Land navigation is an important skill in the military.  It takes discipline and knowledge to reach your planned designation. When using a compass, one degree off course can leave you miles off your intended destination.  This is a very important concept to understand.  The shorter the distance, the easier it is to still see where you are trying to go and make the necessary adjustments.  An example of this is walking to your mailbox.  No matter what you do, you can still see where to go.  The problem comes when the distance is so far that you can not see where you are going.  What do you think the chances would be to make it to Salt Lake City, Utah without using your GPS or a map?  Your chance is next to zero unless you have driven there before and remember the way.

A compass and map work together when used right.  Separately, they can get you close to where you want to go, but accuracy is key when every degree matters.  A compass will keep you on course and a map reassures you are in fact moving in the right direction.

These rules are true in life and in your finances.  Do not assume that you know how to get there.  It would be devastating to work so hard until age 65 and then realize that you are thousands of miles off your intended destination.  What compass are you using and do you have an up to date map?