Part 3 of a 4 part series. Part 1 explored the concept of an integrated life by understanding that “life balance” is a zero-sum game that cannot be won, and suggested the first step to discover your life purpose is to picture a personal future that inspires hope. Part 2 continued this discussion by asking if you wish to live your life by design or default and suggested that you be proactive and design your own future.
Get a start at being proactive!
Schedule time in your life to reflect on the questions below.
This exercise may take you a few hours or a few weeks. Considering printing and carrying these questions with you to increase your awareness and develop personal insights. If so inclined, a daily meditation or reflection focusing on one question each day can be very powerful. As insights begin to form jot them down in a journal.
What is my purpose?
- What is your reason for existence? Why are you on earth?
- Answer the question “why?” rather than just describing your role or your activities.
- Consider that you have a deep and noble purpose—a significant purpose—that inspires excitement and commitment, makes life and work energizing and helps you stay the course when things get tough.
When I see my future, what do I see?
- Close your eyes and visualize a picture of your future. Don’t be vague, such as “being great” be specific. Try to actually see and feel and hear what your idealized future is.
- Focus on what you want to create, not what you want to get rid of.
- Think proactive, not reactive.
- Focus on the end result, not the process for getting there.
Who do I serve? What is my constituency?
- Life is like a collection of bank accounts and each has a certain value.
- Who and what do you serve?
- You may serve people like your spouse, your children, co-workers, friends, and clients, even yourself.
- You may serve beliefs or strong values like your God, career, financial security or a commitment to community politics.
- You may serve activities like the work you do, church, physical fitness, learning or love of travel.
What do I value?
- What beliefs do you hold deeply?
- What defines what is fundamentally important in your life?
- What values do you believe you need to consistently act on to fulfill your life?
How am I uniquely talented?
- What ways of thinking, feeling or behaving bring energy to your life?
- What activities energize and strengthen you?
- What behavior patterns make you effective?
- What thought patterns make you efficient?
- What attitudes sustain your efforts toward achievement and excellence?
- What intrinsic motivations propel you to act and maintain the energy needed to achieve?
- Completing the Gallup Clifton Strength Finder is an excellent way to help you discover and define your talents.
This is the third article in a 4 part series. The next article will address how to create a personal Statement of Life Purpose.
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