What Lights You Up?

In Editor-in-Chief LIZ BAKER PLOSSER'S book, Own Your Morning (out now in paperback!), she delves into how to make the first hours of the day more meaningful, based on what's important to you. Let her explain....

-  LIZ BAKER PLOSSER

Your morning has the potential to express the people, places, things, and feelings that are important to you. But for many of us, the way we spend our time isn't quite aligned with what truly makes our souls happy. Put another way, you have the opportunity to bring your personal core values to life as your morning unfolds. Core values is a term I have been obsessed with since a three-month leadership training course I took when I worked at SoulCycle, the boutique indoor cycling studio. (FYI: My role was to oversee all the words at the brand, from emails to signage in studio windows. I was most definitely not an instructor. I do love to ride at SoulCycle, though!)

The workshop was led by life coach Judy Goldberg, the founder of Wondershift, who works with individuals and businesses to help people perform at their peak and feel their best. Her program powerfully impacted me as it helped me pinpoint my personal core values. Second, she taught me how to do a "wellness check" on them regularly by asking myself, Am I living my life in alignment with those values? Have they changed, and do I need to recalibrate accordingly?

I can tell you that I celebrate my core values, beginning at 5:17 a.m. every morning. You can, too, and it will make you a healthier, happier human. Time to put pen to paper. (Or fingers to keyboards!) Goldberg and I adapted the following exercises from her coursework to help you identify yours.

1. Interview Yourself

Ask yourself these questions.

1. How would you describe your ideal day? 
2. What lights you up?
3. What captures your curiosity?
4. What do you love doing so much that success or failure doesn't matter?
5. What are you most proud of?
6. What would you drop anything for?

2. Find the Clusters