Getting clear on your bottom-line is a critical step, not to be overlooked. These are the things we wished we prioritized. This step entails making 3 lists — these are things that matter most to you and bring you energy. After you make the lists, it is time to bring in your superpowers of attention & intention. That means you focus on making these things happen. Again, and again, and again. You want happiness? You want a sense of meaning and fulfillment? Make these lists and make your life about them.

Try it:

1) Your Basic Needs:

What are your basic needs? I’m talking about the things you need in your life, brass-tax, to allow you to feel resourced and up for your life. Like sleep. How many hours are your ideal? Frequency & types of food? Movement? Nature? Time to yourself? You get the drift. These are part of your non-negotiables. Once you have your list, use it to set boundaries. Let these guide what you say yes or no to (including tasks at work &/or a specific job). And if you make a decision that supersedes this list, ask yourself what the trade-off is in the short and long-term. Is it worth it to you?

2) What your life looks like:

It’s time to day-dream. What do you want your life to look like? What is your desired future? No one else is going to read this list, so go for it, no limitations. No, “ya-buts!” I encourage you to do this journaling in 2 or 3 different sittings. I always find, with each new sitting, your dreams expand and get more detailed. Let it all fly — what does a typical day look like? What fills your weeks, months that make you love your life? Who do you see most often? Consider these categories: career, social, learning/growth, physical, spiritual, home, lifestyle, self, financial.

3) How do you want to feel?

Savvy marketers and politicians all know that human actions are based on emotion and not logic. That’s why we click, that’s why we buy, that’s why we vote. So, why don’t we let our emotions guide our actions on purpose!? This list may seem a little vague and intangible, but I am inviting you to imagine that you are working at the intersection of your values, strengths and passions from Step 1. Really let yourself imagine it as if it’s happening right now. Go ahead, no one is watching….imagine what it would be like to be completely in alignment and living your values. Imagine showing up every day at work seeing the results of your unique abilities in complete flow. And imagine doing these things on a subject or issue area that you are truly passionate about. Once you have that full-body image, I want you to name the emotions you feel. Yup, what does it ‘feel’ like when you are living at the center of your values, strengths & passions?

I know this section is really long. But, I cannot emphasize this enough. If you only do one thing from this entire list of steps, this is what you should to make your future more of what you actually want. Grab 3 few sticky notes. Write down the top 3 feelings you want to feel on each sticky note. Slap one on your computer monitor. Put another on or inside your bathroom mirror. And put the other on your bedside table. Now…every time you see one of those sticky notes, pause, take a deep breath and imagine what it feels like to feel the first feeling on the list. Take a second breath and imagine what if feels like to feel the second feeling on the list. And take a third breath, feeling into that third feeling.

By doing this ‘feel-it’ exercise, many, many times a day, you will be closing the gap between what you want and your current experience. (personal guarantee: this was key to me finding my freedom, growth & joy!)