Book excerpt: The act of self-navigation is a critical capability. It requires that you stay engaged and focused on your goal, while steering through the continuous "whitewater" of twenty-first century life. You can't do it while on autopilot; your virtual GPS will only work if it is set to a destination that you have carefully chosen. Hands-on navigation, with your eye on the compass in the midst of change and ambiguity, has become essential for success. Every decision about major issues - your education, your career, your relationships, your family life, where you choose to travel or to live - is an act of navigation that will influence the course of your entire life. In this book, you will learn how to set and follow a course that will take you as far as you want in a direction that you are capable of going. Using a "personal compass," you will understand and work with the deep values and authentic motivations that drive you while recognizing and overcoming the internal and external obstacles on your way. You will devise a practical plan to accomplish the results you dream of achieving. Whether working alone or with a coach, this book will help you become the captain of your life and career. Self-Navigation is based on a model developed by one of the co-authors that is used globally by multinational companies and leaders to help them navigate their careers, their teams, and their organizations through the complexities of the current business environment.