Engage in a rigorous methodology to discover your life’s purpose by identifying your core values, understanding your aptitudes (cognitive wiring and personality), and exploring economically viable interests.
Frequently ask yourself, “Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing? Am I doing what I want to be doing? And with the people with whom I want to be doing it?” to ensure you are living by design, not default.
Focus on discovering and living your purpose, as happiness is often a byproduct of a meaningful, productive, and connected life, rather than a goal to be chased directly.
Clearly identify your deeply held beliefs that drive your actions and decisions, as knowing your values is fundamental to understanding yourself and living authentically.
Explore and rank the 15 core values (scope, radius, family centrism, belonging, cosmos, agency, beholderism, non-sibi, work centrism, affluence, achievement, luminance, voice, eudaimonia, place) to understand what truly matters to you.
Take “The Values Bridge” online test (thevaluesbridge.com) to gain clarity and specificity on your personal ranking of the 15 core values, which can be transformative for self-understanding.
Assess the variance between your identified values and how closely you are currently living them, as this data is crucial for understanding your authenticity and purpose.
Identify your cognitive wiring (e.g., generalist vs. specialist) and how your personality is experienced by the world, to align your work with your natural strengths.
Use tools like PI360.com to gather anonymous feedback from others on how your personality is experienced by the world, to gain self-awareness and identify areas for change.
Consider taking a test like YouScience.com to get a clear read on your cognitive aptitudes, helping you understand how your brain is wired and identify suitable work.
Strive to choose work that aligns with your natural aptitudes and personality, as working in concert with them is generally more comfortable, enjoyable, and emotionally successful.
Expand your understanding of the vast array of industries and job types available beyond common perceptions, to avoid prematurely limiting your career options and discover new economically viable interests.
While knowing your passions is important, ensure they are combined with your aptitudes (what you’re good at) to avoid setting yourself up for failure and to increase the likelihood of success and fulfillment.
Write a six-word memoir summarizing your life to date, then envision your ideal life 25 years from now and write a six-word memoir for that future, comparing the two to reveal unlived dreams and surface core values.
When envisioning your ideal future, allow yourself to be the author and imagine without self-editing, as the world will provide enough external edits; focus first on discovering your heart’s true desires.
Encourage partners to take the values test to understand the harmony or conflict in your shared values, which can be a key factor in relationship dynamics and authenticity.
Prioritize and nurture the quality of your relationships across all aspects of your life (personal and professional), as they are a critical factor for long-term success, alongside good ideas and execution.
Continuously ask “What should I do with my life?” throughout all stages of life, from young adulthood to retirement, as it is the ongoing work of our lives and not just for young people.
If tests are not feasible or preferred, use the guided exercises provided in the “Becoming You” book, which can be done with just a pen and paper to explore values, aptitudes, and interests.