Are you the captain of your own ship?

If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, be sure to check it out!

Read “Life as a Voyage”: https://en.kokoroann.com/voyage/

🌊 Are You Steering Your Own Life?

Canon 5D Mark IV

Imagine your life as a ship.

Are you the captain of your own ship?

Or has someone else taken the helm while you’ve become just a crew member?

Think about it.

• Your parents’ expectations,
• Workplace rules,
• Social media trends,
• Public opinion…

Before you know it, you might find yourself navigating with “someone else’s map.”

🔑 Without a Clear Destination, You’ll Drift Aimlessly

The most crucial thing in life’s voyage is knowing where you’re headed.

No matter how strong the storm or how unpredictable the wind, if you have a clear destination (harbor), you won’t lose your way.

But if you don’t have a destination…

No matter how hard you row, you’re just drifting at sea.

You’ll find yourself wondering,

“Am I moving forward or just floating aimlessly?”

🛠 Essential Tools for Your Voyage

Every journey at sea requires essential tools.

If we apply this to life, they might look like this:

🧭 Compass:

Your values and beliefs.

What is most important to you?

Your core values and beliefs guide your direction in life.

📜 Map: Your goals and plans

Your destination (harbor) and the route to get there.

Having a plan like, “In five years, I will achieve this” or “This month, I will do this” keeps you on track.

🍃 Wind (Weather): Environment, opportunities, and challenges

You’ll face both tailwinds (good fortune) and headwinds (adversity).

The key is having a destination—then, you can adjust your sails accordingly.

⚓️ Anchor: Rest and a safe harbor

Taking breaks is necessary.

Stopping for a while allows you to recharge and move forward with renewed energy.

📢 Where Is Your Destination (Harbor)?

Only you can decide your destination.

• Where do you want to be in five years?
• What do you want to achieve next year?
• How do you want to spend your days this month?

🏴‍☠️ It’s Time to Take Command

People who confidently say, “I am the captain of my life!” have a clear destination in mind.

If you feel like you’re just being swept along by the tide, you might still be in crew mode.

But don’t worry.

Recognizing this is “Day 1” of taking back control.

From today, you can become the captain.

🚢 Take the Helm!

You might be wondering,

“But how do I become the captain?”

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1️⃣ Check Your Compass (Values)

First, clarify what’s important to you.

👉 What do you value most? Money? Freedom? Family? Growth? Challenges? Stability?

For example:
🧭 If growth is important → Set aside time to learn new skills.
🧭 If freedom is important → Explore flexible work options.

2️⃣ Set Your Destination (Goals)

Instead of vaguely wanting a “good life,” define your goals clearly.

📍 Imagine your life five years from now:

• Where are you? Who are you with? What are you doing?
• How do you feel every day?
• What skills and experiences have you gained?

💡 Examples of destinations:
✔️ Achieve financial independence from a company job.
✔️ Turn your passion into a career.
✔️ Maintain a physically and mentally healthy lifestyle.

3️⃣ Plan Your Voyage (Route)

Once your destination is set, map out the route to get there.

🗺 Work backward from the goal:

📆 5 years → 3 years → 1 year → 6 months → This month

For example, if your goal is starting an independent career:
🔹 5 years later: Earning $10,000/month consistently.
🔹 3 years later: Earning $3,000/month from a side business.
🔹 1 year later: Making $1,000/month in side income.
🔹 6 months later: Developing skills and securing the first client.

4️⃣ Take the First Step

Even the longest journey begins with a single step.

🚀 Start today by:
✔️ Dedicating 10 minutes a day to goal-related actions.
✔️ Writing your goals down (use a notebook or an app).
✔️ Asking yourself, “Is this action bringing me closer to my destination?”

5️⃣ Overcome Storms (Challenges)

Every voyage encounters storms.

💡 The key is adaptability:

• Adjust your sails when circumstances change.
• It’s okay to pause and anchor—just don’t abandon your ship.

Where Is Your Ship Headed?

Share your destination (harbor) in the comments!

Wishing you a fantastic journey ahead! 🚢💙