Sometimes, it's easier to define what you don’t want before you figure out what you do.

That was exactly my experience when I was burned out at work. Motivation felt like a distant memory, and dreaming big seemed impossible. At that point, I wasn’t excited about opportunities—I was just trying to get through the day.

If you’re feeling stuck in a routine or too busy to step back and reflect, starting with an anti-vision can be a powerful way to gain clarity.

Stressors Analysis

I wish I had done this exercise earlier in my life! It would have saved me from countless situations that drained my energy and slowed my progress.

I first came across this idea in a book by Deepak Chopra. He emphasized listing out everything that causes stress and systematically working to remove those things from your life.

Now, I’ve learned to be more in tune with my energy. After I complete a task or interact with someone, I pause and reflect:

• Do I feel anxious and stressed, or am I calm and at peace?

• Do I feel uninspired and down after an activity or conversation, or do I feel energized and motivated?

• Am I inexplicably fatigued, or do I feel alert and engaged?

Listening to my body and emotions has helped me pinpoint exactly what’s not working in my life. I started taking notes over the course of a week and quickly saw patterns emerge.

For example, I realized that a particular type of work made me feel exhausted—not because it was difficult, but because it wasn’t aligned with what I truly wanted to do. Likewise, certain meetings with specific people always left me feeling frustrated and unmotivated.

This practice is especially helpful if you’re in a work environment that drains you, dealing with a boss who doesn’t align with your values, or feeling stuck in a role that no longer excites you.

The Trade-Offs & Compromises

Step 1: Identify Acceptable Compromises

🔮 Ask:

What are some things I don’t love but am willing to accept because they help other parts of my vision come true?

💡 For example:

• Maybe you don’t love the city you live in, but it’s where your dream job is located.

• Maybe you prefer in-person work, but the best company for you is remote-only.

• Maybe the industry you love has aspects you dislike, but the overall mission keeps you engaged.

This is where defining your core values becomes critical. Ranking your values will help you decide what trade-offs are worth making.

Step 2: Define Your Non-Negotiables

🔮 Ask:

What are the things I will never compromise on?

💡 For me, I realized I could deal with long work hours if I was passionate about the mission, but I would never compromise on working with toxic people. I also knew I needed flexibility in my schedule to stay energized and creative.

Reflect on Your Past 

Sometimes, the best way to figure out what you want is to look back at what you never want to experience again.

• What were the lowest points in your life?

• What led to those moments?

• What environments, habits, or relationships contributed to those lows?

💡 For example, I once accepted a role that looked great on paper—high salary, prestige, a well-known company. But I ignored the warning signs about the work culture. Within months, I was drained, uninspired, and dreading each day. That experience taught me that no amount of money or prestige is worth being in an environment that doesn’t align with who I am.

What You Don’t Want

It’s time to get specific.

Write a list of situations that would make you feel unfulfilled, drained, or stuck. These could be things you’ve personally experienced or things you’ve observed in others.

📌 Two Key Questions:

1. What do you NOT want your career and life to look like?

2. If you keep doing exactly what you're doing now, where will you be in 10 years? Do you like what you see?

This second question is a game-changer. When I asked myself this a few years ago, the answer was unsettling. If I kept going down the path I was on, I would have financial stability but zero passion for my work. That realization was the wake-up call I needed to make a shift.

Exercises

Q1 - Stressors Analysis

1. Think back to the last month. Write down things that drained your energy. What were the signs?

   • …

   • …

   • …

   • …

Q2 - Trade-offs and Compromises

1. What are some things that you don’t love but are willing to accept because other parts of your vision come true?

   • …

2. What will you absolutely never compromise on?

   • …

Q3 - Reflect on Your Past

1. What do you never want to experience again?

   • …

2. What were the lowest lows of your life? What caused them?

   • …

Q4 - What You Don’t Want

1. What do you NOT want your career and life to look like?

   • …

2. If you keep doing the same thing where will you be in 10 years? Do you like what you see?

   • …

By defining your anti-vision first, you create a powerful filter for making decisions. Once you eliminate what you don’t want, the path to what you DO want becomes much clearer. ✨