Creating a Purposeful, Passionate Life in Higher Education
Creating a Purposeful, Passionate Life in Higher Education Bill Johnson, Retreat Facilitator Educational Support Services Northern Arizona University August 6-7, 2013 Inspirational Poem… So, Why Am I In College? Workshop Overview Day 1: Know Thyself Day 2: Visionary Living Most Important Questions Who am I? Who am I meant to be? What am I meant to do? A little bit about me… • Job title – Student Success Coordinator, Personal Development Coach, and Instructor • What I do: – Teach • HHS125 (current) • HHS126, HHS130, HHS250 (proposed) – Workshops (Find Your Why, Visionary Living, Dream-Filled Life) – Conferences (Educating for Purpose, Inspiring for Life) – Other: Weekly Journaling, Meditation for Staff, Life Coaching Retreat Guidelines • Engage fully – allow yourself to be fully present for the two days. • Be attentive to time, since we are on a set schedule for breaks, lunch, and the end. • Be mindful of equal sharing of time for self and for others. • Please turn off cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc. • Have fun! • Anything else? Before we begin… • On the index card, write down your name at the top, then your thought to the following: – What do you hope to learn, discover, achieve, and/or realize by the end of this retreat? – Complete the following statement: • My intention for the two days… Paper Mingle • • • • Exercise to connect with others. Engage in meaningful dialogue. Promotes genuine conversations. Provided by my dear friend Marin Burton Rules: 1. Find a partner. 2. Each person share his or her question. 3. When both have shared, exchange questions. 4. Raise hand to find next partner. Quick thoughts… • Answer Yes or No (to yourself)… – Do you feel inspired getting out of bed every day? – Do you create something more significant than the services you provide? – Do you care more about doing the job right or getting the job done? – Are you on a trajectory to be better tomorrow than you are today? Do you feel the same about your unit, department, or the college in general? – Do you live your life based on something bigger than yourself – professionally and/or personally? Inspirational Video So, what are your thoughts about education? Bring on the Learning Revolution Sir Ken Robinson (Space for reflection and notes on page 4) Why “Purpose and Passion?” About 80% of college students not sure what they want to major in – even those in declared majors. (http://dus.psu.edu/md/mdintro.htm) Over 75% of college students want help finding their purpose. (http://spirituality.ucla.edu/docs/reports/Spiritual_Life_College_Students_Exec_Summary.pdf) Between 50% and 60% of college students change their major at least once. (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/education/edlife/choosing-one-college-major-out-of-hundreds.html?_r=0) About 40% of college students around country graduate from college (30% bachelors degree, 10% associates degree). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_attainment_in_the_United_States) According to Gallup, about 70% of employees are either not engaged or actively disengaged at work. (http://businessjournal.gallup.com/content/125036/Despite-Downturn-Employees-Remain-Engaged.aspx) Why “Purpose and Passion?” • At UNCG: – 76% of students are retained from Year 1 to Year 2. – Graduation Rates: • Four year: 29% • Five Year: 49% • Six Year: 54% – Approximately 50% of students change their major at least once during their college career. Exercise: “How I Am…” • The exercise, “How I Am…” – Located on page 4 and 5 of the workbook. – Provides an initial opportunity for you to reflect on your life at the present. – Challenges you to think about the important things in your work and life. – The goal is to complete as much of the exercise as you desire over the next 10-15 minutes. “How I Am” Reflection • Find a partner (someone you don’t know well) and talk about these questions: – What did you learn about yourself from this exercise? – How did you feel as you completed the sentences? – Was there a question that really challenged you? – Based on your answers, what do you hope to achieve: • At this retreat? • In your work and in your life? Inspirational Quote “All of us are born for a reason, but all of us don’t discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It’s what you do for others.” Danny Thomas, founder, St. Jude’s Hospital Exercise: Kick-Ass Questions • • • • • “Prime the Pump.” Free Write Exercise. Seven sets of questions. One minute time limit for each question. Write the first thoughts that comes to mind (usually most raw and most honest). Question Set #1 What am I really good at doing? What comes really easy for me? What activities make me feel like I’m “in the flow?” Question Set #2 Who do I admire most? Who inspires me? Who do I envy? Why? Question Set #3 When am I my authentic self? When am I most genuine? When do I feel like the “real” me? Question Set #4 What pisses me off about the world? What drives me crazy? What do I want to change in the world? Question Set #5 Who do I want to help most? Who can I make the biggest impact upon? Who can benefit most from my help? Why? Question Set #6 If I were given unlimited resources, how would I choose to contribute? If I were given $1,000,000 to give away, how would I distribute the money? Question Set #7 How do I want to be remembered? What do I want my legacy to be? What would I want people to say about me at my funeral? Kick-Ass Reflection • What do you notice about your answers? • Do your answers : – Relate to the “work” you’re doing on a daily basis (within your organization, volunteer work, etc.)