Here's some common advice: "figure out what you want, then work backwards from there."

On one hand, I think that's sometimes the most powerful advice you could give someone. The range of options and information in front of them deter them from focusing on what they really want, and then they start working aimlessly or toward a goal they never chose.

On the other hand, there are often many ways to reach the same end. Working backwards forces you to grapple with and choose between alternate paths, spending time optimizing for the best one rather than just getting to work.

I do believe that people don't spend enough time thinking about what they want out of life. But I think the hard part of thinking about what we want is that you have to be able introspect – and I mean really, deeply think – while still living life. You can't analyze your way to knowing yourself.

That's why a great sabbatical is never primarily rest, but creative activity.

So, yeah – I need to work backwards from my goals, but I also need to do lots of creative work, and eventually the two will meet in the middle.