Got a minute? To figure out out what to do with the rest of your life?

It shouldn’t be difficult, right? And yet, we know scores of people who feel trapped in a dead-end job or loveless marriage or say they have no reason to get out of bed in the mornings. Keep reading and you’ll find that the term got a minute  will be used in a way you have never considered.

One of my hobbies in my spare time is thinking about, and therefore writing about happiness, or more accurately unhappiness. I’m not alone because hundreds maybe thousands of blogs, articles and books have been written about these subjects. And one of every six Americans take some type of prescription psychoactive drug, ostensibly in hopes to feel happier. I’ve explored some of the alternatives to drugs for anxiety, stress and despondency elsewhere, consequently there’s no need to repeat that info.

Always on the lookout for like-minded people on these subjects, I discovered Dan Pink several years ago. And have devoured several of his books like Drive, The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us, and To Sell is Human.

Dan Pink’s books are crammed with practical information.

Like all good writers, he is constantly searching for interesting people with knowledge that can help, inspire and even change his the lives of his readers for the better. Richard Leidman, the creator of the “Got A Minute? napkin test, is one of  those people.

Since Dan’s newsletters rarely disappoint, on a recent search for what Dan’s been up to, I discovered that he has moved to podcasts, rather than newsletters. They are smart, funny and last less than two minutes. Makes sense in this culture where even soundbites  can be considered too much information.

In his latest Pinkcast, Dan interviews Richard Leider, an expert in what he calls, the power of purpose.

Take just four minutes to listen to Dan introduce Richard. Leider explains that what gets us out of bed in the morning can be reduced to a formula: G+ P + V= C : gifts plus passions plus values equals calling.

Interesting word, right? Calling? Not job but calling.

How about trying Richard Leider’s got a  minute napkin test? Maybe you’ll find something new, exciting and adventurous, about yourself!

Got a minute? To figure out what to do with the rest of your life?