What Is It That You Want?
Explore your wants, needs, and perceptions. If you had what you wanted now, how would your life be different?
Reflect on what you most want from yourself, friends, spouse or partner, religion or spirituality, work, and the world around you. Select one area as a target for further exploration.
Apply this specific target example to the following questions.
⦁ What are you doing now to get what you say you want? How much effort are you devoting to get what you want?
⦁ How do you perceive yourself and significant others in your life?
⦁ How are you meeting your basic needs?
Reflect on the ways in which your needs are being met, as well as how you see them influencing your daily behavior. Rank the five basic needs in the order of their priority for you. As you reflect on your needs, ask yourself in what areas you would like to make changes.
⦁ Survival.
To what degree are you maintaining vitality and good health, rather than merely surviving?
⦁ Belonging.
What do you do to meet your needs for meaningful relationships? In what ways do you feel a sense of belonging?
⦁ Power or achievement.
When do you feel a sense of power? In what areas of your life are you making significant achievements? When do you feel recognized?
⦁ Freedom or independence.
To what degree do you feel that you are in charge of your life and are moving in the direction that you want?
⦁ Fun or enjoyment.
What are those activities that you do for fun? Do you have as much fun as you would like?
Choose one specific need that you would like to change. For example, if you are not having as much fun in your life as you would like, what specifically would you like to be doing by way of fun that you are not? Reflect on what you are willing to do to change this aspect of your life.
