Spring is nature’s way of reminding us that it’s never too late to begin again. According to the Purposescaping executive coaching philosophy, what you metaphorically plant in spring could potentially take root and grow strong and healthy in future seasons. So now is the perfect time to reassess your goals and realign your strategy before you seed something new in your life.
But for high-achievers who’ve spent years building successful careers, clarity isn’t always easy. In fact, the more accomplished you are, the more complex your decisions can become. As you progress in your career, the work is no longer about finding yourself. Instead the task becomes reconnecting to the authentic parts of yourself that may have gotten quiet.
During a recent workshop I helped a room full of leaders and creatives uncover their next best step. I guided them through a series of exercises to dial back the noise of hustle so they could tune in to themselves, their energy, and what’s been calling them for years.
If you’re ready to step into alignment this season, here are 7 journaling prompts to help you clear mental clutter and reclaim your direction.
1. What activities bring me energy — even when I’m tired?
Notice what lights you up. As I write in The Rest Revolution, now is the time to prioritize energy-generating activities and energy-generating relationships. Energy is data. If you’ve been ignoring your energy, you’ve been ignoring the most honest part of you.
2. What do people consistently thank me for — that I haven’t fully owned?
Often, your zone of genius is hiding in plain sight. When others see your gifts before you do, it’s a sign to take a closer look.
3. Where am I currently leaking energy or betraying myself?
Are there meetings, clients, habits, or roles that drain you? Getting clear on what needs to go is just as important as knowing what to pursue.
4. Which of the four seasonal priorities do I need to focus on right now?
When it comes to your career, fulfillment is elusive when you’re out of alignment with your income, influence, impact, or inner joy. Your clarity deepens when you pick a lens. Every choice doesn’t have to serve every goal, but it should serve your current priority.
5. What have I already built that I’m not leveraging?
You have built brand equity in your network, in your results, in your reputation. What doors do you have available to you that you’ve yet to walk through?
6. What expired dreams am I still clinging to?
Sometimes the dream that got you here isn’t the one that will take you forward. Letting go doesn’t mean failure. Sometimes letting go is a way to make room for a more current and authentic aspiration.
7. Who do I want to be on the other side of this season?
Creating a vision for the future will help you guide your actions in the present moment. Think about the most aligned version of you. How do they speak, move, lead, and show up? How can you embody more of that vision?
Spring is an invitation to realign, and you already have more access to clear strategy than you think. Use these journaling prompts to set yourself up powerfully for the remainder of the year.