How to Turn Your NOW into a NEXT that Lights You Up

What fun it was speaking at @Joepolish ‘s Genius Network this week on how to crystallize a 4C -Clear, Congruent, Compelling, Commercially-viable - NEXT.

First, we filled out the HAPPINESS BOX (from my SOMEDAY is Not a Day in the Week book) to figure out what’s working, what’s not, what we can do about it.

Then, I asked series of clarifying questions to help everyone see how they could leverage their EEE - Experience. Expertise. Epiphanies. - to create their IKIGAI.

Steve Jobs said, “You can’t connect the dots forward. You can only connect them backwards.” I 100% disagree.

This exploratory process helps you collect the intriguing dots of what you’re bringing to the table - and then connect them forward into a rewarding NEXT.

In fact, do you want to kick-start this process for you right now?

Get out a fresh piece of paper and divide it into three vertical columns.

Put EXPERIENCE at the top of Column 1.

EXPERTISE at the top of Column 2.

EPIPHANIES at the top of Column 3.

Now, I'll ask questions and you respond. Don't criticize what comes up. That kills the creative voice. You want to jot thoughts while they're hot.

Got your mind and pen ready to go? Let's go.

In Column 1, write your answers to these questions about what you've experienced that is UNCOMMON and INTRIGUING.

• Where have you been that people would like to go?
• Who have you met people would like to meet?
• What have you achieved people would like to achieve?
• What is something you've done very few people have done?

In Column 2, write your answers to these questions about what you're good at that people would PAY you to do FOR them or PAY you to teach TO them.

• What process have you crafted or created that provides SHORTCUTS?
• What skill/talent have you honed via 10,000 hours of practice?
• What unique abilities do you have that you get complimented on?
• What hobby, sport, special interest brings you joy?

In Column 3, write your answers to these questions about what you deeply care about - what you know for sure.

• What's your philosophy, favorite quote, mission statement?
• What spiritual practice centers you & makes you feel good/right?
• What have you discovered - the hard way - that is CONTRARIAN?
• Do you have a dream that calls you, something you've always wanted to try?
• What's cause you're devoted to, a wrong you want to right?

The next step is to review what you've written and ask yourself:

• Which of these would I LOVE doing for the next five years?
• Which of these LIGHTS ME UP and would be the most FUN?
• Which has the potential to add value and earn money if I codify it, write/speak/coach about it, turn it into a business with a product/service?

Please understand, this is just PART of the step-by-step process I've developed that can help your turn your NOW into an incredibly rewarding NEXT.

I ask more questions that draw out your talents, yearnings, lessons-learned, and "skills that pay the bills" you can integrate into your next life chapter.

Then, we apply metrics to 'suss out the day-to-day lifestyle you want - the amount of $$ you want/need to make - the time you want to spend on the different areas of your life - who you want/need to get involved - and what tangible steps you need to take to operationalize this and set it in motion.

One of the great joys of my life is helping people who have "no idea what I want to do NEXT" crystallizing a life that rings and sings they're looking forward to.

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Sound appealing? You're welcome to reach out to find out more about private coaching or how to bring this workshop into your group's next gathering.