All About You — Day 11: What Do You Want?
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[For “Day 10: So Who Are You?,” click here.]
ALL ABOUT YOU — DAY 11:
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
We’ve just finished Part 1 of this “All About You!” series, which consisted of 10 days of focusing on the foundational question: Who are you? By now, you should have a pretty good idea of who you are. But, this is a process that needs constant updating because you will continue to change the closer you get to achieving your goals. Like everyone seeking to improve at anything, then when a previously difficult skill level becomes easy, we are ready to embark upon the next difficult skill level, and so on. So, welcome these changes with both arms!
Stream of consciousness brainstorming is what we are doing now. This means we are trying to access our subconscious secrets by repeating a simple question, or an incomplete sentence, over and over again to prompt one-word responses (or a short phrase at most). We jot down all the words—without any editing whatsoever—till we exhaust all possible answers. This usually takes 15 minutes.
Then, we go back and cross out any duplicate words or ideas. Next, we group the ones that sound similar (but still slightly different) and group them together. As we do this, if we decide some of these remaining words don’t really apply to us upon closer reflection, we cross those out, too (but save them as valuable for the fact that we at least thought they did at first blush). Finally, we analyze the groups to watch the patterns emerge like those crazy patterned images that look like nothing but tiny repeating shapes and colors, but, if you gaze at it long enough, there is a 3-D silhouletted image that suddenly appears as clear as if it was always there! That’s because it was! (Those things are called autostereograms, by the way.)
BRAINSTORMING EXERCISE
1. Preparation
Clear your mind of all other thoughts. If stray thoughts not related to this exercise wander into your mind, let them drift right back out of your mind without paying any special attention to it. (If you think it’s something important that you’re afraid to forget later, just jot it down quickly and let it out of your thoughts again.)
2. Let it All Flow Freely
Use paper or the computer. Whatever is more comfortable for you. Jot down or type everything. Don’t cross out or delete anything (even if you suspect you might have already recorded it). Don’t reread your answers either (or check if you already recorded it) because doing so will break the flow. Just keep going. Ask yourself the question repeatedly and write down every answer that pops into your mind.
Complete this sentence: “I want [to] [be] …”
- a. Stay in the Present
There are probably hundreds of possible answers to this question. I list below the ones that immediately came to my mind as the answers that different people might come up with. Don’t judge yourself based on your own answers. That’s not the point of this exercise. The words you choose are merely clues to help you see and start to understand the bigger picture of who you are right now, right here—as well as who you no longer are or who you would like to be but have not become yet.
- b. My Answers
“I want …”
(1) States of Existence, Traits, or Feelings:
love
joy
peace
pleasure
fun
excitement
satisfaction
justice
fairness
knowledge
wisdom
enlightenment
truth
beauty
strength
courage
hope
faith
passion
a burning desire
confidence
clarity
purpose
vision
big dreams
big goals
big ideas
big hopes
empathy
curiosity
determination
an iron will
a big heart
a bold spirit
a strong body
a mind so original that some people will think I’m crazy
(2) People, Places, and Things:
my own little home
a garden
a puppy
a kitten
a workout room
a dance room
a soundproof office
a private plane
a personal driver
a personal assistant
a great business attorney
a great tax attorney
a great accountant/CPA
a great estate planning attorney
a budget of $100/day for dining out
my boyfriend, always and forever
good friends, though they come and go
(3) Experiences and Accomplishments:
to explore life
to be innovative
to live 120 years
to realize my potential fully in all the time left
to make a lot of mistakes but never the same ones
to teach poor folks the secrets to success and happiness
to befriend all who are willing to be an equal friend to me
to write 10 world famous best-selling self help books
to be on the Oprah Winfrey and Suze Orman TV shows
to have my own TV show to teach as many as possible
to start the Easy Steps Foundation to continue this work
to start the Easy Steps to Success School for poor kids
tons more fun with my boyfriend all along the way!
- c. Other Possible Answers
“I want to be …”
free
happy
rich
famous
thin
fit
big
buff
huge
strong
healthy
fast
quick
sharp
brave
wild
crazy
raw
real
untamed
pure
true
naked
nude
bare
essential
useful
necessary
part of the solution
not part of the problem
kind
generous
compassionate
big-hearted
thoughtful
considerate
pleasant
pleasing
a pleasure to have in class
passionate
exciting
joyful
joyous
beautiful
young
youthful
firm
ripped
tight
smooth
smart
wise
keen
clever
witty
funny
humorous
intelligent
knowledgeable
skillful
adroit
dextrous
handy
useful
able
capable
efficient
competent
confident
correct
right
good
great
awesome
perfect
perfection
untouchable
infallible
never wrong
always right
admired
worshiped
respected
feared
despised
left alone
miserable
crazy
alone
at rest
retired
talented
gifted
skilled
skillful
brilliant
artistic
artsy
ageless
timeless
mysterious
mystical
mystifying
creative
cautious
careful
unfettered
flowing
sexy
adventurous
imaginative
loving
loved
envied
tolerant
forgiving
fashionable
chic
stylish
amazing
profound
useful
helpful
proud
humble
honest
true
me
clear
concise
brief
brave
fearless
daring
courageous
heroic
determined
undeterred
resolute
a rock
like water
a beacon
a lighthouse
As you can see, the possibilities are endless! From my own answers under sections 2(a), (b), and (c), above, by comparing them to my previous answers to prior exercises in this “All About You!” series, you can also see that certain patterns tend to emerge and repeat themselves. I constantly check my goals against my true self and true desires. If they are in harmony, I’m indescribably happy and excited about my life and my future. However, whenever I, for whatever reason, make decisions that lead me away from who I am or what I truly want, I get immediately unhappy and grow increasingly anxious. From past experience, I know that if I let that continue too long, I’d eventually become thoroughly depressed.
So, it’s important to use your answers to these exercises as your personal road map to keep your life moving in the right direction, in sync with your true nature and deeply felt desires. If you do, you will discover exactly what is right for you!
TO BE CONTINUED …
This is going to be an adventurous journey into our past, present, and future lives. None of us can be prepared for what we might find along the way. So, just sit back and enjoy the ride! Also, I hope at least some of you brave souls will share your answers, insights, and revelations in the comments below for everyone’s benefit!
When you’re done, collect your answers and keep them in a safe place. I recommend a diary. It makes a precious gift to someone you love, especially you!
[For “Day 12: What Are You Good At?,” click here.]
[For entire “All About You!” series, click here.]
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[For “10 Reasons to Keep a Diary,” click here.]
[For “20 Questions for Your Diary,” click here.]
[For “Requests for Cuckoo in Your Nest!,” click here.]
[For “How to Be an Extrovert,” click here.]
[For “My 10 Commandments,” click here.]
[For “Fan Your Inner Flame Till It Burns Bright,” click here.]
[For “Change Your Mindset to Change Your Life,” click here.]