? – Reflect how you are living your life right now on a personal level? – Reveal what you want to do and/or how you want to be in the future? Inspirational video What drives your life on a daily basis? What’s most important to you? Rick and Dick Hoyt The Story of Team Hoyt Exercise: Values Tags • Value Tags – Answers the question, “What are THE MOST IMPORTANT things in my life right now?” – Your values are the principles, standards, and qualities you consider worthwhile or desirable. – Values typically guide your actions and decisions on a daily basis. – Your values are an integral part of your purpose, since both values and purpose are at the core of how you live every day. Bill’s Top Values 1. Fitness/Health 2. Personal Development /Growth 3. Wisdom 4. Knowledge/Learning/ Education 5. Spirituality 6. Family 7. Creativity/SelfExpression 8. Friendship 9. Accomplishment/ Achievement 10. Expertise 11. Integrity 12. Harmony Value Questions • Why are these particular seven values most important to you? • What is (are) the biggest challenge living your life according to your top values? • How are your current choices and actions aligned with your values – for better or for worse? • Now that you’ve identified your most important values, how might they impact your life in the future? Living Statements • Your living statements are words and sentences that guide your life. It may be the words that define your job/career/calling/vocation and/or your actions and decisions on a daily basis. By the end of today, you will create the following: – Life Motto (how you want to live every day) – Mission Statement (heartfelt work that impact others) Characteristics of Statements • Original. These are your words that describe you, not the words of what you think others would like to hear. • Personal. It describes how YOU really want to live your life on a daily basis. • Emotional (in a positive way). When you read it and say it, it brings a smile to your face and joy to your heart. • Purposeful. It gets you excited to get out of bed every day and compels you to do something good. Characteristics of Statements • Descriptive. When you say it to yourself, it really describes you. When other people hear it, they say, ‘Yep, that’s you!” • Easy to remember. Your statements should be easy to say and easy to remember. You want statements that rolls off your tongue easily. • Everlasting. Your statements could be the words that describe your legacy - may even be the words you would want written on your tombstone! Exercise: Impactful Words • 4 screens of impactful words. • 33 words per screen. • These are words that: – – – – Are important to you. Describes you – or others use to describe you. Resonates with you most. Could be related to your values and strengths. • In your workbook (p. 8), choose 3-6 words from each screen that appeal to you the most. Impact Words 1 Abundance Change Courage Acceptance Children Creativity Accomplish Choice Curiosity Achievement Clarity Discipline Adventure Comfort Discover Appreciate Communication Diversity Attractiveness Community Dreams Authenticity Compassion Education Balance Competition Encourage Beauty Contentment Energy Believe Counsel Enthusiasm Impactful Words 2 Environment Equality Excellence Excitement Experimentation Exploration Facilitate Faith Family Fitness Flexibility Forgiveness Freedom Friendship Fun Giving Global Goodness Grace Gratitude Growth Hard Work Harmony Happiness Heal Health Honesty Hope Humility Humor Individuality Influence Innovation Impactful Words 3 Inspire Integrity Intelligence Joy Justice Kindness Knowledge Leadership Learning Legacy Leisure Lightness Longevity Love Loyalty Luxury Mastery Motivate Nature Nurture Organize Openness Optimistic Originality Partnership Passion Patience Peace Perform Persistence Perspective Play Power Impactful Words 4 Prosperity Purity Purpose Quality Reflect Relax Relationships Religion Resilience Respect Responsibility Risk Security Self-Control Sincerity Speed Spirituality Spontaneous Sports Stability Strength Structure Support Teamwork Transformation Trust Truth Unity Vision Volunteer Wealth Winning Wisdom Impactful Words Choices • If you have any words that aren’t listed in this section that you would like to include, write them down. • Once you have your list of words, narrow down your list 4-7 words that resonate with you the most. • Circle, place