To make the most of the Purposeful Living Exercise, you possibly need to print it out and consider setting aside some time, contemplating in depth the answers to these questions. Maybe spend an afternoon in the park, at the beach, in the bush, alone at home listening to beautiful music. Reflecting, writing, discovering who you are and what makes for a purposeful life for you.
Step 1 of your Purposeful Living Exercise
What is the Legacy You Would Like to Leave?
Imagining you are on your deathbed, write the answers to these questions
What I most want to be remembered for is....
What I most want to contribute in my lifetime is ...
What I most want out of life is ...
The things that I do (or would like to do) that give me a sense of fulfilment are ...
If I were to die tomorrow and I was able to look down on the people attending my funeral, the things I would most like to hear them say about me are: (the qualities/characteristics you hold most dear)
What are the global issues/topics/situations that regularly grab your attention:
If I were asked to create a t.v special about something that moves me what would it be about?
If I were to start an organization tomorrow to solve a need, what would it be?
What excites me in the world? What three things about this would I like to share with the world?
What angers me about the world? If I could get a message to the world about the three things that anger me, what would that message be?
How would I use a gift of ten million dollars if it had to be given away or designated for a cause, issue or problem that moves me?
Once you've completed the answers to these questions you may start to find some themes emerging and you will begin to have a feel for the legacy you want to leave.
For example for me it is very strongly about personal growth, developing people's potential and helping them to connect to their higher power. For others it may be something to do with the environment, or animals, or technology. Each of us has a particular area that regularly captures our attention and our imagination.
Click here to return to Personal Mission Development Page
Step 2 of your Purposeful Living Exercise
What's Your Talents/Passon/Strengths/Values?
Specifically my unique skills, knowledge, talents and gifts are ...
The magazines that intrigue me most at a news-stand are ...? The sections or articles most catch my attention are ... ?
I am naturally drawn to the ....... sections when I walk into a book-store or library?
If I were to return to study tomorrow, purely for pleasure, I'd study ...
The things that I do (or would like to do) that give me a sense of fulfillment are ...
When I feel inspired and/or I am inspiring others, I am normally doing ...
The activities I value most in my personal life are ...
The activities I value most in my business life are ...
In the second half of step two we are going to take a look at your strengths and values. There are two paths you can choose from. One is to complete the TruValues self-assessment.
Or you can use the Signature Strengths survey which was developed by Chris Petersen and Marty Seligman. Go to this website Authentic Happiness there are many free surveys on the site - the one in particular that you want is the VIA Signature Strengths - which appears approximately in the middle at the top of the page.
Petersen and Seligman spent many years researching signature strengths and what helps people live a fulfilled life, this excellent work is documented in their book"Character Strengths & Virtues".
Seligman and Petersen encourage you to make use of each and every day in as many settings of your life as possible: work, play, family.
Whichever way you choose to develop your values list - keep the list to less than 7 core values.
Click here to return to Personal Mission Development Page
Step 3 of your Purposeful Living Exercise
Identifying Your Soul's Lessons
Cast your mind back ...
My biggest challenges in life have been ...
They have (or could have) made me stronger/wiser by ...
What I discovered about myself because of these challenges are ...
I have turned these situations into empowering events by ...
The things/events/people/circumstances that have been recurring themes in my life that have caused me to struggle are ...
The things/events/circumstances that I know are disempowering me in some way are ...
The things/events/people/circumstances that have been recurring themes in my life that I have been uniquely gifted at are ...
You may want to spend more time thinking about this over the coming weeks and keep a tab on the recurring events/circumstances in your day-to-day life. Now that your awareness has been heightened, don't be too surprised if universe sends you a small challenge just to see if you are getting your lesson.
I certainly hope the Purposeful Living Exercise has been useful to you and set you on the journey of living a fulfilled life.
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