Aligning Your Actions with What You Truly Want from Life

Gabriela
Aug 27
4 min read

This is the very first tool I’m introducing to you here. And I’ll admit — it isn’t the quickest exercise. It takes a little time up front, but what it gives back to you over the long term is worth it.

It’s called the 100 Wishes Exercise, from Christina Wallace’s book Portfolio Life. I did it two years ago, and only now do I fully see how much it shifted my life — quietly, gently, without pressure. And because I love this so much I want to share it with you so you can benefit from it just as much as I did.

How the 100 Wishes Exercise Impacted my Life

Two years ago, I felt a little lost in my business. Things seemed forced and misaligned. Then I stumbled upon Portfolio Life and discovered the 100 Wishes exercise.

Following the book’s instructions, I sat down and wrote 100 wishes for my life (more on the exercise below). At the time, it didn’t feel like anything had changed immediately. But looking back now, I can see how those wishes have quietly shaped my choices ever since. Some I achieved directly, others nudged me in subtle ways I hadn’t noticed at the time.

Here’s one example: when we moved into an apartment complex with a gym and pool, I debated for months about joining. The membership was expensive, so I kept stalling. Then one day, I remembered a wish from my list: to swim more regularly. Swimming has always made me feel peaceful and alive. That memory nudged me to finally sign up — and now morning swims are a highlight of my week, sometimes even with my daughter (another wish on the list).

That’s just one small illustration of how the exercise has influenced my life over the past two years. Seeing its impact on my swimming routine prompted me to revisit my 100 wishes. Only then did I realize how much I had already begun to live in alignment with them — without heavy goal-setting, pressure, or forcing anything.

That’s the beauty of this tool: it plants seeds that quietly grow over time, gently guiding your choices without the stress of rigid goals.

Why Try This Exercise?

If you want to…

Get clearer on what you actually want (beyond your to-do list).
Notice what’s missing or overlooked.
Gently steer your subconscious toward decisions that align with your dreams and aspirations.

…then this is for you.

The Science-y Bit (Why It Works)

Writing makes it real. Putting wishes on paper strengthens memory and focus.
Permission to dream. Even outrageous wishes feel more normal once written down.
Your brain remembers. Once captured, wishes quietly resurface at the right time.
Clarity through reflection. Writing helps sort scattered thoughts into patterns.
Gentle motivation. Seeing your wishes lifts your mood and nudges you forward.

How to Do the 100 Wishes Exercise

Time needed: about 1 hour (spread over a few days if you like).
What you need: a pen + 100 post-its or small pieces of paper.
Patience: expect to get stuck around 30–40 wishes. That’s where the magic starts - DON'T GIVE UP!

Steps:

Write down 100 wishes for your life:
Begin writing down 100 wishes for your life — anything at all that comes to mind. Include big dreams, small joys, silly ideas, practical things, impossible fantasies, personal goals, and professional aspirations. Don’t censor yourself. This is about letting your imagination run free and giving yourself permission to notice what you truly want.
Keep going even when it feels hard.
It’s normal to hit a wall after 30–40 wishes. You might feel stuck, unsure, or like you’re repeating yourself. That’s exactly the moment where the magic happens. Keep writing, even if it’s slow. Often, your deeper desires emerge once you push past the obvious ideas. Take short breaks if you need to — the exercise can be spread over a few days.
(Optional) Group your wishes by themes
Once you have all 100, take a moment to look at them together. You might notice natural categories, like health, family, personal growth, career, travel, community, or creativity. Grouping them can help you see patterns, recognize areas that are underrepresented, or spark ideas you hadn’t thought of yet. This step is optional, but it can give extra clarity.
(Optional) Add timing or priority markers
You could use colors, symbols, or notes to indicate the timing of your wishes:
- Now – things you can start working on immediately
- Soon – things you’d like to do in the near future
- Someday – big dreams that might take longer to achieve
Remember: this isn’t about deadlines or pressure. The point is to gently map out what matters to you so your choices can start aligning with it naturally.

Some examples from my list for inspiration:

Go for a swim regularly
Give a TED talk
Be known for something cool
Buy a pen for digital drawing
Say “I love you” to my kids every day
Fly in a private jet

Want to Go Deeper?

The 100 Wishes exercise is just one part of Christina Wallace’s Portfolio Life.

If this resonates, I highly recommend checking out her book (affiliate link - I earn a small commission from your order via this Link) — it puts this tool into a bigger picture of designing a life that’s balanced, resilient, and true to you.

If you enjoyed this and want to discover more simple, yet surprisingly powerful self-leadership tools to make life easier, lighter, and more aligned, join my newsletter. That’s where I share ideas like this — little nudges and exercises you can try, keep for later, or let resurface when the timing is right.