This article is devoted to family, friends and business associates who have enriched my life. You all have wonderful stories to tell – and I keep nagging many of you to ‘take action’ and write your life’s stories. Sometimes it is easier to get started by making lists or answering questions. So, I hope that this exercise will help you.
PAST
Let’s start by looking at some of the influences that have shaped you.
People: please list 10 people who have had a positive impact on your life.
What did each person do that was so special?
Great – you are doing well!
Achievements: list 10 achievements that you are really proud of.
What effect did each of those have on your life? Or how did each of those change your life?
That wasn’t difficult, was it?
Past challenges: list 5 challenges that you have overcome.
PRESENT
Let’s move on to the present.
Present challenges: list 5 challenges that you are facing now.
Sense of belonging: where do you belong? What groups are you part of?
- Nationality
- Ethnic
- Religious
- Tribe or clan
- Family
- Generation
- Gender
- Educational or professional
- Organisations
- Hobbies, sporting, creative or musical groups
How about trying to find another 5 groups that you belong to that are important to you? These can be formal or informal groups.
Next: how similar are you to the other people in each of the above groups?
How do you differ from most people in those groups?
Spend a few minutes pondering your involvement.
Who are you (now)?
Please list 5 ‘touchstones’ – in other words, those things, people or situations that really bring out the best in you – for example, sunrise, your dogs, an engrossing book etc.
Your values
5 of your top personal values are:
FUTURE
Now we move on to your future state.
Your vision
What do you want your life to be like in 3 years time? Please ‘stretch’ yourself – but still be realistic.
- How will you be adding more fun to your life?
- Who are the people you want to be spending most time with?
- How will you be investing and spending your time?
- What financial assets will you have accumulated?
- What will you be earning and how will you be saving and spending your money?
- Which tangible items mean a great deal to you?
- Where will you be situated geographically?
- What will you have achieved through study or skills development in the next 3 years?
- What will you be doing more of (than you are doing now)?
- How will you be building, conserving and spending your personal energy?
Stop, start, continue
In order to achieve your 3-year personal vision:
- What must you continue doing?
- What must you start doing?
- What must you stop doing?
If you’d like more details on setting your personal strategy, please read ‘Networking Tactics: a guide to achieving success through personal networking’ – Brenda Eckstein.
Glance through your answers. You are unique. No-one else could have given the combination of answers that you have provided. So, capture the essence and begin writing an aspect of your life that you are enthusiastic about. After all, you are the world expert on YOU!
I hope that this brief exercise has stimulated your creativity and motivated you to start writing your special ‘life’s story’. I look forward to hearing your progress.
Warm wishes,
Brenda
PS – Well done!
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