Following the big blue arrows
I remember the first time I went into IKEA.
It was incredible, and a bit overwhelming. We walked through room after room, each welcoming and inviting. Rooms that inspired, made you feel like a different life was within reach.
Unlike other stores where you just wander around aimlessly, we were guided by a clear path through the store that took us gently through each section, one after another.
As we wound through the store, we ultimately found ourselves walking through a giant warehouse towards the checkout lines.
They guided us so expertly, we almost forgot that we didn’t chart our own path. We didn’t pick where we went or what we saw.
Have you ever felt this way in your own life?
As I became more familiar with the store, I learned about the “hidden” shortcuts, routes you could take to more directly access certain departments. So if you’re just going for a lamp or a bathmat, you can bypass the other sections and go directly there…but only if you chart your own course.
So often in life, we find ourselves walking along a path charted by someone else, just like walking through IKEA.
We find ourselves working for a specific promotion, because those around us tell us it’s the next step.
We focus on meeting or exceeding our business targets, because our bonus is based on those metrics.
We look for a house in a certain part of town, because that’s where all our friends seem to be moving.
And yet, at some point, many of us will suddenly look up and realize we never actually chose the life we’re living.
If you’ve found yourself wondering if you’re actually on the path you want to be on, consider these three steps:
Recognize that you’re on a path
Start by identifying, without judgement, the path that you’re currently on.
Perhaps you’re on a specific career progression path because that’s the one outlined by your company’s HR department. Or maybe you’ve signed up for an ultramarathon because the other people in your running club are doing it.
Consider what’s important to you
Think about what elements you want to see on your path, or for your destination.
Do you want to manage people? What values are most important for the teams that you’re on? What are the weekend activities that give you the most joy?
Consider and address the deltas
Compare the path you’re on and the things that are important to you. What differences do you see? What do you want to do about those differences?
Perhaps you know you feel professional fulfillment when you can dig deep into technical areas, but you feel you’re being pushed towards a management role. How do you reconcile the two? Maybe you see your friends buying homes in the suburbs, but you’re feeling a call towards a more nomadic lifestyle. What living situation do you want to pursue?
IKEA’s flow through the store isn’t inherently a bad thing - If you’re new to the store or curious to find something that might inspire you, it’s a great option. But if you’re shopping for something in particular, you may want to chart your own course.
When you’re considering whether you want to take a step away from the path you’re on, take time to truly see the path you’re on, consider the things that are actually important to you, and how you want to handle the differences between the two.
What comes up from you as you read this?
Should we talk?
You’re here. You want to be there. I can help.
Let’s talk. Book time, and we’ll figure out how to get you unstuck and get going.
How will you iterate towards the person you’re becoming?
July 24, 2025
About the author:
Christina Von Stroh is a leadership coach who helps her clients become wildly successful by applying iterative software development practices to achieve their dreams. Want to work with Christina to help you iterate towards the person you’re becoming?
Book your free strategy session.