a check, or write down these words. Exercise: Life Motto • The Life Motto: – Describes – in seven words - how you want to live your life every day. – Focuses on the present and future. – Inspired by the Six Word Memoir project through Smith Magazine. Life Motto? • Why a Life Motto? (from dictionary.com) – A motto is: (1) a maxim adopted as an expression of the guiding principles of a person, and (2) a sentence or phrase expressing the spirit or purpose of a person. • Why seven words? – In numerology circles, the number “7” is seen as being spiritual, reflective, introspective, and possessing wisdom and completeness. • Note: Write the Seven-Word Life Motto book with 777 life mottos that’s 77 pages by 7-7-2014. Creating a Motto • As you review the answers to your kick-ass questions and your list of impactful words, pick out a few that stick out the most for you. • Your Seven-Word Life Motto can be: – One statement; – A series of small statements; – Seven individual words; – Or any combination of statements and/or words that work best for you. • If you aren’t sure what to write, ask for help in constructing your motto. Bill’s Life Mottos How I live my life every day Dream Big. Live with Purpose. Inspire Others. How I serve others in my work Cultivating heartfelt purpose and dreams every day. Life Motto Examples • • • • • • • • • • Improve myself. Strive for growth. Satisfy dreams. Never be afraid to make an impact. Help others. Bring about change. Show success. Clearly conscious, serving God and people faithfully. Keep perspective. Inspire. Be joyful. Live today. Live intentionally. Be for others. Cultivate peace. Persevere through challenges. Achieve success. Gain wisdom. Make each moment inspiring with life’s beauty. Ambition should be stronger than any fear. Play every day. Live for each moment. Exercise: Interest Areas 3 screens of areas you might be interested in working in or knowing more about. About 25 Interests per screen. Make your choices based on: Areas you could see as your chosen profession. Things you want to learn more about or do as potential projects. Gets you excited and inspired! Might be tied to the things you value most. Write down 1-3 choices from each screen that appeal to you the most (p. 9). Note: It’s okay if you don’t choose any interests from a particular screen. Interest Areas 1 Agriculture Architecture/Gardening Business/Entrepreneurship Communication/Broadcasting Counseling Culinary Arts/Food Economic Development Energy Entertainment Family Issues Government/Politics History Information Systems/Services Animal Care/Animal Rights Art/Design/Creativity Clothing /Fashion Construction/ Home Repair Dance/Creative Movement Defense Education Engineering Environment/Nature Finance Health/Nutrition Hospitality/Event Planning Interest Areas 2 Justice/Law/Human Rights Leisure/Play/Recreation Life/Health Sciences Management/Administration Music Peace/Conflict Exercise/Fitness Physical/Natural Sciences Psychology Sales/Selling Sports Technology/Computers Travel/Tourism Landscape/Plants Transportation Social Media Managing Money Organizational Development Performing Arts Philosophy Politics Global/International Issues Religion/Spirituality Teaching Trade Interest Areas 3 Employee/Employer/Labor Issues Interior Design Children Issues (Care, Protection) Disease Morals/Ethics/Character Movies Life Coaching Real Estate Research Volunteerism Investigation Community Development Beauty Immigration Charities/Non-Profits Philanthropy Housing Literacy Personal Development Public Safety Relationships/Sexuality Violence/Terror Women’s Issues Journalism Writing/Publishing Men’s Issues Interest Areas Choices • If you have any interest area that isn’t listed in this section that you would like to include, write it down. • Once you have your list of interest areas, choose up to 3 that have the most significance for you. • Circle, place a check, or write down the 3 that resonate with you the most (p. 9). Exercise: Interest Area Statement Describes the interest area(s) you would like to explore/investigate/learn more about – in 1 sentence! Your sentence should encompass the following: Your interests area… Why you have an interest in that area or What you can provide in that area When complete, write out your sentence (p. 9). Note: You may want to write a sentence for each of the areas you have chosen. Interests Sentence Guidelines Things to include in your interest area sentence: I am here to… I provide… I share… I facilitate… - I offer… - I do… - I create… Remember to include: Your interests area… Why you have an interest in that area or What you can provide in that area Remember, only 1 sentence! Exercise: Serving Others • 3 screens of individuals/groups of people you might want to help. • About 25 Groups per screen. • Make your choices based on: – People/groups you want to impact. – People you want to serve. • Write down 1-3 choices from each screen that appeal to you the most (p. 10). Note: It’s okay if you don’t choose any groups from a particular