Some of us have an innate sense of direction. No matter where we are, we have a general idea of the direction we are facing or heading in. Some of us don’t.
No matter which category you fall in, external references are helpful. The way the environment responds to our approaches, products or personalities provides an indication of our current location.
The trap we fall in is mistaking the comment on our current position as an indication of future direction. Maps, landmarks, and compasses cannot tell us where to go. We merely use the information and feedback they provide as inputs to guide our decision making.
External references are notoriously poor at telling us what we should be or where we should go. It merely provides a temperature check for the opposite.
Identify your position. Ignore the commentary track.