| What is the meaning of life - and could you | | | | power, wealth or fame motivates many people, |
| sum it up in 25 words? What if someone | | | | these goals are external, filling |
| offered you $10,000 for your best | | | | deficiencies instead of addressing one's |
| description?The website is running such a | | | | needs for growth and development.Seven |
| contest, and while it may be a marketing | | | | groupings of values have been universally |
| ploy, it's an astute one. Who isn't intrigued | | | | admired across cultures, religions and |
| by this question? Who hasn't struggled to | | | | history: Integrity |
| figure out his or her true purpose?Like | | | | |
| Arthur Dent in A Hitchhiker's Guide to the | | | | Generosity |
| Galaxy, we wish the meaning of life could be | | | | |
| reduced to one simple solution: in his case, | | | | Courage |
| "42."What if there are no meanings to life, | | | | |
| except those we choose? As new-age gurus | | | | Humility |
| assert, "It's all made up, anyway!" Or, as | | | | |
| religious doctrines proclaim, "Follow God's | | | | Compassion |
| will for you. This is the true meaning of | | | | |
| life."Between "any which way you want" and | | | | Loyalty |
| "His way or the highway (to hell)," many | | | | |
| decisions must be made along the way.Even if | | | | Perseverance3. Answer these questions to |
| we turn over some parts of our lives to | | | | define your true values:1. What do you do at |
| leaders, religious or otherwise, other parts | | | | work that gives you great satisfaction? What |
| and decisions remain. What do you eat? What | | | | would you continue to do if you weren't paid |
| kind of work do you do? What about play and | | | | for it?2. What three personal qualities |
| having fun? Marriage and relationships? How | | | | others recognize in you?3. Who are you when |
| do you manage spending and saving?So many | | | | you're at your best?4. What are the three |
| decisions, so little time!What are some of | | | | most important lessons you've learned in |
| the guidelines for exploring and giving | | | | life?5. What would you like to see on your |
| meaning to your life? How can you decide who | | | | tombstone that best captures who you really |
| and what you should be, and which principles | | | | were in your life?6. Cite three small |
| will keep you on track?If you clearly | | | | incidents that gave you great pleasure today. |
| understand where you want to be, you can make | | | | What about these events ignited your |
| sure your actions each day bring you | | | | passion?Once you identify what truly matters |
| closer.Here are three key steps to exploring | | | | to you, look at how you express these |
| meaning in your life:1. Examine your | | | | strengths and virtues in your daily life. |
| identity. Who are you? Self-awareness is the | | | | Prioritize your values, distinguishing the |
| cornerstone of emotional intelligence, | | | | top three to five that are most important to |
| contributing more to your success in life | | | | you today.Now, go write that 25-word |
| than any other social competency.If you know | | | | statement about the meaning of life - and |
| yourself well, you can choose a path aligned | | | | good luck in winning the $10,000 prize!Patsi |
| with your strengths and weaknesses. You'll | | | | Krakoff, Psy. D. writes articles for business |
| avoid distractions by people, places and | | | | and executive coaches and consultants. She |
| things that are incongruent with your true | | | | provides articles on leadership and executive |
| self.2. Define your values. What are your | | | | development for sale, and formatted into |
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| important moral values. The more clearly you | | | | of Successful Ezines 7-Step Mini-Course to |
| define them, the more energy and focus you'll | | | | learn what you need to know to publish a |
| have to meet your goals.While the pursuit of | | | | successful ezine. |