Well, here we are at Day 2 - did you enjoy Day 1?  I hope so, because your first task is to re-read your account of that perfect day, and really associate yourself into the picture, really be there, enjoying everything you've created.  Go on, do that now, before you continue. So, what do I mean by "Soul Work"?  These are the tasks that light you up, and that you are really good at doing.  In other words, what you do that really adds massive value to others, and to yourself.  It’s the area where your Power (what you can do) overlaps with your Passion (what you love to do):

It's distinct from your "Role Work", the tasks that you have to do to complete your role, whether that's your job title, or your role as a bread-winner for your family.  Soul Work is what you would do, even if you never had to worry about money ever again.

What Soul Work gives you

In five years’ time, when you have been truly living your genius, you have this life that makes up your vision, your perfect day, because you’ve been spending your time on work you adore, and that you are superb at doing.  Work that puts the minimum obstacles in the way of you delivering your unique value to the world. Now, from that position of being completely associated into your perfect day, turn around, and look at all the things you have been doing to create this wonderful world.

Characteristics

Here are some of the main features to look for in Soul Work, the things that tell you this is work that really represents you in your flow, you at your very best.

• Time stands still - when you're doing this work, you lose all sense of time, you get so absorbed in it.
• Specific tasks - we're not talking about a job title here, we're talking about specific activities that totally absorb you.  What sort of thing is that for you?
• Golden moments – these may be very short-lived, like Beckham bending a free kick, or a chef searing a piece of meat just perfectly; or they may continue over some time, like Michelangelo painting a cherub's cheek.  The important thing is that you feel privileged, incredibly fortunate, blessed even, to be allowed to do them.
• Totally absorption – doing these tasks brings you such pleasure, you have to be almost dragged away from them, or you'd just keep on doing them, they bring you so much joy.
• Forget everything else – many people even find that without someone dragging them away, they forget to eat, or even to sleep, their absorption in the work is so great.

Think about what tasks or types of work have you been doing as you have been building up to your perfect day, tasks that have felt that way to you.

Interactions

Now think about what kind of interactions are involved in your Soul Work - are they individual or do they involve others? Individual activities break down into the physical, involving doing things with objects, or intellectual, playing with concepts.

• Objects (Physical) - work involving objects breaks down into those involving precision, like fine art or engineering,  and those involving strength or power, physical labour.  Maybe you have other ways of breaking them down, do whatever works for you, that helps you really understand those things that you really love to do, and are superb at doing.
• Concepts (Intellectual) - intellectual work involves things like practical problem-solving, maybe creating an elegant spreadsheet or a fantastic architectural design, artistic or creative work, or coming up with answers to philosophical questions.

Where the important interactions in your Soul Work are with a group, I break them down into three main types - serving, teaching and teamwork.  And they may well have elements of all three.

• Serving - tends to be about others, providing them with something they can't do by themselves.  It involves giving to others.
• Teaching - as well as simply imparting knowledge, this can be about setting an example.  It tends to be in front of others.
• Teamwork - is about working as part of a group, either as their peer, their leader or their supporter.  It is working with others

Define your Soul Work

Right, now you've considered all the elements that make up your Soul Work, it's time to define what it is for you. Taking into account all the things we've talked about in this session, and that have led to your perfect day, describe your Soul Work.  This isn't something to be shared with other people, it only has to mean something to you.  Identify all the aspects of the work you love and are brilliant at - we're not talking about a job title, or an industry, what you're looking for is the specific things that you are actually doing when you are totally and completely in your flow. At this stage, we're not concerned about *why* you're enjoying it, or why you're so brilliant at it, just that you are. Remember, we’re at the time of your perfect day now, and you are where you are because you've been doing these things that have led you to your perfect day.  Just like with your perfect day, include in your description all the modalities of experience - Visual, Auditory, Kinaesthetic, Olfactory, and Gustatory.  Really get into it - remember, you've been doing this stuff for almost five years by now! And once again, add into the picture how you are feeling as you do your Soul Work, the fascination, the total absorption, and what other emotions are you experiencing?

OK, time to start writing, to get down on paper how your Soul Work looks, sounds and feels, right now

See you for the next module!