When we Repack, we make a conscious effort to differentiate time, separating the past from the future. In the process, we also weigh what’s essential and what’s unessential.

The old story was populated by such themes as “the golden years,” “life of leisure,” a life without the pressure of time clocks or the demands of work.

The best boards contain a diverse group of people, each of whom plays a different role: a committed listener, who holds up the mirror; a catalyst, who helps you get outside your comfort zone; a connector, who plugs you into other resources, people, and learning opportunities; a task master or trainer, who holds you accountable for doing what you sa

Pick one of these activities, try it out, and then write about it in your Possibilities Journal: Go to a local newsstand and intentionally buy and read a handful of magazines you’ve never read before—and that previously never appealed to you. If you like science magazines, buy a publication with short stories. If sports is your regular read, take h

Something I talk about in my second book, Start Where You Are, is finding your button. What is the one thing that turns you on so much that the sun can’t come up soon enough in the morning because you want to go do your thing,

in a world of change, there are two constants: having your own purpose and being connected to others.

Visit organizations that give you insights into the field you’re interested in. Volunteer to spend time in a place where the choice you’re interested in is being played out. Shadow someone who is doing what you think you might want to do. Then record your reactions to these investigations in your journal.

Think about your own life story. In your Possibilities Journal, answer these questions: What are the important connections and relationships that have sustained you along the way, particularly in times of transition? Who are the people today you can rely on for wise counsel or outside inspiration? Who gives you feedback that you can put to good use

the formula for exploration. The formula is: G + P + V. G stands for gifts. It’s where you should begin when you’re exploring a choice, a change, or a possibility. What are your strengths? How can you explore using them? P stands for passion. Ask yourself, “What do I care about?” “What needs doing in the world—or in my community?” Consider putting