These days, I’m really loving the word “trajectory.” It reminds me of a quote I once heard from Tim Ferris, where he said, “The question you should be asking isn’t ‘what do I want’ or ‘what are my goals,’ but ‘what would excite me?’” That really hit home.

Think about it—when you have a positive trajectory in life, everything seems to flow better. You wake up each day excited, ready to tackle new challenges and grow. It’s exhilarating to know that you’re moving upward, improving, and evolving. On the flip side, when things start to spiral downward, it gets tough. It’s no fun being an “8 or 9” when you’re on the way down, right? I’d much rather be a 5 or 6 climbing upward than on a downward slope. The more you fixate on decline, the faster it happens. And trust me, pulling yourself out of a negative spiral is not easy.

How do you make sure your trajectory is heading in the right direction?

It starts with an honest evaluation of your life. Ask yourself: Are you on the way up or down in different areas—your relationships, your career, your physical and mental health? If you’re in a stagnant job, it might be time to make a change toward something more fulfilling. If a relationship feels stale, maybe it’s time to fix it or move on. Living in multiple areas of downward trajectory is a recipe for unhappiness.

The key is to align your efforts with your values and focus on growth in areas that excite you. Whether it’s learning a new skill, like public speaking or dancing, starting a business, becoming a more engaged partner, or even picking up a new sport like pickleball—find something that lights you up.

For me, that area is running. As a former sprinter, I had to face the reality that I wasn’t going to get faster with age—in fact, I was more likely to get injured! My trajectory in sprinting was going down. But then I discovered distance running, and it’s been a game changer. It’s a sport better suited to my age and body, and I’m able to improve with almost every run. It feels incredible to be getting better each time I hit the road.  The trajectory has gone so far that I’m now running this year’s New York City Marathon and raising money for Classroom Champions.

Lastly, it’s crucial to ensure your goals align with what you truly want. As Chris Williamson says, “Going from what you think you want and moving to purposefully choosing what you want to want is a big move.” Make sure the ladder you’re climbing is leaning against the right wall, or you’ll find yourself halfway up only to realize it’s not what you wanted after all.

Keep thinking big, stay excited about where you’re headed, and always strive for that positive trajectory.

Let’s keep growing!

Jason Zaran
Fit Kitchen Owner