Previously, I asked you to spend some time meditating about the elements that would play into your ideal future – what matters most to you, how you want to spend your life, and what you want to do with the time you’re given.  Now let’s work on clarifying those elements into the vision of your ideal future.  Sort through your responses from yesterday and pick out the things that resonate most with you.  Which ones move you and make you hurt a little with wanting them so much?  Those are the ones we want to deal with – your core desires.  Some of these will probably relate to your immediate future, while others may not apply until much later in life.Let’s put your core desires on paper.  You can put them on 3×5 cards or create a journal of core desires.  The important thing is to make them tangible, and then to see how they fit in with your global life purpose.  Write down each core desire with some space around it, so for each we can determine and make note of the following:

1. What is the priority of the core desire?  Different people will prioritize differently.  For example, some would consider financial success to be paramount, but others, while agreeing that it is important, wouldn’t say they “absolutely must” achieve it.  Rate each of your core desires as follows:

A – Highest priority – you absolutely have to achieve this.

B – Priorities – these desires tap into your passions.

C – Average desires – important, but not critical to your life purpose.

D – Below average – low priority desires.

O – Obligation – what you think you ought to do or want

1. Now think about whether each core desire has to do with “having,” “doing” or “being” and write that down.  “Having” might include a certain amount in retirement funds.  “Doing” might be traveling before you’re too old to appreciate it.  “Being” might include being a loving parent or friend.
2. Make a note of when you might like to achieve the core desire.  If you don’t know, spend a few trying to come up with your best guess of when it will fit into your life.
3. Now, remember the elements that play into your self actualization?  Make a note of which each core desire fits into:
   1. Self
   2. Partner
   3. Family
   4. Friends
   5. Community
   6. Career & Finances
   7. Living Environment
   8. Health and Recreation
   9. Write the names of people who need to be involved in helping you achieve the desire.  For example, your spouse and you need to cooperate on parenting and financial goals.

Later, we’ll work on solidifying your vision even more, until it’s so solid and tangible that you’ll be able to feel your self actualization between your fingertips.

Roger K. Allen, Ph.D. is an expert in personal transformation, leadership, and teams. His tools and methods have helped hundreds of businesses and tens of thousands of people transform the ways they work and live. To learn more, visit www.rogerkallen.com.