When we find ourselves veering off course from our original plans, our instinct is often to view this drift as a problem to be fixed — the sooner, the better. We scramble to get “back on track,” treating any deviation as wasted time and energy.
But what if drift isn’t simply a detour from productivity? What if it offers value that couldn’t be found on the direct path?
In last week’s Pulse, Steve and I explored how drift can be a gift when it reveals new paths that better align with who we are. This week, I want to consider how drift can be valuable even when our original destination remains our goal.
Even when the drift arc has carried you further from a goal that remains your true north, the journey itself might have provided crucial benefits. Perhaps you’ve gained a new perspective that validates your original direction. Maybe you’ve acquired unexpected skills or insights that will make your eventual arrival more impactful. Or possibly you’ve discovered weaknesses in your original plan that needed addressing before you could truly succeed.
Like this week’s time change that Charlie called a “week-sized project,” drift requires its own adjustment period — not just immediate redirection. The energy we spend in frantic course correction without first pausing to understand what the drift is telling us often creates more waste than the drift itself.
Whether your drift is signaling a needed change in direction or simply a temporary detour on your existing path, the most efficient response begins with the same step: a thoughtful pause to assess not just where you are, but what you’ve learned while getting there.
By recognizing the potential value in these unplanned journeys, we transform what might feel like wasted time into an investment in better navigation going forward. After all, sometimes you have to drift a bit to truly understand the currents you’re sailing in.
~Maghan
A prompt to pause and reflect.
Think about a recent instance where you drifted from your intended course but still want to reach your original destination. What unexpected insights, skills, or perspectives have you gained during this detour that might actually help you better achieve your goal?
We’d love to hear what’s coming up for you.
Discovering the hidden value in your detours requires more than just recognizing you’ve drifted — it means intentionally extracting insights from the journey. Our Productivity Coaching helps you:
Transform what seems like “wasted time” into valuable intelligence about your work patterns
Develop a strategic pause practice to assess what your drift is really telling you
Create frameworks to apply unexpected learnings to your original goals
Build confidence in navigating the natural drift arcs that occur in any meaningful work
I (Maghan) currently have a few coaching openings available for Spring 2025. If you’ve been feeling off course and need help finding your way forward, I’d love to connect and see how we might work together.
This month’s sessions explore drift — how to recognize when you’re veering off course and strategies to realign with what matters most:
Paid subscribers get access to both these calls each month, plus the whole replay, notes, and extras. Free subscribers, consider upgrading your subscription to get access to the full replay and invitations to attend live next month!