I recently learned about the concept of backstops in the context of navigation. It’s usually something marked on a map – like a trail, or a stream, or a hill – by the navigator that tells them they’ve overshot their target route. This is a fascinating concept – the navigator is deliberately picking signals that immediately give feedback about the need to turn back and get back on the optimum route. Of course, this is standard practice for any navigator in unfamiliar terrains these days.

This got me thinking whether we need to personally identify backstops in navigating our own life. Do we have well marked targets in the games we play to give us clear feedback that we’ve overshot our target and should probably stop or at least, scale back? Do you know when you should cut back on work? When is it enough to stop earning more money? When are you being over-obsessed with your health and nutrition?

Personally, I’ve never given it much thought. I do have an internal voice that turns on when I feel like I’m overshooting targets – but this voice is more vocal for me when I’m playing a seemingly (socially) unproductive game rather than a (socially) productive one. I automatically have a voice telling me to stop after a few days of partying, but that rarely happens when I’m working overtime for a few days straight.

I’m not claiming that there are any right answers here, but there’s definitely right answers for you. And in that case, every time you’re navigating unfamiliar terrain in your life, make sure you have your backstops marked, or at least give them a good thought.