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  Reflecting (Northwest Heading)
  
  You enjoy an inward focus on imaginative or prophetic ideas, creative images, and a deep sense of connection to life. To sustain that enjoyment, find ways to keep yourself connected to your imagination and to what you value most. For example, you could: lend your support to people or organizations that you consider important, read or write poetry, learn to paint or draw, take time for private walks to just let your own ideas or imagination roll, find friends who share your values and your commitment to living a significant and authentic life. The key will be to live a life that nurtures your imagination and your deepest personal values. (Also see Career Planning for a career that engages your best gifts.)
  
  As you find ways to stay connected to your imagination and your deepest values, for balance, it will also be important to become agile with the tangible and practical aspects of life.
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  Formulating (Northeast Heading)
  
  You enjoy an inward focus on developing complex concepts, theories, and ideas. To sustain your joy, find ways to pursue your agility with complex thinking. For example, you could: pursue a career consistent with your abilities (see Career Planning); subscribe to the journals that address your special interests; read books that develop your fascination with the big picture systems and ideas; attend seminars or take courses at a local university to sharpen your abilities. The key will be to live a life that cultivates both your imagination and your special abilities in formulating and understanding complex systems.
  
  As you are able to allocate more time for your special formulating abilities, it will also be important to develop your social networks and close friendships. Happiness is also dependent on being in close relationships with others.

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  Associating (Southwest Heading)
  
  You enjoy relating to people, lots of them, and from creating harmony in groups. To sustain your joy, find ways to stay associated with people and their personal needs. For example, you could: join local civic organizations, pursue a career that involves associating with, serving, or organizing others (see Career Planning); stay in close touch with friends and family; organize social gatherings or parties just for the sheer fun of it. The key will be to live a life that cultivates both your attention to the practical issues of life with your love of people.
  
  As you are feel more fulfilled through your time with people, to become more balanced and whole, it will also be important for your to find time for personal reflection and for staying in touch with the larger, less tangible issues of life.
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  Producing (Southeast Heading)
  
  You enjoy getting projects organized, accomplishing difficult tasks, and achieving challenging goals. To sustain your joy, find ways to stay active in the world and to use your interest in organizing the world around you. For example, you could: pursue a career consistent with your gifts (there are lots of them, see Career Planning); assume the leadership in groups for getting things organized and done, serve in leadership roles with local organizations, help to plan and organize events for your community or organizations of interest. The key will be to draw on your special abilities to get things done and organized.
  
  As you feel satisfied that you are capitalizing on your best gifts, to become increasingly balanced, it will also be important to find time for connections to your inner life of imagination and values.

• How to Use the GCI for Personal Growth

Resources

• Books