15 Comments

The 15-Minute Purpose Exercise

Posted by & filed under Personal Growth.

My friend Chance Scoggins of ChanceScoggins.com recently sat down with me to discuss the concepts in my book, 20,000 Days and Counting. After doing this video, I KNEW I had to share it with you guys.

Regardless of what you are trying to do with your life—whether you think you know your purpose or are still searching for your purpose—the exercise we talk about in this video will cause you to learn mind-blowing things about yourself!

I’ve done it many times throughout my life and have ALWAYS been floored by what happens.

Do it as soooooon as you can and let me know how it works for you.

- TheRobertD

 

Discover Your Purpose in 15 Minutes

Most people know the answer to life’s questions if they would just answer them.

  • Next time you say, “I don’t know,” ask yourself, “If I did know…what would I say?”
  • Every person who has asked that question is batting 99% on coming up with an answer.
  • You know the answer, but we are afraid to say it.

Preconceived notions about ourselves keep us from making critical life decisions.  We say things like:

  • I can’t do that; it’s too grand.
  • I’m not supposed to be rich.
  • I’m not supposed to be an author.

Here is the exercise to get past the fear and discover what is in your heart:

  • Sit down with a blank page with nothing else on your mind except the question, “What is my purpose?”
  • Get in a peak state of excitement by playing music that makes you happy, creating motion, jumping up and down, etc.
  • Set a timer for 15 minutes and start writing anything and everything that crosses your mind. Do not stop until the 15 minutes is up.
  • When the timer goes off, look at what you have on the page. Half of it or more will not be usable, but the parts that are will be things that will either cause you to find extreme joy or cry. You will find intense truth.

This exercise gets you out of your own way.

  • Most people have their brakes on. This allows you to release your brakes and move emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
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  • Alejandro Balderas

    I must say that I think I have put the breaks on one area or two in what I want to do. Very Interesting, I’ll give it a try for sure and I’ll let you know how it works for me.Thanks Robert.

    • http://therobertd.com/ Robert

      Put your foot on the gas, Alejandro!

      • http://www.chancescoggins.com/ chance

        What he said! :)

  • Shelley Hess

    FIRST, Robert, YOU “cause extreme JOY” (to quote you) in David’s and my souls. Simply to hear your incredibly, wonderfully, consistently enthuasiastic voice creates joy in our hearts!!! And then what you share, through every medium God has given you, including your book that we know first hand is flying off the shelves and can’t be printed fast enough!!!!!

    NOW, about this four minute uTube click…. WOW, Robert!! That’s a treasure chest, a HUGE pearl in the oyster, a diamond find of a life-time!!! AND Chance sharing how he, and his wife, practially DO THIS is absolutely brilliant! Thanks for such an incredible gift we can forward to a million people we love and care about, SOOO EASILY!!! You just keep giving and we’re blown away to be blessed in receiving. Have an AWESOME DAY, our Brother!!!

    God Bless YOU!!!!!

    • http://therobertd.com/ Robert

      Thank-YOU, Shelley! Very glad you found value in the video.

      • http://www.chancescoggins.com/ chance

        What a heart you have, Shelley. I can feel your enthusiasm through the screen! :) Yes, Jennifer and I credit this exercise with MUCH of the good that has happened in and through us since we began using it. One thing I’ve noticed that is amazing… There are always random, weird things that show up on BOTH of our lists… things we’d never have that about naturally or thought the other one would have been drawn to do. That’s how we know what we absolutely MUST do. Such a great exercise. We’re grateful Robert is sharing his wisdom with the world!

        • Shelley Hess

          Awesome, Chance!!! David just came in (we’re a few hours behind you) AND we can’t wait to do this! TONIGHT!! We hear you 100% regarding what shows up on BOTH your and Jennifer’s lists. The more random the better – the ‘out-of-the-box, forget-the-normal’ stuff. And may I say(?) straight from the Lord!! Robert shares you’re transitioning. Sooooo much more exciting and awesome for you two/your family with this ‘edge’!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

  • 48DaysDan

    Robert,
    I met with an old friend yesterday who is in a very low point. I asked him his purpose for being here and he had nothing. I’m going to go back and be more direct with the plan you give here. I can’t imagine someone not having any sense of their purpose. Thanks for the ongoing encouragement.

    • http://www.chancescoggins.com/ chance

      Dan, you can give this advice confidently, knowing you’re giving REAL and PRACTICAL help. It works! It brings clarity and new vision, whether you’re ‘lost’ or very sure of your purpose.

      • http://therobertd.com/ Robert

        Thanks, Chance :-)

    • http://therobertd.com/ Robert

      WOW. Definitely give this a try, Dan. Let me know what happens! Thanks!

  • Arlen Miller

    “Release your brakes and move…” Love it. Thanks so much, Robert. That’s freeing. Very much love it! Just signed up for your emails today and this is a fabulous introduction to you and your work in the world of communication and life purpose, Mr. Robert. I came here through Mr. Jeff Goins.

    • http://therobertd.com/ Robert

      Thanks, Arlen! So glad you signed up and are enjoying things. And I looooove Jeff’s stuff!

  • http://sparkvoice.wordpress.com/ DS

    I love this exercise placed here. Listening to a SUCCESS CD a stat was quoted about 80% of people have a feeling that they are not passionate about anything or are unfulfilled. I look forward to using this practice and having it as a resource. Thanks for this!

  • http://www.livelaughserve.com/ Michael Hawkins

    I’m going to try this over the weekend — during a few minutes of quiet time. I have a feeling I know what will end up on the page, yet I might be surprised.

    I WON’T be surprised if I end up crying (and I’m PERFECTLY okay with that) because this whole ‘purpose’ thing has been weighing heavy on my heart for long, long time. I struggle with it every day and need to get it figured out soon.

    Fifty-one is not old (I get that), but I truly want to fulfill my life’s purpose NOW and for the rest of my days.

    Perhaps this exercise will shed some serious light on the subject and I can move forward.

    The hard part is going to be taking my foot off the brake and stepping on the gas pedal.

    But it’s time to move forward. It’s been time to move forward for quite awhile now.

    Thanks for your help!