π― The Drift Test
The direction of your life is shaped by small choices repeated over time.
Read time: 3.8 minutes
Welcome to Better at Life, the weekly newsletter where I share one simple, actionable idea you can put into practice today to build better habits, sharpen your mindset, and live with more intention.
Have you ever looked back and wondered,
“How did I get here?”
Maybe your calendar became so full you stopped making time for the people you care about.
Maybe work slowly replaced hobbies you once loved.
Maybe your phone started filling the quiet moments that used to belong to your thoughts.
None of those changes happened overnight.
They happened gradually.
One small decision at a time.
That’s the thing about drift.
You rarely notice it while it’s happening.
A ship doesn’t end up miles off course because of one dramatic turn.
It gets there because of tiny adjustments that, over time, change its direction.
Our lives work the same way.
We don’t usually wake up burned out.
Disconnected.
Unhealthy.
Or distracted.
We drift there.
I call this The Drift Test.
A simple way to check whether your daily choices are taking you where you actually want to go.
Write this down:
Your future isn’t shaped by today’s intentions. It’s shaped by today’s direction.
This Week’s Action
Choose one area of your life.
Your health.
Your relationships.
Your work.
Your finances.
Then ask yourself one question:
If I kept living exactly like this for the next three years, where would I end up?
Don’t answer based on your hopes.
Answer based on your current habits.
The answer may feel encouraging.
Or uncomfortable.
Either way, it’s valuable.
Because direction matters more than speed.
Why This Works
Our brains naturally focus on today.
Today’s deadline.
Today’s workout.
Today’s meeting.
But meaningful change rarely comes from one day.
It comes from patterns.
The Drift Test zooms out.
Instead of asking whether today was perfect, it asks whether your current trajectory is leading somewhere you actually want to go.
Small course corrections made early are almost always easier than dramatic changes later.
Try This
At the end of the week, look back at your calendar.
Not your intentions.
Your calendar.
It tells the truth about where your time went.
Ask yourself:
If every week looked like this one, would I be proud of where I’d end up?
If the answer is no, don’t overhaul your life.
Adjust the direction.
One degree is enough.
Weekly Reflection
Before you move on from this email, pause for a moment.
Ask yourself:
Where am I drifting without realizing it?
What habit is quietly shaping my future?
What’s one small course correction I can make this week?
Write it down.
Then make the adjustment before the drift becomes your destination.
If this idea feels useful, feel free to pass it along to someone who might need it this week.
You don’t need a completely different life.
Sometimes you just need a slightly different direction.
See you next week β a little better at life.
______
Dr. Chris Mullen
Bring Better at Life to Your Organization
If these ideas resonate, this is also the work I bring into organizations and leadership teams.
I partner with organizations that want clearer thinking, stronger decision-making, and more sustainable performance.
Engagements typically include:
- Keynote speakingΒ for conferences and leadership events
- Leadership development workshopsΒ for teams and managers
- Team strategy sessionsΒ focused on alignment and execution
For senior leaders seeking deeper application, I also maintain a small executive coaching practice.
