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The C.O.M.P.A.S.S. Decision Tool

“Think of it less like a personality test that just reveals who you are (though self-awareness is cool!), and more like a super dynamic decision test.”

This is the scoring system from Chapter X of Island of One. Before you start, write down the decision:

Define the decision. “Start by clearly identifying a specific ‘left or right’ decision you need to make.”
The two options. “Clearly state the two choices being evaluated.” Make Choice A the new path you are considering and Choice B the path you are on now, or your other option.
Answer every card for both choices. “For each question on the card, choose the option that best reflects how Choice A aligns, and then separately, how Choice B aligns.” Seven keys, 40 questions.

The seven cards

C - Clarity (Your Plan). Consider how each choice aligns with your long-term vision and 'Thrive Plan'.
O - Ownership (Your Gifts). How does each choice allow you to leverage your unique innate gifts and the strengths forged from your past challenges?
M - Manage (Your Time). How does each choice impact your ability to master your time, prioritize effectively, and maintain work-life balance?
P - Perspective (Your Past). How does each choice allow you to reframe past setbacks into lessons and move beyond old patterns, rather than triggering old fears?
A - Acknowledge (Your Fears). Does this decision require you to confront significant fears in a healthy way, representing a courageous step forward, or is it driven by avoidance?
S - Satisfy (Your Needs). Does this choice genuinely meet your core human needs (e.g., security, connection, growth, contribution) in a healthy way, or is it driven by a fleeting 'want'?
S - Strengthen (Your Beliefs). How does this decision strengthen an empowering belief about yourself, or does it reinforce a limiting one, aligning with the truth that you are 'built to thrive'?

1. C - Clarity (Your Plan), Choice A: Does this choice offer a clear path towards your ultimate goals? Yes, it significantly accelerates my path. Not directly, but it's a step. It diverges from my clear path.

2. C - Clarity (Your Plan), Choice A: Does this choice clarify your purpose and light you up? Absolutely, it ignites my passion. Somewhat, but not entirely. It feels misaligned with my core purpose.

3. C - Clarity (Your Plan), Choice B: Does this choice offer a clear path towards your ultimate goals? Yes, it significantly accelerates my path. Not directly, but it's a step. It diverges from my clear path.

4. C - Clarity (Your Plan), Choice B: Does this choice clarify your purpose and light you up? Absolutely, it ignites my passion. Somewhat, but not entirely. It feels misaligned with my core purpose.

5. O - Ownership (Your Gifts), Choice A: Does this choice allow you to fully utilize your core strengths (e.g., creativity, problem-solving, leadership)? Yes, it's a direct application of my strongest talents. Partially, some talents will be used. Not really, it feels outside my natural strengths.

6. O - Ownership (Your Gifts), Choice A: Does this choice leverage resilience or unique insights gained from past difficulties (e.g., adapting to change, financial setbacks, overcoming criticism)? Absolutely, past challenges have perfectly prepared me for this. It might, but it's not the primary focus. It feels like it ignores or avoids lessons from my past.

7. O - Ownership (Your Gifts), Choice A: Will this path allow you to develop new skills that align with your natural aptitudes? Yes, significant and aligned skill growth is certain. Possibly, but it's not guaranteed. No, it feels stagnant in terms of personal development.

8. O - Ownership (Your Gifts), Choice B: Does this choice allow you to fully utilize your core strengths (e.g., creativity, problem-solving, leadership)? Yes, I consistently apply my best talents. Sometimes, but often I feel underutilized. No, I feel my talents are stifled here.

9. O - Ownership (Your Gifts), Choice B: Does this choice leverage resilience or unique insights gained from past difficulties? Yes, I can apply past lessons to current challenges. Only minimally; it doesn't challenge me much. It reinforces a comfort zone that avoids past lessons.

10. O - Ownership (Your Gifts), Choice B: Will this path allow you to develop new skills that align with your natural aptitudes? Yes, there are clear opportunities for aligned growth. Some minor development, but nothing significant. No, I've plateaued on this path.

