Have you spent enough time with yourself to know who you are? That’s different from knowing “what” you are: a mother, a daughter, a spouse, a boss, an employee, etc. Do you know the sound of your own drum? Are you your own choreographer? Or have you let others define you?

Sometimes when we spend so much time being what we are, we lose sight of who we are. And then it’s only after our kids leave home or our marital status changes that we’re forced by default to rediscover our True North, our purpose. Suddenly we find ourselves alone in a world of too many options, not remembering what we like to see and do, trying to reconstruct our identity. 

Why wait for a major life change?!

“But how do I find my True North? I don’t even own a compass and, even if I did, I wouldn’t have the foggiest idea how to use the darn thing!”

Ok, no worries! There is an exercise you can do to help lead you back to you. I know. I said the word “exercise.” Don’t worry, this doesn’t involve planking! It’s way more fun. You don’t even need a treadmill! All you need is…wait for it…a pen and paper. That’s it!

Explore and take notes on the following with an open mind:

• Think back to when you were a kid. What did you love to do? Sometimes we lose the child within when we have responsibilities.
• Who do you look at and wish you could be like?
• What type of shows/books/movies to you gravitate toward?
• What are you really good at? What was your strongest subject in school? (Aptitude doesn’t always translate to purpose, but it’s worth considering.)

Spend time getting to know yourself.