© 2013 Continuity Consulting

Using a separate sheet of paper, list everything you can think of that causes you anger, stress, frustration, fear, hatred, embarrassment, dissatisfaction – whatever it is that you DO NOT want in your life. 1

Now go back over your list, thinking carefully about each item. Notice your feelings, your sense of importance about each one. Circle no more than 5 or 6 items that are the most important NOT to have in your life.

2

Now take some time to list everything that you DO want in your life. Look at what your deepest don’t-wants tell you about what you really do want. Focus on what makes you feel happy, fulfilled, satisfied, motivated, and energized. Avoid the superficial and the material and go for the deeply satisfying, profoundly rewarding life experiences. Again, don’t think too much about it, and write as many as you can.

1

Go back over your list, thinking carefully about each item. Again, notice your feelings, your sense of importance about each one. Circle no more than 5 or 6 items that are the most important to you. Look over the items and rank them from the most important to the least.

2

Write a short statement – a phrase, a sentence, a couple of sentences at most – expressing the essence of what you want your life to be about. Afterwards, when you consider what you wrote, you should feel energized, enthused, and a renewed sense of commitment. If you don’t feel it, don’t worry. You just aren’t there yet. Keep working on it.

My Primary Aim is...

(my mission, my purpose, my definition of success, my reason for existence)