11. M - Manage (Your Time), Choice A: Will this choice give you more control and flexibility over your schedule and time? Yes, I will design my ideal schedule. It will be demanding initially, but offers long-term flexibility. No, I anticipate less control and more overwhelm.

12. M - Manage (Your Time), Choice A: Does this choice align with your long-term priorities for personal well-being and relationships? Absolutely, it supports my holistic life goals. It will require careful management to balance. It feels like it will sacrifice my personal life.

13. M - Manage (Your Time), Choice A: Does this decision reduce or increase the "time robbers" (worry, want, procrastination, distractions) in your life? It empowers me to significantly reduce them. It might introduce new ones, but I'll manage. It will dramatically increase them.

14. M - Manage (Your Time), Choice B: Does this choice allow you to maintain or improve control over your schedule and time? Yes, my current schedule is predictable and manageable. It's stable, but I have limited control or flexibility. No, my time is constantly dictated by others and feels overwhelming.

15. M - Manage (Your Time), Choice B: Does this choice align with your long-term priorities for personal well-being and relationships? Yes, it provides stability for my personal life. It's adequate, but not ideal for my desired balance. It consistently compromises my personal well-being and relationships.

16. M - Manage (Your Time), Choice B: Does this decision reduce or increase the "time robbers" in your life? It helps maintain a predictable level of "noise." It has a consistent level of distractions. It continually increases my worry and procrastination.

17. P - Perspective (Your Past), Choice A: Does this choice allow you to apply hard-won lessons from past mistakes or challenges in a constructive way? Yes, it's a direct opportunity to implement past learnings. It might, but the connection isn't explicit. It feels like it could repeat past negative patterns.

18. P - Perspective (Your Past), Choice A: Does this choice empower you to challenge old narratives about your capabilities or limitations that might stem from past "failures" or criticisms? Absolutely, it's a powerful statement of moving forward. It's a new path, but doesn't directly address old narratives. It triggers strong fears of repeating past disappointments.

19. P - Perspective (Your Past), Choice A: Will this decision help you shed the weight of past regrets or resentments, transforming them into fuel for growth? Yes, it offers a fresh start and a positive redirection of energy. It’s neutral in terms of processing old emotions. It might make me dwell on what went wrong before.

20. P - Perspective (Your Past), Choice B: Does this choice allow you to apply hard-won lessons from past mistakes or challenges in a constructive way? Yes, I can apply lessons to improve my current situation. Only in a limited capacity within the existing structure. It feels like I'm stuck in a loop, not learning new lessons.

21. P - Perspective (Your Past), Choice B: Does this choice empower you to challenge old narratives about your capabilities or limitations? It offers opportunities for incremental growth within established boundaries. It maintains the status quo, neither challenging nor reinforcing old narratives. It reinforces a perceived inability to break free from comfortable patterns.

22. P - Perspective (Your Past), Choice B: Will this decision help you shed the weight of past regrets or resentments? Yes, I'm content with my past choices here. It’s a stable choice, but doesn't actively resolve past internal conflicts. It keeps me in a situation that reminds me of past compromises.

23. A - Acknowledge (Your Fears), Choice A: Does this choice directly involve confronting a major fear (e.g., fear of failure, financial insecurity, public judgment)? Yes, and I'm ready to lean into that growth. It has elements of fear, but I feel prepared. It feels overwhelmingly scary and potentially paralyzing.

24. A - Acknowledge (Your Fears), Choice A: Does this decision represent a courageous step outside your comfort zone, expanding your personal boundaries? Absolutely, it's a bold move for growth. Yes, it's a stretch, but manageable. No, it feels like a reckless leap rather than a courageous step.

25. A - Acknowledge (Your Fears), Choice A: Will this path help you "feed your faith and starve your fears" by fostering resilience and confidence? Yes, I believe it will build tremendous inner strength. It presents challenges that could test my resilience. It could amplify my existing anxieties and doubts.

26. A - Acknowledge (Your Fears), Choice B: Does this choice involve confronting a major fear, or does it primarily offer a sense of security from fear? It allows me to address fears within a controlled environment. It provides comfort and avoids confronting new fears. It's driven by a fear of the unknown or of leaving security.