screen. Serving Others 1 Athletes Business Owners Small Children Communities/ Neighborhoods Deaf/Hearing Impaired Disaster Victims Entrepreneurs People with Heart Problems High School Students Business Executives Middle Class Families People with Speech Problems Kids in Foster Care Blind/Visually Impaired Cancer Patients College Students Creative People Delinquents Elderly/Seniors Females Gangs Homeless People Farmers Specific Ethnic Groups People from Other Countries Student-Focused Organizations Serving Others 2 Hungry Illiterate Immigrants Infants/Babies Kids in Kindergarten Kids in Elementary School Males Marriages Mentally disabled Middle Age adults Middle School Kids Minorities Orphans Physically Disabled Pregnant Adults Pregnant Teens Raising Families (including your own) Families in Emotional Crisis Animals Environment/Nature People who want to be Healthy People looking for Partners LGBTQA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Questioning, and Allied) Serving Others 3 Preschool Kids Teachers/Professors Professionals People who are Sick/Terminally Ill People with Special Diseases Substance abusers Teen mothers Lower-Class Families/Poverty Volunteers Young Adults Runaways Religious Organizations Laborers Prisoners Managers/Executives People in Rural areas Single Moms/ Dads People with Special Needs Non-Profits Teenagers Veterans/Military Upper-class Families/Wealthy Youth Fathers/Mothers People in the Arts Administrative/Support Staff Serving Others Choices • If you have any groups that aren’t listed in this section that you would like to include, write them down. • Once you have your list of groups, choose up to 3 that you would you like help/serve the most. • Circle, place a check, or write down the 3 that resonate with you the most (p. 10). Exercise: Serving Others Statement Describes how you want to help/serve others – in 1 sentence! Your sentence should encompass the following: Who you want to help… What you can do to help them. or How they will benefit from your help. When complete, write out your sentence on p. 10. Serving Sentence Guidelines Things to include in your serving others sentence : I provide… I help… I give… I assist… - I serve… - I work with… - I offer… - I aid… Think about: Who you want to help… What you can do to help them. or How they will benefit from your help. Remember, only 1 sentence! Exercise: Mission Statement • This exercise will have you create a mission statement, a statement that defines the work you want to do with the group you’d like to work with. • Think of your statement as your instructions to get out of bed each morning. Your statement may also include a problem you have been designed to solve, as well as the specific action you will take solve it. • One catch: Your mission statement needs to be written – in 77 words or less! • Use the space on page 11 to write your statement. Mission Statement Guidelines • Use all of the information from the previous exercises to construct your statement. • Write your mission statement in the present tense, as if you’re already doing it. Use phrases such as “I am” and “we are” vs. “I may,” “we will try,” and “I hope.” • Make sure it’s a mission for your life that YOU want to follow, not something you are doing to make someone else happy. • Remember, it’s the thing that’s going to get you out of bed in the morning! Mission Statement Starters • You may want to start your mission statement off with one of the following: – – – – – I provide (something) to/for (someone). I help (someone) by (doing something). I help (someone) do/achieve (some benefit). I work with (someone) so that (get some benefit). I offer (something) to (someone) so that (get some benefit). – I am here to (do something), (help someone), and/or (give some benefit). Bill’s Mission Statement I am here to inspire students, faculty, and staff in higher education to “find your why” and “make college matter.” I offer classes and workshops that answer the questions, “What am I here to do?” and “Who am I here to serve?” I create and provide opportunities and resources for others to connect with their spiritual self in order to discover the meaning of life and pursue heartfelt dreams so that they can lead purposeful, passionate lives. (77 words) Living Statement Thoughts How do your living statements feel as you read them - do they inspire you? Do they fit how you are currently living your life? Do they seem to match where you want to go with your life in the future? To make them more a part of your life, share your statements with others. Put your statements in places where you can see them every day. Begin each day with a promise to live your Life Motto and your Mission Statement. Self-Reflection Exercise • “I Am” Poem – A poem about you. – Provides you an opportunity to reflect on your life in various ways. – Challenges you to think about the important things in your life. – The goal is to complete as much of the poem as you can in 15 minutes. – Poem instructions (p. 12), examples (p.14) and