how to know what you want

It is possible to know what you want, deeply, immediately, all the time.

Here's how.

First, start from a place of stillness.

When you start from a place of stillness, you can make sure your wants come from your soul, not your ego. Sit in stillness. Or it can also help to go for a walk.

Then, you're ready: feel around in your body for your wants.

It can help to ask yourself, what do I want most right now.

Grab the first want that comes to mind, where it's big or small. If it's small, trace it to its source.

For example, the other day when I did this exercise, I felt I wanted to sleep. When I tugged on it more, it felt like it wasn't just about sleeping in that instant, but about feeling free to relax in general.

It was about finding a peaceful lifestyle for myself.

Sometimes people are afraid to get in touch with their wants, because they think their wants are dirty and will lead them astray. For example, lust. But true wants are not the same as fake wants. To distinguish between them, remember, fake wants taste of fear, true wants taste of love.

Once the want is more sizable, start to explore its shape.

So you want to be to famous. What is it about being famous? Is it about being on the cover of Forbes? Is it about proving it to an ex? Is it the attention? Is it to make your mom proud?

Become an expert on your wants. Know where they stop and start.

Often, you'll have multiple wants.

For each want, hold it in your mind's eye. Feel the sensations in your body. Does it produce tingles in your arms, or your chest? Does it make you giddy? Or nervous? Does it produce a subtle buzz, or an unbridled yearning?

The goal is to find the want that makes you come alive.

Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

Above all, remember this is a habit and a daily practice. Eventually this practice can become so ingrained in you that your yearnings are as clear to you as the taste of sweet. Even the simple thing of picking between restaurants, you'll be able to feel in your body for the option that truly excites you.

When you've done the practice for a time, and you've hit on a true-blue want for yourself, you'll know.

The main takeaway is, your body already knows your wants. Tune into it every day, every moment of the day. Test different options with it. Follow the wants. Believe you can have them. Do all this, and it might just lead to your destiny.

For more, read the book The Joy Diet.