This post is part of the Drift 101 series—simple, real-world introductions to the building blocks of The Drift Method.

Last time, we explored Flows—living containers that help you keep your work in motion without burning out. But what keeps your work pointed in the right direction, even when life changes or the path ahead isn’t clear?

That’s where Beacons come in.

In this post, I’ll share how Beacons help me set direction without locking myself into rigid plans, how they keep my work and life oriented toward what matters, and how you can use them to add purpose and clarity—without the pressure of traditional goals.

1. When traditional goals get in the way

Have you ever set a goal that later felt irrelevant (or even constraining)?

You’re not alone. I’ve been there too.

I’d set a “SMART” goal, only to find that as the project or season changed, the goal started to feel less like a guide and more like a burden.

A lot of traditional goals are great on paper, but real life isn’t static. When you’re building, creating, or just moving through a season of change, things shift. What made sense at the start can quickly become outdated or even get in the way of discovery and progress.

I’ve found that outcome-based goals, especially the ones that are highly specific or time-bound, tend to create pressure. They set expectations that don’t always fit the reality of how creative work (or life) actually unfolds. Instead of clarity, they can create a sense of failure or a reluctance to adapt, even when adaptation is exactly what’s needed.

So much of making things is about constant discovery and orientation. If you lock yourself into a rigid outcome too early, you risk missing out on what actually wants to emerge.

2. What a Beacon is (and what it isn’t)

So, what is a Beacon in Drift?

A Beacon isn’t just a goal or an outcome. It’s a directional anchor—a guiding star that you can move toward, even as the landscape shifts. Beacons are:

  • Directional, not definitive: They point the way, but don’t demand you walk a straight line.
  • Anchored in values, not just metrics: They’re about what matters most, not just what’s measurable.
  • Light to carry, easy to return to: You don’t have to “hit” a Beacon, you just orient toward it.

If you’re used to traditional goal-setting, think of a Beacon as the value or quality underneath your goals.

Instead of “Go to the gym 6 times a week,” a Beacon might be “Build and maintain strong physical health.” The specific actions can change with your season of life, but the underlying direction stays the same.

Beacons invite you to ask, “Who do I want to be? What kind of life do I want to nurture?” They’re about orientation, not just achievement.

A few of my own Beacons

  • Build and maintain strong physical health: This might take shape through Flows around strength training, walks, yoga, eating well, and so on—whatever fits the season.
  • Cultivate community and connection: I check in regularly—am I spending my energy in ways that help me belong and connect?
  • Foster curiosity: I orient projects and flows around learning and exploration, not just outcomes.

Beacons allow me to step back and see whether my day-to-day work is actually supporting the kind of life I want to build. They’re flexible enough to adapt as my circumstances or values shift.

3. How Beacons create orientation (not pressure)

Plans and goals give us the next thing to achieve. Beacons give us a desired state to grow into—a kind of “north star” for the ongoing journey.

I find this useful constantly, and especially in seasons of transition or difficulty. When I can’t do what I originally planned—say, heavy strength training at the gym—I can still move toward my Beacon of physical health by walking, stretching, or eating well. The direction stays the same, even when the path changes.

Beacons also help me say no to things that don’t serve my bigger picture. If connection is a Beacon, I’m more likely to choose the option that brings me into community, even if it’s less convenient or familiar.

I don’t need a rigid plan for every situation, I just need a gentle reminder of what matters most.

Beacons give movement meaning, not pressure. They help me check in: “Are my actions aligned with the life I want to live?” If not, I can adjust, without guilt.

4. Setting and using Beacons

Here’s how I set Beacons in practice:

  1. Reverse engineer from your goals: Look at your existing goals, habits, or KPIs. Ask, “What value or quality am I really after?”
  2. Start with your values: What do you want more of in your life? What feels alive, virtuous, or meaningful?
  3. Phrase your Beacon as a direction, not a destination: “Cultivate curiosity” or “Support financial stability” is more useful than “Read 12 books” or “Save $1,000.”

I usually hold 1–3 Beacons per Flow. If a Flow has zero Beacons, it’s a sign to reflect: “Is this Flow actually supporting anything I care about?” Even necessary Flows (like taxes or admin) can connect to Beacons like stability or freedom.

Beacons shape everything else in Drift. Flows move you toward them. Steps are the small moves in their direction. Kits, Notes, and Views support your progress along the way. Beacons keep the big picture visible, so the details have context.

5. When Beacons become goals again

It’s rare now for my Beacons to get too rigid but it can happen, especially if I slip back into outcome-thinking.

If a Beacon starts to feel like a checklist or a burden, that’s a sign it’s become too much like a goal. In that case, I’ll reframe it as a Waypoint (a milestone within a Flow), or ask myself what value is really underneath the outcome I’m chasing.

Beacons are meant to evolve. If one no longer resonates, I check in: Where has my intention shifted? What matters now? Sometimes the Beacon transforms, sometimes it fades away.

That’s okay—life changes, and so should your orientation.

If you’re trying to set meaningful direction without falling into old productivity patterns, start by asking: “What kind of life do I want to build? What values do I want to nurture?”

You don’t have to get rid of goals entirely. But with Beacons, you can let direction lead, and let the details follow.

Beacons are guide stars, not finish lines

You don’t need a rigid plan to move with purpose. You just need gentle guide stars—Beacons—to help you orient, adjust, and grow as life shifts.

Beacons are how I stay aligned with what matters, even when the path isn’t clear. They help me move through complexity with clarity, intention, and a little more grace.

If you’re ready to try this for yourself, start by naming one Beacon—just a phrase that lights you up. Let it guide your next week, and see how the direction feels.

Next up in Drift 101: Subflows—how to break down big efforts into smaller, manageable streams that keep your work moving with clarity and ease.

Want to try this for yourself? Download the free Drift Method Starter Guide to get started with the basics and build your first Flow.