The 7 Levels Deep exercise is a powerful tool designed to help individuals discover their deepest motivations and the real reasons behind their goals and actions. It is particularly useful for those looking to gain clarity on their purpose or strengthen their commitment to achieving specific objectives.

Background

The concept of the 7 Levels Deep exercise is often attributed to Dean Graziosi, a well-known entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker. It was popularized through his teachings and writings on personal development and success. The exercise is rooted in the idea that by asking oneself a series of progressively deeper questions, one can peel back the layers of superficial reasons and responses to tap into the core motivations driving their decisions and actions.

Instructions for the 7 Levels Deep Exercise

The 7 Levels Deep exercise is straightforward but requires honest introspection and reflection. Here’s how you can perform this exercise:

• Identify Your Goal or Desire: Begin by clearly stating what you want to achieve or what decision you are trying to make. This could be a career goal, personal development objective, or any other significant aim.
• Ask “Why?”: Ask yourself why this goal is important to you. Write down your answer. This first response often involves surface-level reasoning.
• Dig Deeper: Look at your initial answer and ask “Why?” again, focusing on why that specific reason is essential to you. Write down this following answer.
• Continue the Process: Repeat this process seven times, asking “Why?” to each previous answer. Each layer of questioning aims to delve deeper into your motivations, moving closer to the core reasons that fuel your actions and decisions.
• Reflect on the Deepest Level: By the time you reach the seventh “Why?”, you should have uncovered a fundamental driver or belief that is the root of your initial goal or desire. This deep insight often reveals what truly motivates you, which can be more compelling and emotionally charged than your first-level responses.
• Use Your Discovery: Use the deep insight gained from this exercise to reassess your goals and strategies. Knowing your core motivation helps you align your actions more closely with what is genuinely important to you. It also enhances your perseverance and commitment when facing challenges.

Benefits

The benefits of the 7 Levels Deep exercise include enhanced clarity, personal insight, and motivation. By understanding the profound reasons behind your actions, you can better align your life and work, ensure that your goals genuinely reflect your values, and maintain motivation over the long term. This exercise is also an excellent tool for coaching sessions, helping others clarify their goals and increase their commitment to achieving them.

Benefits of the 7 Levels Deep Exercise

• Enhanced Self-awareness: Uncovering your core “why” provides clarity about your priorities.
• Increased Motivation: Understanding your deep motivations creates a powerful drive towards your goals.
• Improved Decision-Making: Aligning choices with your values leads to more fulfilling decisions.0
• Greater Purpose: Connecting with your purpose can enhance your overall life satisfaction.

Why Do I Need to Find My Purpose?

Finding your purpose is crucial for several reasons:

Direction and Focus: Knowing your purpose gives you a clear direction to follow, which helps streamline your focus and efforts on what matters most. This clarity can reduce confusion and help you avoid wasting time and resources on pursuits that don’t align with your deeper goals.

Motivation and Persistence: When your actions are driven by a purpose that is meaningful to you, you are more likely to persevere through challenges and setbacks. Purpose acts as a powerful motivator, not just during easy times but especially when you face obstacles.

Fulfillment and Satisfaction: Living in alignment with your purpose can lead to greater fulfillment and life satisfaction. It can enhance your happiness and well-being by giving you a sense of accomplishment and contribution.

Personal Growth: The journey to finding and fulfilling your purpose can lead to significant personal growth. You’ll likely encounter challenges and learning opportunities that push you to develop new skills and expand your potential.

What is the Process of Finding Your Purpose?

The process of finding your purpose involves introspection and reflection to understand what truly drives and fulfills you. It’s about identifying the activities, goals, and aspirations that resonate deeply with your core values and give you a sense of meaning and satisfaction. This process can help guide your decisions in life, career, and relationships, ensuring they align with your innermost desires and long-term happiness.

Download the worksheet – Free!

Instructions

• Choose a Goal or Topic: Start with something you want to achieve or a question you want to answer about yourself. Examples:
  • I want to start my own business
  • I want to stay motivated
  • I want to get healthier
• Ask yourself “Why?” Seven Times: For each answer you provide, ask yourself “why” again. Dig deeper with each response. For example:
• Goal:I want to start my own business.
  • Why? I want to be my own boss.
  • Why? I want to have control over my work.
  • Why? I want to build something I’m passionate about.
  • Why? I want to make a positive impact on the world.
  • Why? I want to feel fulfilled and leave a legacy.
  • Why? It’s important to me to live a life with purpose.
• Reflect on Your Core Motivation: Now, for some reason, the final “why” often reveals your deepest underlying motivation – so think about that. This provides insight into what truly drives you and mirrors what your soul is yearning for you to accomplish.

How Do I Use the Enclosed Worksheet?

To effectively use a worksheet designed to help you find your purpose, follow these steps:

• Read Through the Worksheet: Start by reading the instructions and questions thoroughly to understand what each section requires. You can print it or save it to your device by using the fillable fields.
• Respond Thoughtfully: Take your time to think about each question before responding. The aim is to dig deeper into your own psyche and experiences, so thoughtful, reflective answers are more beneficial than quick responses.
• Review and Reflect: After completing the worksheet, review your answers. Look for recurring themes or ideas that resonate strongly with you. This review can reveal what is truly important in your life.
• Identify Action Steps: Based on your reflections, identify potential action steps that can move you closer to your purpose. Determine what changes or goals you need to set to align your daily life with the purpose you’ve identified.
• Revisit Regularly: Your understanding of your purpose may evolve as you grow and experience new things. Revisit the worksheet periodically to update your responses and refine your sense of purpose.

Tips

• Find a quiet space: Allow yourself time for uninterrupted thought. I often find that sitting on the ground looking out over the ocean helps me concentrate, feel grounded, and, therefore, be more reflective.
• Be honest with yourself: Don’t censor your answers, even if they seem simple or surprising. Always write down what comes to your mind first – and don’t be so logical about it, even if you think it’s trivial or unimportant. You can then play the scenarios out when you Journal and you may be able to make connections later that you can’t see now.
• Consider a partner: Doing this exercise with someone can add further perspective.
• Write it down: Journaling your responses helps visualize the process.