North Star Writers Group

The goal of your Fill Year is to explore as many of your interests as possible. The key to finding your true path in life is through exploration. Get out and try things. Whatever interests you, pursue it.

But you’re busy. You work full time. You have children. You have other responsibilities. What can you do?

I did some homework for you. I figured out that you have the equivalent of 18 work weeks per year to explore your interests. Here’s a look at the math I used: You have 30 minutes at lunch three times per week, 30 minutes at night three times per week, two weekend days per month and one week of your annual vacation time. With a little planning – and determination – you can fill your year with many meaningful activities.

But if you are already feeling maxed out, how can you dedicate so much time for exploration? Take my “Morning Test” to find out. Here’s how it works. Every night for one week write down everything that you do at lunch and at night. Jot down the e-mail you read, the sites you surf, the radio programs you listen to, the TV shows you watch and whatever else you do.

Then immediately after waking up the next morning – and this is important – think about what you did the day before at lunch and at night. Think about everything you did that still makes you happy, and what you think was a waste of time. Write it all down.

Do this for one week and see which activities are meaningful to you and which ones you do by force of habit. Here’s your opportunity. Replace some of your less helpful habits with activities that are gratifying to you.

Now how do you know what is fulfilling to you? Start by looking back at the main periods in your life: childhood, high school, college, jobs, marriage, children and your career. When were you the happiest? When were you the most successful? What were you doing? What were you learning? What activities did you enjoy? What were you reading? What were you writing? With whom were you spending time? Your answers to these questions will help uncover your passions in life.

How else can you find clues to what you love to do? Ask the people in your life what they think. What have they seen you do well? In what have you expressed an interest? Ask your family. Ask your friends. Ask your co-workers. Their insight might surprise you.

How can you find out what activities are available to you? Check your local newspaper, TV and radio event calendars. Call your local universities, museums, libraries, theatres, concert halls, hotels, chambers of commerce, local governments and houses of worship. Find out which associations have chapters in your area. Get a listing of local clubs. See what’s interesting to you and start plugging activities into your calendar.

Some of you may be thinking that you cannot take this time away from your spouse, children, parents, friends or co-workers. This is where you play “Fill Year Matchmaking.” Determine who would be willing to participate in some of these activities that you find interesting, and then invite them to go along with you. They’ll appreciate the invitation, and you’ll do something fun together. And you’ll have taken another step forward in your year of exploration.

Get excited about your future. Take a Fill Year now. Find your true path.

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