To define one’s purpose in life is not an easy or simple task. When asked to do so, people often end up producing a long list of the typical things that people think they should say.
Instead, start by fast-forwarding your life to imagine a life you would love to live, the one that fulfills all your goals and dreams. This exercise will allow you to distill your real priorities in life, as clarity regarding “the ends” drives “clarity“ now. In fact, Jeff Bezos takes quite a similar approach when he makes an important life decision based on his personal priorities. See Jeff Bezos on making a life decision while projecting himself to age 80 in this 2-minute interview:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAuNmtZ5A5Y
You have two options to complete the Part 1 mental experiment of fast-forwarding your life:
Option 1: Writing your own eulogy. If you feel that wring a eulogy causes too much strain for you, you may choose option 2.
Option 2: Writing a tribute for your 80th Birthday
Option 1: Writing Your Own Eulogy[1]. Imagine that someone close to you is giving their eulogy speech at your funeral. What will they say in their eulogy for you? A eulogy can be as long as you like or as short as you like, but it has to have enough substance and meaning that will catalyze a change. You don’t need to be a professional writer to be able to write a eulogy, but I appreciate that you might feel uncomfortable with the experience at first and have no idea where to begin. Here is how you might begin. Jot down the most memorable and transformational moments that you would love to have in your life:
What moments were your proudest?
Most challenging?
Most loving, kind or generous?
When were you most present, engaged, and essential — in what situations and settings?
What impact did your actions have on others, society, world?
How might some of these situations or outcomes have been different without you?
Take a look at what you’ve written and try to find common themes. What sorts of characteristics or traits are evident in the memories that surfaced? Select the theme that best represents the person and build upon it. Organize items by degrees of importance. Summarize your “good words,” and restate your theme.
Option 2: Writing a Tribute for Your 80th Birthday. Imagine that you are being thrown an 80th birthday party and they are going to toast you. What will they say in their tribute for you? You have no idea where to begin. Here is how you might begin. Jot down the most memorable and transformational moments that you would love to have in your life:
What moments were your proudest?
Most challenging?
Most loving, kind or generous?
When were you most present, engaged, and essential — in what situations and settings?
What impact did your actions have on others, society, world?
How might some of these situations or outcomes have been different without you?
Take a look at what you’ve written and try to find common themes. What sorts of characteristics or traits are evident in the memories that surfaced? Select the theme that best represents the person and build upon it. Organize items by degrees of importance. Summarize your “good words,” and restate your theme.
