Throughout August, we’ve been working on exercises to help you create a long-term vision for your life.  We started by focusing on identifying your “Core Values” and then had you think about “27 Things I Want to Do Before I Die.” This week, we’re going to zero in on your life’s purpose.  Yes, this is deep stuff.  But you need to dig deep if you’re going to create a vision that inspires and motivates you to be the best version of yourself.

Find a quiet space, review the questions below, and make some notes for yourself.  Think about these questions from all aspects of your life – work, family, friends, faith, service, community, etc.  If you are struggling with finding the words, you could gather some pictures (electronic or physical) that represent your responses.

1. What do you want to remain or continue as a result of being on this earth, working, engaging in relationships with others, and contributing to society? What do you want your legacy in life to be?
2. What are you most committed to in life?
3. Recall a high-point experience in your life – a time when you were excited, felt the most alive, and deeply engaged in a meaningful way. What made that such a high point experience for you?  What impact did that experience have on others?
4. What impact or contribution have you made by being who you are?
5. If you could accomplish anything, assuming that you had the skills and resources to do so, what additional impact or contribution do you want to make?

These questions can be daunting.  Give yourself breaks and revisit them over the next few weeks to continue working through them and evolving your answers.  Think about how your responses to these questions overlap with your “Core Values” and the “27 Things I Want to Do Before I Die” exercises from the previous week’s newsletters.  What patterns are starting to emerge?  Guess what, you are beginning to formulate your long-term vision!  Next week we’ll work on putting all of this together!

Wishing you the best!

Amy