What if you had a network of friends who were all pursuing inspiring, transformational goals?

What if you had a collection of videos, exercises, and templates to help you choose and achieve a transformational goal of your own?

This is exactly what we’re building at Changing the WIND, and you can still become a lifetime charter member. Click the gold button below to learn more or watch the first lesson free.

Feature: How I Find Out Exactly What I Want

TL;DR: A compelling goal will bring you abundance, growth, and experience. Sometimes the hard part is finding that goal. The Seven Gates tool of the week gives you a way to become crystal clear about what you really want.

There’s a simple formula I’ve been following since I was 12:

1. Choose an ambitious, life-changing goal.

2. Pursue it relentlessly.

3. Learn, meet interesting people, and have loads of fun along the way.

4. Repeat.

More than 40 years later, this has worked out better than anything else I’ve done.

The most important part is step 1, choosing that transformational goal. I call that your Ithaka.

Ithaka is the island Ulysses was trying to return reach throughout his entire Odyssey. 

He had scores of legendary adventures along the way, making Ithaka a symbol for any goal or quest a human being might have.

I named my newsletter after Ithaka, both the island and the poem by C.P. Cavafy.

The poem starts with an important wish:

You constantly learn throughout the journey. You gain priceless treasures, not the least of which is the experience itself.

When you finally reach you reach your Ithaka, you've already grown rich and wise from all you’ve been through.

The purpose of an audacious goal is to have an inspiring quest. One that will not only lead to the fulfillment of your greatest wish but will give you love, wisdom, and new skills and superpowers as you go through it.

 What is it about having an “Ithaka” to aim for that makes it so powerful? A few things come to mind.

• It engages your Reticular Activating System.

• It creates a big picture so you never lose focus or get caught up in busyness that wastes your time and drains your energy.

• It keeps you inspired so you have a reason to get up in the morning and go to work.

• In business, having an Ithaca can get all of your team aligned towards the same goals, and help the decision-making process run more smoothly quickly and effectively.

Not to mention, having an Ithaka gives you something to talk about when other people ask “what do you do?” It’s usually way more inspiring than just telling them your job title.

If you've ever wondered what to do with your life, the quickest way to find out is to choose an Ithaca and start sailing towards it.

You will quickly know if this target is truly what you want because the world will constantly test your resolve.

But before you set sail, you need to have a worthy Ithaka. My favorite way to find this is through the Seven Gates.

Don’t underestimate this tool. There’s usually a reward around the 5th or 6th gate.

Tool of the Week: The Seven Gates

On a sheet of paper, write down the goal you want to make your Ithaka. For example, “I want to write a book about being a working artist.”

At this stage, your goal doesn’t have to be perfect. Just pick something you think you might want.

You’ll pass through each gate by answering the same question. (This works better if you have someone do the exercise with you.)

Your answer refines the answer you gave to the previous question.

First gate: Answer the question, “Why do you want to write a book about becoming a working artist?” Your answer may be, “Because I want to be a published author.”

Second gate: Answer the question, “Why do you want to be a published author?”

Repeat the question, “Why do you want _______” at each gate, until you’ve answered it seven times. Usually you’ll find your true Ithaka somewhere after the fourth gate.

Join Changing the WIND and be part of a community where we dive deeper into tips and tools like these. Videos, worksheets, and live Zoom calls keep you motivated and active as you begin to do the extraordinary. We’re now accepting charter members. Click the button below to learn more:

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Jacob