worksheet (p. 14). Additional Resources Strengths Character Strengths – VIA Character Strengths (http://www.viacharacter.org/www/) Top 7 Character Strengths - Zest, Spirituality, Creativity, Hope, Gratitude, Honesty, Perseverance Work Strengths – StrengthsQuest/StrengthsFinder (http://www.strengthsquest.com/home.aspx and http://www.strengthsquest.com/content/File/143324/All_ 34_Themes_Full_Description.pdf Top 5 Work Strengths – Maximizer, Futuristic, Positivity, Activator, Connectedness Look Familiar? Mission statement Educational Support Services at Northern Arizona University will be a leader in the Southwest – cultivating educational access and student success by helping students achieve their college dreams. Each year, Educational Support Services helps more than 9,000 students recognize their potential and pursue their academic goals. Values • Student success, academic achievement, and retention • Customer service • Diversity • Integrity • Innovation and collaboration • Supportive healthy working environment REFLECTIONS ON DAY 1… Great Quote “The secret of success is to make your vocation your vacation.” Mark Twain Inspirational Video So, how do you want to live your life? Childhood Dreams: How to Live Your Life Dr. Randy Pausch (Space for reflection and notes on page 15) Exercise: Gratitude List • Gratitude is define as “a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation.” (World English Dictionary) • So, what are you truly grateful for? • Provides you an opportunity to think about (and create a list of) the things in your life that make you happy. • On the bottom half of page 15, take a few minutes to write down 15 things that you are grateful for in your life. Gratitude List Pair-Share • Once you have your list, find a partner and take 1-2 minutes to share: – Some or all of the items on your list. – Your thoughts and feelings on creating a Gratitude List. – How you the “Gratitude List” exercise in a personal and/or professional development setting. My Life Self- Assessment • My own personal coaching tool create to have people review the good and bad in their life. • Two parts: – Importance – is this area important to me? – Grade – how well (or poorly) am I doing in this area? • After importance and grading, give yourself an overall grade for your life, as well as a brief explanation as to why you gave yourself this grade. The Good and Bad • On page 17, review the results of the selfassessment and write down: – Three things that are really good in your life right now. – Three things that are a challenge for you right now. – Three things you need to address in your life right now. • Use this as an opportunity to think about a change you might like to implement to take 30-Day Life Change Challenge • Program created this past Spring to coach small group of students to make a change in their life. • Inspired by a change video (most about it on next screen) • Identify ONE thing that you would like to add, subtract, change, and/or improve. • Must be something that YOU desire, not something other want or expect from you. • Then, JUST DO IT! Inspirational Video Now, what do YOU want to change? Try Something New For 30 Days TED talk = Matt Cutts (Turn to page 18 for more info) Categories Family/Friends Health/Well-Being Recreation/Fun Travel/Adventure Relationships Religion/Spirituality Work/Career Education Personal Growth Community/Service Money/Finances Lifestyle/Social As you watch the video, come up with something you’d like to do for yourself (page 18)! Group Share • • • • Share your 30 Day Challenges Give Feedback Offer suggestions for moving forward Other thoughts: – What do you need to do to stay on track? – What tools can you use to monitor your progress? – (use worksheet on page 19) – Who can you get to help you stay on track – or better - do the 30-day challenge with you? Inspirational Video What do you want to be, do, or have? How do you really want to live your life? The Bucket List (Movie) Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson Bill’s Bucket List Bucket List Categories Family/Friends Health/Well-Being Recreation/Fun Travel/Adventure Relationships Religion/Spirituality Work/Career Education Personal Growth Community/Service Money/Finances Lifestyle/Social Note: As you watch the movie, jot down some ideas on what you’d like to include on your “bucket list” in your workbook on page 22 (at least 10 and up to 25). Bill’s Dream List (1) • Create “something” that makes an impact on the lives of others on a grand scale (preferably in higher education). • Obtain a paid speaking engagement in a tropical, resort-like place (like Hawaii). • Spend more quality time with my daughters. • Be a more loving, passionate, attentive husband. • Write/publish a book, most likely in self-help/selfimprovement. Bill’s Dream List (2) • Own a home that has enough space for an office/library and workout room, as well as have a screened-in porch on a lake (preferably in the south and near mountains). • Have a million dollars in my retirement