Clarifying your life purpose is a team effort between your rational and intuitive minds. The following exercise is an effective way to combine these two powerful resources to help you move forward toward a "life on purpose." Engaging in the following questions utilizes your memory and your rational nature to prime the pump, making it easier to access the intuitive or creative nature. Write down your responses in a journal, adding whatever comes to you as you are writing. Asking people who know and support you what they see about you in regards to these questions will add grist to the mill.

" What do you love to do? When have you felt most alive, excited, in love with life? What were you doing during those moments? Who were you with? Ask people who know you when they've noticed you most alive and enthusiastic.

" What kind of people do you love to be with? Answer this both specifically (specific people) and in general (types of people you enjoy). What are some of the things you could do in your life that would give you the opportunity to spend more time with these people?

" If money, time, energy, and talent were unlimited, what would you do with your life and who would you be? If it's difficult to imagine any of these being unlimited, make a note of this. Then, let go of that concern and continue the exercise.

" Who are some people that you greatly admire? These may be celebrities, people from history, family members, or friends. What is it about them that you admire? Is it a way of being, or a set of values, or what they do in life? Be as specific as you can.

" What values are most important to you? It's important to distinguish between the values you think you should feel are important and the ones you choose of your own free will.

2003 Brad Swift of Life On Purpose Institute, Inc. This article can be reprinted freely online, as long as the entire article and this resource box are included.