Discovering Your Driving Desires
Each of us is born with innate desires that form the basis of our personality. These driving desires are deeply embedded in us, and we will always be seeking to fulfill them, consciously or subconsciously. Understanding your driving desires is critical to finding your purpose and living a fulfilled life. In this blog post, we will explore some techniques you can use to discover your driving desires.
Reflect on Your Childhood
The earliest memories of our childhood often hold clues to our driving desires. Reflect on the activities you enjoyed doing as a child, the things that excited you and made you happy. For instance, you may remember enjoying playing with legos, drawing or painting, spending time in nature or reading books. Such memories will give you insights into your intrinsic motivations and interests.
You can take it a step further by journaling with your inner child. Simply set your intention to create a connection to this wisdom within you. From a calm and centered state of being, begin to write without censoring or judging or analyzing what you are writing or feeling. Just allow yourself to be curious as you invite the words and messages you're ready to hear to flow through you and onto the page. It may take some practice, but the more you intentionally open this channel of communication between you and your inner child, the deeper you'll be able to reach for insight.
Pay Attention to Your Dreams
Dreams are a window into our subconscious mind. They offer a glimpse into our innermost desires and fears. Start a dream journal and record your dreams. Take time to analyze them, and identify recurring themes or symbols. This exercise will help you understand your unconscious mind and the driving desires that underlie it. Again, this may take some practice to open this channel, but with patience you'll soon reap the rewards of your efforts.
Identify Your Values
Values are principles that guide our behavior and decision-making. They reflect what we hold dear and what we believe to be essential in life. Identify your core values, those that are most important to you, and then reflect on how they connect with your driving desires. For instance, if you value freedom, you may be driven by a desire to explore and experience new things.
Notice What Energizes You
Paying attention to the activities that leave you feeling energized, engaged, and fulfilled can help you identify one or more of your driving desires. These activities can be hobbies, passions, or projects that you enjoy doing. By paying attention to what energizes you, you can gain insights into the activities that align with your driving desires.
When you feel energized, take note of the specific aspects of the activity that bring you joy. For instance, if you love gardening, notice what it is about the activity that makes you feel energized. Is it the feeling of being outdoors and connecting with nature? Or is it the satisfaction of seeing your plants grow and thrive?
Once you have identified the aspects of the activity that energize you, explore how they could relate to your driving desires. For example, if you love connecting with nature while gardening, it could be that your driving desire is to have a deep connection with the natural world. If you love seeing your plants grow and thrive, it could be that your driving desire is to nurture and care for others.
It is essential to note that what energizes you can change over time. Therefore, it is vital to stay open and curious about new activities and experiences that may align with your driving desires.
Reflect on Moments of Irrationality
At times in your past, you may have acted irrationally. When this happens, it can seem as though you're are being driven by an unknown force. Such moments can be confusing and leave us feeling out of control. However, these moments can also offer valuable insights into our driving desires...
Reflect on any moments in your life when you acted irrationally, or your behavior was out of character. Ask yourself what triggered your behavior, what emotions were you feeling, and what need or desire were you trying to fulfill. It could be that you were trying to satisfy a deep-seated desire that was not being met with your current life circumstances.
Seek Feedback from Others
Sometimes, we may not be aware of our strengths and talents. Seeking feedback from others can help us gain a new perspective on ourselves. Ask your friends and family members what they think are your strengths and what they appreciate about you. Their feedback can give you valuable insights into your unique talents and the driving desires that underlie them.
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Discovering your driving desires is a journey that requires curiosity, self-reflection, exploration, and experimentation. It is an ongoing process that evolves over time, and is well worth the effort. By understanding your driving desires, you can find your true purpose in life, experience the feeling of being fulfilled, and make a positive impact on the world. You can also ensure that you won't be driven irrationally to meet the needs of your driving desires at the expense of other areas of your life.