How to find out what you’re born to do

“What were you born to do?”

That was the question I asked myself when I launched what I called ‘The Curriculum of ME’ a year ago.  I was at a juncture, Life Part I was complete and Life Part II, (defined as kid grown and launched) was underway.

I started by doing a review.

Life Part I – fulfilling and action packed. I became a mother at age 34. My life (and adventures) with Kelly are among the richest of my life.  I have never experienced such profound love nor seen my strengths and weaknesses so clearly.  I enjoyed a wonderful career that offered much satisfaction, many detours and more opportunities that I ever could have imagined.

Life Part II – what’s next? I want to make sure this passage has the richness and depth of Life Part I. I want to use my gifts to serve and give in the highest possible way. I want to continue to grow and evolve. I want my time here to matter. I want to leave a legacy of contribution. I want to make sure I am doing what I was born to do!

While the Curriculum of ME is too long to include in this post, here are some excerpts.

ASK – What are my strengths?  I wrote down what I thought were my greatest strengths and then asked 4 people who know me well to do the same. The results were interesting. What I learned is that we do not see ourselves objectively. Sometimes we miss what is most obvious.

ASK – What are my passions? These 20 questions quided me.

RESEARCH – I used a journal and took note of when I felt bored and when I felt engaged and in the flow of life. There were surprises I saw patterns I hadn’t expected to see.

EXPAND – I moved outside my loves and began exploring new subject areas. I subscribed to newsletters like Fast Company Daily and allowed new ideas from young ‘mentors’ to cross pollinate my thinking. I watched Ted Talks to see what today’s innovators were thinking, saying and doing!  It’s how to become relevant in record speed!

WRITE – I took note of ideas as soon as they surfaced because (if you’re like me) they seem to vanish as quickly as they appear.

WRITE – I wrote my 6 word memoir – I want my life to be summed up in these words: ANYTHING POSSIBLE – I GOT IT DONE

EVALUATION – The Curriculum of ME – following 12 months of study. While I have come to many realizations and have moved into action on several projects and endeavors I know there is much more to explore and discover.  My plan is to be actively engaged in the curriculum of ME for Life. I feel vital, alive, full of energy and deeply purposeful.

Everyone was born to do something distinctive, and if we don’t do it, it will never be.

I feel I’m closing in on not only what I was born to do but who I was born to be.

“I am not afraid I was born to do this.” Joan of Arc