⭐ Session 2 Purpose Signals

Purpose of Session 2:

To help learners identify the internal “signals” that point toward purpose — their values, peak experiences, emotional resonance themes, and the moments in life that felt deeply meaningful. These signals act as the bridge between who they are today (Session 1) and where they may be heading next (Session 3).

Students will explore stories, values, emotions, and lived experiences to uncover repeated “purpose clues.”

🔷 SECTION 1 — Peak Experience Story Mining (0:10–0:30)

Learning Goal:

Learners will identify 1–2 peak experiences and extract purpose-related themes from personal stories.

Expanded Description:

Students analyze moments in life where they felt at their best — energized, fulfilled, deeply engaged, or proud. These stories often contain early indicators of what gives meaning, direction, and satisfaction.

They will learn to:

  • Identify peak moments across school, work, family, volunteering, and challenges
  • Describe the situation, actions, emotions, and outcomes
  • Extract early-purpose themes (e.g., helping others, creativity, achievement, collaboration, problem-solving)
  • Connect peak experiences to Session 1 identity components (drivers/strengths)

Example:

Peak Moment: “Leading a volunteer team during a community clean-up event.”

Themes: Leadership, contribution, responsibility, group energy, visible impact.

Deliverables (with examples):

Deliverable 1 — Peak Experience Narrative

Students will write one complete short narrative using this structure:

1. Situation
2. What you did
3. How you felt
4. Why it matters

Example Entry:
“During a chaotic shift at my part-time job, I took charge of reorganizing tasks so the team could catch up. I felt calm, focused, and proud. It showed me I naturally bring structure during disorder.”

Activities:

1. Warm-Up Reflection (2 min)

  • “Think of a time when you were truly at your best — what’s the first memory that pops up?”

2. Story Mining Prompt (10 min)

  • Instructor gives categories:
  • School
  • Work
  • Volunteering
  • Family responsibilities
  • Personal projects
  • Overcoming adversity

3. Narrative Writing (8 min)

  • Students choose one story to write using the four-part structure.

4. Optional Pair Share (5 min)

  • Share the “emotion” and “why it matters” portions.

Practice GPTs (max 3):

1. IK-Love GPT — Helps surface passion-rich moments embedded in stories.

2. Achievement Companion GPT — Extracts skills, emotions, and meaning from each experience.

3. CT-Root Cause Finder GPT — Helps identify why the story felt meaningful.

🔷 SECTION 2 — Core Values Ranking (0:30–0:55)

Learning Goal:

  • Learners will identify their core personal values and rank them in order of importance.

Expanded Description:

Students explore what they truly value — the principles that shape decisions, reactions, and long-term satisfaction. Values act as compass markers for purpose and career alignment.

They will learn to:

  • Differentiate personal values from social expectations
  • Identify values that feel non-negotiable
  • Rank top 5 values and describe why each matters
  • Connect values to peak experiences and Session 1 identity traits

Example:

Value: Growth

Why: “I feel alive when I’m learning new skills or improving myself.”

Deliverables (with examples):

Deliverable 2 — Top 5 Core Values List

  • Students must list their top five values and write a short explanation for each.

Example Entry:

  • Integrity: “I want to feel honest and consistent in what I do.”
  • Connection: “I thrive in supportive relationships.”
  • Creativity: “I enjoy coming up with new ideas.”

Activities:

1. Values Identification (5 min)

  • Instructor provides a values list (e.g., Growth, Stability, Creativity, Service, Freedom, Connection, Excellence, Compassion).

2. Personal Ranking (10 min)

  • Students choose their top 5, then write a justification for each.

3. Linking Exercise (5 min)

  • Prompt: “How does each value show up in your peak experience story?”

Practice GPTs (max 3):

1. IK-Needs GPT — Identifies values linked to meaningful life needs.

2. IK-Value GPT — Connects values to potential career alignment.

3. EI-Goal Setting with Emotional Alignment GPT — Helps explain the emotional meaning behind chosen values.

🔷 SECTION 3 — Emotional Resonance Mapping (1:05–1:30)

Learning Goal:

  • Learners will identify recurring emotional themes that signal purpose direction.

Expanded Description:

  • Students analyze the emotional “highs and lows” linked to past experiences. Emotions highlight where purpose may be pointing.

They will learn to:

  • Identify emotions that repeat across memories
  • Recognize what emotions signal movement toward or away from purpose
  • Extract emotional patterns linked to fulfilment
  • Connect emotions to values and strengths

Example Pattern:

“I consistently feel energized when I’m helping others learn or understand something.”

Deliverables (with examples):

  • Deliverable 3 — Emotional Resonance Snapshot

Students list 3–5 recurring emotions and describe the situations where they appear.

Example Entry:

  • “Excited when starting new creative projects.”
  • “Calm when organizing chaos.”
  • “Drained when tasks feel repetitive or lack meaning.”

Activities:

1. Guided Questions (5 min)

  • “What emotions appear in your peak experience?”
  • “Where do you feel most alive?”
  • “What situations drain you emotionally?”

2. Emotion Mapping (10 min)

  • Students list recurring emotional highs and lows.

3. Optional Pair Talk (10 min)

  • Students explain one “high” and one “low.”

Practice GPTs (max 3):

1. EI-Self Awareness Builder GPT — Helps name emotional patterns.

2. EI-Emotional Self-Regulation Coach GPT — Clarifies how emotions influence action.

3. IK-Love GPT — Surfaces emotions tied to passion and joy.

🔷 SECTION 4 — Purpose Signal Draft (1:30–2:00)

Learning Goal:

  • Learners will synthesize peak experiences, values, and emotions into a Purpose Signals Draft.

Expanded Description:

  • Students combine insights from all three sections into a structured summary capturing early indicators of personal purpose.

They will learn to:

  • Identify recurring themes across stories, values, and emotions
  • Connect purpose signals to Session 1 identity elements
  • Draft a concise Purpose Signals statement to use for Session 3 Pathway Creation

Example Purpose Signal Statement:

  • “My purpose signals point toward roles where I can support others, create clarity in disorder, and contribute to meaningful projects.”

Deliverables (with examples):

Deliverable 4 — Purpose Signals Summary

A structured summary including:

1. Top peak experience themes

2. Top 5 values

3. Emotional resonance themes

4. Purpose Signals Statement

Example Entry:

  • Peak Themes: Leadership, structure, contribution
  • Values: Integrity, growth, connection, service, creativity
  • Emotional Patterns: Energized when helping others, calm under pressure

Signal Statement:

  • “I’m most alive when supporting others, organizing chaos, and creating meaningful impact.”

Activities:

1. Synthesis Worksheet (10 min)

  • Students map values + experiences + emotions.

2. Purpose Signals Statement (10 min)

  • Prompt: “If you had to explain where your purpose seems to be pointing, what would you say?”

3. Optional Peer Review (5 min)

  • Share one sentence from the Signal Statement.

Practice GPTs (max 3):

1. IK-Statement GPT — Helps synthesize all 3 sections.

2. JS-Career Path Planner GPT — Connects signals to early direction hints.

3. ST-Socratic Tutor GPT — Guides deeper reflection and clarity.