What are you thinking?

Do you feel focused and on task most days? Are you enthusiastic about your work and have a positive expectancy for the impact you can have? These are heavy questions on a Monday, I realize. In Simon Sinek's best-selling book, Start With Why, he shares the concept of the Golden Circle. In the circle's center is why, the next ring out is how and the outer ring is what. Most of us know what we do and how. Where many fall short is why? Why do we do what we do besides the money?

Finding the answer to that question can unleash hidden potential, creativity and motivation you didn't know you had. Once you discover your purpose, it can be genuinely life-changing. Patrick Hill and his Washington University colleagues have found essential advantages for more purposeful adults, including better cognitive functioning and longer lives.

UC-Berkeley has developed a Greater Good Science Center and corresponding magazine. Click here to take the Purpose in Life Assessment to see how strong your purpose is. You can also take other assessments — all free — on this site. I found it to be an insightful and reflective site to visit. If you want to strengthen your purpose, they suggest:

Discuss your purpose with others: Talk with a trusted friend, colleague or mentor about your experiences finding your path to purpose. Discuss where you were in your life when you first formed your purpose compared to where you are now.

Best possible self: Imagine yourself at some future age — like 10 or 20 years down the road — and think about your life if everything went as well as possible.

Clarify your values: If it's hard to figure out what matters most to you, reflecting on your values can help. (They offer free assessments). Cultivate positive emotions: Positive emotions help broaden our outlook on the world and energize us to take action for the greater good. Gratitude and awe, in particular, help us care about others, build relationships and feel connected to something greater than ourselves.

My mentor, Bill Mann, told me earlier in my career: "Jeffrey, 80% of the struggles you will face in this career are between your ears. Control your thoughts and self-talk, and you'll control your destiny." Sometimes the stories we make up in our heads can be our worst enemy. Pay attention to what you're telling yourself; it matters.

As you begin a new week, you might consider listening to what you're telling yourself, clarifying your purpose and, if needed, adjusting your actions. The UC-Berkeley Purpose in Life Assessment is a great start.

Happy Monday!

Jeff Schmidt is the SVP of Professional Development. You can reach him at Jeff.Schmidt@rab.com. You can all so connect with him on Twitter and LinkedIn.