
What if the next chapter of your life could be written with clarity, conviction, and a deep sense of meaning? What if, by uncovering your true values and gifts, you could live your favourite future now?
The Significant STORIES System invites you on such a journey—a guided exploration through seven transformative parts that culminate in your greatest asset: a Purpose Statement. This statement isn’t just words on a page; it’s a living affirmation, a beacon illuminating your path toward fulfilment and flourishing.
Rooted in timeless wisdom from the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, and the ancient philosophy of prisca theologia, STORIES integrates archetypal patterns into a practical, personal framework. Each stage corresponds to an unfolding chapter of life, mirroring universal cycles of creation, growth, challenge, and legacy.
Let’s explore the seven parts of STORIES:
S – Standards: Knowing Your Values
The journey begins with an exploration of your values—the conception of your authentic self. This is the work of Binah (Understanding) in the Tree of Life, where analytical reflection births wisdom.
What truly matters to you? What principles define your integrity?
Using values assessment tools, we uncover your Mind, Body, Heart, and Spirit priorities. We seek balance—addressing imbalances such as excessive self-sacrifice or unchecked self-interest—so that your goals align with your core. This is wisdom, calling for the courage to live true to yourself rather than the expectations of others.
Your authentic life awaits.
T – Talents: Discovering Your Unique Gifts
Next, we explore your natural gifts and learned talents—the productive assets bestowed by nature and nurtured by life. Here, we stand at Chokhmah (Wisdom) on the Tree of Life, the spark of intuitive insight.
What are you good at? What lights you up?
These talents are not just for personal gain but for service to others—because purpose is found in contribution. Oprah Winfrey captures it beautifully:
“Real power comes by doing what you are meant to be doing, and doing it well.”
We explore your intellectual (IQ), physical (PQ), emotional (EQ), and spiritual (SQ) intelligences—recognising that true direction arises from integrating all four. Standards and Talents together define who you were born to be, giving you Wisdom and Will, and planting the seeds for eudaimonic well-being: a flourishing life lived in alignment with your authentic self.
O – Objectives: Visualising Your Favourite Future
What’s your dream life? If anything were possible, how would you live—mind, body, heart, spirit?
This part invites you to describe your Favourite Future. It’s the child’s dream—the innocent, hopeful vision of who you wanted to be when you grew up. This is the stage of experience, greening, waking—a playful and imaginative embrace of possibility.
Here, you declare what you love. This dream becomes your north star, a guidepost on your hero’s journey.
R – Rich: Envisioning Life Without Limits
Now, we move into adolescence and early adulthood, grappling with desires for achievement, security, and material well-being. We ask:
“If money were no object, how would you live?”
This part honours the ego’s needs for survival, safety, and success, exploring the realms of Malkuth (Kingdom), Yesod (Foundation), Netzach (Eternity), and Hod (Glory). It reflects the phase of flowering, fullness, exploration—where we chase dreams, accumulate, and strive.
We embrace this season without judgement, knowing it’s part of the journey from security to self-actualisation.
I – Illness: Facing Mortality with Meaning
What if life’s time were limited? What would you prioritise? What regrets would you avoid?
This part invites reflection on life’s fragility, asking what you’d do—or not do—if faced with a shortened timeline. It’s a mature reckoning with the soul’s deeper desires, bridging freedom to legacy.
Here, we touch Tiferet (Beauty), the heart of the Tree of Life, harmonising ego and soul. We begin to transcend self-interest, seeking collaboration, contribution, and community impact.
It’s the beginning of wisdom’s ripening.
E – Estate: Defining Your Legacy
Now we ask:
“How will the world be better because you lived?”
This is the harvest of a life well-lived—Chesed (Kindness) and Gevurah (Judgment) in balance, discerning what legacy to leave. Beyond personal achievement, it’s about self-transcendence, joining the great chain of humanity’s progress.
It’s the elder’s reflection, the gathering of fruits, the giving back.
S – State: Writing Your Purpose Statement
Finally, we arrive at Keter (Crown)—the divine spark, pure potentiality. Here, you craft your Purpose Statement, a powerful affirmation that synthesises your journey.
It declares:
“This is who I am. This is why I’m here. This is what I’m here to do next.”
It’s more than words—it’s your guiding star, a lamp lit within, illuminating every step forward. Like planting seeds in fertile ground, it sets in motion a fruitful harvest of living longer, living better, living on purpose.
A Universal Journey
The Significant STORIES System mirrors the universal journey described by Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, Richard Barrett’s seven levels of psychological well-being, Maslow’s hierarchy, and the seven chakras. It follows the ancient cycle from creation to manifestation, from birth to death and beyond, honouring the soul’s longing for wholeness and transcendence.
- Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth: The Hero’s Journey outlines a cycle of departure, initiation, and return. The STORIES System parallels this by guiding individuals through self-discovery (departure), personal growth (initiation), and the articulation of their Purpose Statement (return), empowering them to share their newfound wisdom with the world.
- Richard Barrett’s Seven Levels of Psychological Well-Being: This model expands on Maslow’s hierarchy by integrating ego and soul dynamics. The STORIES System aligns with these levels, facilitating a journey from basic survival needs to self-actualisation and service to others, reflecting a holistic approach to personal development.
- Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Maslow proposed that individuals are motivated by a hierarchy of needs, from physiological necessities to self-actualisation. The STORIES System addresses these layers by helping individuals identify their core values and talents, envision their ideal future, and define their legacy, thus satisfying both basic and higher-level psychological needs.
- The Seven Chakras: Originating from ancient Indian traditions, the chakras represent energy centres in the body, each associated with specific physical, emotional, and spiritual functions. The progression through the STORIES System resonates with the journey through the chakras—from grounding and survival (root chakra) to spiritual connection and purpose (crown chakra), promoting holistic well-being.
Through STORIES, you explore who you were born to be, who you want to become, and how to live as your future self now.
In this process, you reclaim your narrative. You become the hero of your own life. And you return, as Campbell writes, “with the power to bestow boons on your fellow man.”
You carry your light into the world.
✨ You can do this. I promise. Your purpose statement will be prominent and inspiring. It will light your lamp within. This INSPIRED STATE will breathe life into your plan and guide you through all obstacles on your journey.
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By Steve Conley. Available on Amazon. Visit www.steve.conley.co.uk to find out more.