27. A - Acknowledge (Your Fears), Choice B: Does this decision represent a courageous step outside your comfort zone, expanding your personal boundaries? Yes, I am actively seeking challenges on this path. It keeps me within my existing comfort zone. No, it feels like I'm stagnating out of fear of change.

28. A - Acknowledge (Your Fears), Choice B: Will this path help you "feed your faith and starve your fears" by fostering resilience and confidence? It provides a stable base to build confidence in other areas. It's a neutral choice; my confidence is stable. It subtly reinforces a fear of taking risks or pursuing ambition.

29. S - Satisfy (Your Needs), Choice A: Does this choice genuinely meet your core needs for growth, autonomy, and potential contribution? Absolutely, it aligns perfectly with these deep needs. It meets some needs, but others might be challenged. It's more of a superficial "want" than a deep need.

30. S - Satisfy (Your Needs), Choice A: Will this decision provide healthy fulfillment without relying on unhealthy habits or temporary "sugar rushes"? Yes, it's a path to sustainable, intrinsic satisfaction. It has potential for both fulfillment and new stresses. It might lead to seeking unhealthy coping mechanisms.

31. S - Satisfy (Your Needs), Choice A: Does this choice support your need for financial security and stability (even if it's a delayed gratification)? Yes, it's a calculated risk for long-term security. It introduces temporary financial uncertainty. It feels financially reckless and jeopardizes security.

32. S - Satisfy (Your Needs), Choice B: Does this choice genuinely meet your core needs for security, connection, or existing growth? Yes, it provides reliable fulfillment of these needs. It meets some needs, but others feel stagnant. No, I feel unfulfilled and my core needs are unmet here.

33. S - Satisfy (Your Needs), Choice B: Will this decision provide healthy fulfillment without relying on unhealthy habits or temporary "sugar rushes"? Yes, this path provides consistent, healthy satisfaction. It can lead to seeking external validation or escapism. I often feel the need to use unhealthy habits to cope.

34. S - Satisfy (Your Needs), Choice B: Does this choice support your need for financial security and stability? Yes, it offers strong and consistent financial security. It's financially stable, but I desire more. While stable, it doesn't align with my financial aspirations for true abundance.

35. S - Strengthen (Your Beliefs), Choice A: Does this choice reinforce the belief that you are capable of building something impactful and thriving on your own terms? Absolutely, it powerfully affirms my potential. It challenges my existing beliefs, which could be good. It triggers strong doubts about my self-worth and ability to succeed independently.

36. S - Strengthen (Your Beliefs), Choice A: Does this decision align with the core truth that you are "built to thrive" and possess everything you need within? Yes, it's a testament to my inherent design for overcoming. It's a test of that belief, but I'm willing to try. It feels like I'm acting from a place of desperation or inadequacy.

37. S - Strengthen (Your Beliefs), Choice A: Will this path help you consistently apply affirmations and act "as if" you are successful, leading to a profound internal shift? Yes, it's a perfect arena for daily belief reinforcement. It requires significant effort to maintain a positive mindset. It will constantly challenge my ability to stay positive.

38. S - Strengthen (Your Beliefs), Choice B: Does this choice reinforce the belief that you are capable of navigating your path successfully within an established structure? Yes, it affirms my competence in this environment. It maintains a neutral belief about my capabilities. It reinforces a limiting belief that I can't succeed outside this path.

39. S - Strengthen (Your Beliefs), Choice B: Does this decision align with the core truth that you are "built to thrive" and possess everything you need within? Yes, I can thrive and make an impact here. It doesn't actively push me to realize my full thriving potential. It implicitly suggests I am not capable of thriving beyond this environment.

40. S - Strengthen (Your Beliefs), Choice B: Will this path help you consistently apply affirmations and act "as if" you are successful, leading to a profound internal shift? Yes, I can reinforce empowering beliefs in this context. It's stable, but doesn't actively inspire new belief work. It leads to self-talk about missed opportunities or stagnation.