Three Simple Words as a Personal Compass
Thoughts on High Agency and Becoming
I recently came across the concept of high agency through George Mack's site, and it immediately resonated with me—not because the term was new, but because it finally gave shape to something I’ve long felt but hadn’t fully articulated. High agency is, in essence, the belief that you can affect change rather than passively accept the default. If something doesn’t exist, you create it. If the system is broken, you build a new one.
One idea that particularly stuck with me was the emphasis on principle-based thinking over rigid rule-following. Rules are often designed to control behavior. Principles, on the other hand, help us think. They save time, reduce decision fatigue, and leave room for interpretation and judgment. That’s probably why I’ve always preferred OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) over KPIs—they invite initiative. They don’t just measure; they motivate without taking away the agency from people.
Another theme I loved was the celebration of weird teenage hobbies. It made me reflect on something I’ve observed repeatedly in my circle: so many of my friends are multi-dimensional high performers. A lawyer who’s also a fantastic street photographer. A consultant who spent a summer studying political theory. These aren’t just hobbies—they’re alternate expressions of curiosity, depth, and talent.
I recognize that in myself too. My interests span writing, photography, art, psychology, politics, economics. It’s everywhere—and sometimes hard to explain. But these overlaps aren’t distractions; they’re intersections. They’re where real perspective is formed.
That leads me to this question: What if we stopped letting job or work define who we are? In modern society, there's this implicit belief that you should only be good at one thing—usually the thing that pays or gain reputation. But what if you could build a personal compass instead, one that reflects your actual values, curiosities, and growth directions?
That’s where I’ve been thinking of defining my own personal Compass.
This idea was inspired by Matt Gray's concept, "How I built my brand using 3 words." He picked systems, freedom, calm. I found that clear and compelling—not just as a personal brand but as a guide for daily decisions and growth. But my agency kicked in. I didn’t want to adopt someone else’s compass. I wanted to create my own.
After reflecting, I knew immediately that Analytic and Aesthetic had to be there. I’ve heard these words from others describing me, and they align deeply with how I move through the world—structured thinking, design sensitivity, a desire to understand and also to make things beautiful. To keep the rhythm and round out the three, I chose Athletic. That one felt aspirational, even a bit uncomfortable—but that’s also why I knew it belonged.
For a long time, I didn’t see myself as athletic. I loved basketball, but I never felt like I belonged with the "athletic" crowd. I didn’t even realize I had flat feet until two years ago—until then, I just thought I was naturally bad at running. Finding the right insoles made a world of difference—the pain I had long accepted began to fade. Then, just this past summer, I learned something that changed everything again: protein is essential for building muscle. ( I know, such rocket science right?) I had always assumed my body simply couldn’t gain strength easily. But once I started training consistently and paid serious attention to my diet, I saw a transformation. In just two months, I gained muscle I had never seen before.
That experience reshaped my view of what it means to be athletic. It’s not something you’re born with—it’s something you build with knowledge, effort, and consistency.
Using the Compass
The compass can be used in many ways, for example:
To make decisions: Does a new project align with at least two of my three core values? Can I apply the value to what I am working on?
To maintain balance: Am I allocating my time and effort in a balanced way? Am I missing out on some part of the compass?
To grow intentionally: How can I take each value to the next level? What challenges do I want to give myself? Set up goals and make a plan to track the progress.
This isn’t just a branding exercise. It’s a design tool—for life, not just for LinkedIn.
What About You?
If you’re reading this and feeling a bit scattered, or boxed in by your job title, try picking your three words. They don’t have to start with the same letter. They don’t need to impress anyone. They just need to reflect you.
What are the three traits, values, or directions you want to cultivate and be known for?
I’d love to hear them.