account in ten years. • Create a core group of (at least) five people who meet (in person) on a regular basis to take our lives to higher levels (professionally and/or personally). • Participate in a 10-Day silent mindfulness retreat. Inspirational Quote “ A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.” Rosabeth Moss Kanter Vision/Dream/Inspiration Board Your vision/dream/inspiration board can serve as a tool to: Inspire you to move you towards a more powerful future. Visualize your dreams. Clarify your short-term and long-term goals. Focus your energy on the important things in your life. Encourage action and attract opportunity. Things to include • • • • • • • Pictures (people, places, things, etc.) Drawings Paintings Inspirational Words Inspirational Quotes Lyrics to a song And anything else that appeals to you… Board Categories Family/Friends Health/Well-Being Recreation/Fun Travel/Adventure Relationships Religion/Spirituality Work/Career Education Personal Growth Community/Service Money/Finances Lifestyle/Social Alternative Exercise: Mind Map • A mind map is a diagram that uses pictures and words around a central theme. • Best way to describe a mind map is to think of a tree with many branches. • For today, the central theme of your mind map will focus on the future – whether you to explore all areas of your life or just some aspect(s) of it. • There is no right or wrong way to create your map. • You can use poster board to create your map. • Instructions to create a mind map are on page 34. Mind Map Categories Family/Friends Health/Well-Being Recreation/Fun Travel/Adventure Relationships Religion/Spirituality Work/Career Education Personal Growth Community/Service Money/Finances Lifestyle/Social Gallery Walk Silent Reflection Activity • Walk around room to view boards. • No talking allowed; nodding your head is acceptable. • Once you’ve reviewed all boards, go back to your seat. Board Pair-Share • Find a partner. • Share your board (or map) with the other person. You can share as much or as little as you desire. – Share the different aspects of your board. – Talk about the “why” of your board (what’s the meaning behind your board). – How you feel about the process of creating a board. – How you intend to use your board. • You will have 10 minutes (5 minutes for each person) to complete this activity. “Dream Big” Philosophy What do you want? (Dream) What’s stopping you? (Obstacles) How do I make it happen? (Action) Who can I get to help me? (Support) The Dream Killers • “The Obstacles” – – – – – – Undesirable Habits (procrastinator, indecisive)… Negative Beliefs (I can’t, I’m too)… Unhealthy Relationships (family, friends)… External Distractions (economy, weather)… Fears (failure, rejection, change)… Lack (time, money resources)… Dream Success Friends (Supportive, Positive People) Facts (Relevant Information) Faith (Belief in the Process) From Cheryl Richardson, life coach Dream Digging • For the first part of this exercise, you will be asked to come up with three different dreams to work on. These three dreams must: – get you excited about pursuing them. – would challenge you more than you ever imagined. – are really big! • Make sure that your dreams: – – – – are specific. have deadlines. have ways to help you measure your progress. is something you can really do. • Think of dreams that could change your life! Dream #1: Professions • Your first dream needs to be related to work, career education, money or finances. – Examples: • Complete a bachelors, masters, or doctorate degree by 2016… • Join a professional organization in my field by December, 2013… • Save at least $1,400 by the end February for to attend a life coaching workshop… • Come up with at least 5 ideas for a new business by January, 2014… • Identify 10-15 schools for graduate programs in education… • Connect with at least one NAU faculty/staff member as a mentor by December, 2013… • Create a retirement account to save $1,000,000 in 20 years… Dream #2: Associations • Your second dream needs to be related to health, well-being, family, friends, relationships, spirituality, religion, personal growth, lifestyle, social, or self-management.. • Focus on the relations with yourself and/or with others. – Examples: • • • • Spend at least 15 minutes a day visiting and/or talking with family… Weigh 135 pounds by December, 2013… Volunteer at least 5 hours a week walking dogs for ASPCA for one month… Find a loving, intimate partner through on-line service (like match.com) by December, 2013… • Do at least 15 minutes of meditation 5 days a week, starting September, 2013... • Clean up the clutter in the basement and garage by December, 2013… Dream #3: Fun • Your third dream needs to recreation, travel, and adventure – doing something FUN! – Examples: • Go skydiving by the end of October, 2013... • Take a week-long vacation to Hawaii by June, 2015… • Hike at least 25 miles along some part of the Appalachian Trail during summer (2014)… • Finish in the top 3 of a running race by December, 