to plan journeys (I am VERY grateful for it). But when it comes to metaphors for life, are we aiming to cut down journey time and get to the destination as quickly as possible? Or is there more value in taking the slower, more intentional route? In this episode, I explore what we lose with a GPS mindset and what we gain by using a map to guide our personal growth and life planning. The Playful Spirit of Exploration There’s a close connection between this map metaphor and the concept of play. Playfulness isn’t driven by purpose or outcomes. It thrives on unpredictability, spontaneity, and curiosity. It doesn’t ask for a reason beyond “Just because.” When we approach life in this playful way, we can follow what feels right, move with curiosity, and trust the flow of things. But this approach can be abruptly interrupted when viewed through a GPS lens, where the questions are: What’s the point of doing that? Does this have a purpose? Is this going to be relevant for the exam? The GPS mindset is purpose-driven, always seeking usefulness and efficiency. It doesn’t always understand or appreciate the value of play. Even if it recognises the value of what we’re doing, it often critiques how we’re doing it, pushing speed and efficiency as the highest measures of worth. This voice says, “Don’t do it like that. It’s quicker this way. Trust me, you’ll save time.” Many of us have experienced frustration when someone offers unsolicited advice on being more efficient and doing things quicker. It’s not always the advice that irritates, but rather the implicit value system, which comes across as a universally applicable truth: speed = good. This highlights a clash in values, revealing that what matters to us may be less about efficiency and more about presence, quality, or the joy of the process itself. What Do We Lose With The GPS Mindset? Many goal-setting systems use the GPS metaphor, which can be helpful, but it’s worth examining what we lose when prioritising efficiency and speed above all else. The GPS mindset encourages growth that’s bigger, faster, and stronger. But why do we internalise this as the only way? Why should we grow as big as possible, as quickly as possible? When we adopt these values without question, we often lose sight of the heart of things—the core reasons why something mattered to us in the first place. This is why so many companies and services decline in quality as they scale.
