Last week I visited SAIL Amsterdam, and it was truly marvelous. Seeing all those boats, each with a different story, was deeply impressive. Spending the day around them gave me time to reflect on some boat philosophy.
“If a man does not know which way he is sailing, no wind is favourable.” — Seneca
The ships I saw ranged from some of the greatest on earth to the most humble little boats. But even the finest boat is powerless without a direction—while the smallest one becomes unstoppable once it has one, given time.
Life works the same way. Without goals or purpose, we drift. We fill our days with random tasks that feel productive, but we get nowhere. First, find your purpose and set your direction. Only then open the throttle and set sail.