2014… • Learn to kayak by May, 2013… • Buy a ping pong table for family by December, 2013… Idea Exchange Idea Exchange Process You will share your dream with another person. Each of you will take turns to try to come up with as many ideas as possible for the other person. Don’t discuss the value or how realistic the idea might be – just give ideas! Think outside the box! Write down all of the ideas that come from your partner. Brainstorming Example One of my dreams… To create an “entity” (either a center or institute) that provides research, trainings, workshops, classes, conferences, etc. helping people find their purpose and pursue their dreams, then teach these strategies to help others do the same. For example, the center/institute would offer 1-credit classes or day-long retreats to non-traditional students (25 years or older) in the community are self-directed and trying to decide whether to go back to school, start a business, work, or something else. Once completed, they would have the option to participate in “life coaching” (as part of the program) to move forward in creating an ideal life. I need your help…could you give me a few ideas? (You will have 1 minute to write down at least one idea on index card at your table.) The Dream Continued… After you’ve gotten ideas for your dreams, you will need to do two additional tasks: Come up with three ideas that you are willing to commit to within one week to get started on one of your dreams. List one or two people (preferably from this workshop) that you would be willing to have as your accountability partner to make sure you are taking steps to get it done. Better yet…create a “Dream Team” where you help each other fulfill your dreams on a regular basis. To Increase Success… • Find people who will encourage/support you as you pursue your dreams. • Stay away from (or eliminate) negative people! • If you need help…ASK! • Don’t let your dreams die – or kill the dreams of others! • Establish meaningful connections and build positive relationships with others. It’s not what you know, It’s not who you know, It’s who knows you! Get to work!!! Rustout is the slow death that follows when we stop making the choices that keep life alive. It’s the feeling of numbness that comes from always taking the safe way, never accepting new challenges, continually surrendering to the day-to-day routine. Rustout means we are no longer growing, but at best, are simply maintaining. It implies that we have traded the sensation of life for the security of a paycheck… Rustout is the opposite of burnout. Burnout is overdoing. Rustout is underbeing. Richard Leider and Steve Buchhoz, “The Rustout Syndrome” Vision Map • The Vision Map will have you define specific activities that you will do within the next five years, based on the 10 categories listed on page 24. • For this exercise, see if you can come up with at least 10 things to include in your map on page 25. • Example – Bill’s Vision Map Exercise: Mapping the Journey • This exercise will have you look at what you specifically need to do to align more clearly with your values, dreams, and purpose in the “work” that you do. • Use this exercise to identify the most meaningful resources that could be useful to help move forward.” • Use the worksheets on page 28 and 29 to write down a few of the things you may need to do to create the “work” that’s meaningful for you and the people you serve. • Example: Bill’s Worksheet Worksheet • Activities/work that fulfills you, that flows, work you desire • Involvement in professional organizations and associations • Completed degrees, certificates, trainings, workshops • Name/Type of business created • Product created/services offered • Recognition/awards received • Useful mentors, associates, contacts • Income earned/sales achieved • Values, purpose, strengths, interests • People you’re working for/people you’re working with • Ideal company/work environment • Benefits received for others from your great work • Amount of time at work and on vacation • Location, location, location • Other stuff (i.e. job titles) Inspirational Video How can you make an impact in your work? Drew Dudley (TED Talk) Everyday Leadership: Lollipop Moments (Space for reflection and notes on page 30) Reflection • Think of a time when: – You had a lollipop moment when someone gave you help to achieve something, or – You created a lollipop moment for someone else when you helped them achieve something. • On page 30 of your workbook, write down your lollipop moment(s). • This reflection will hopefully inspire you to create a “Vision of Your Great Work.” Vision of Great Work Here’s your opportunity to take all that we have done over the two days and create a vision for the work you are here to do. Look 5 years into the future; think about what this work might look like. If you are a director or supervise people, you may also want to share how you want to integrate the vision of your staff with the vision of your work. Write your vision as a free-flowing paragraph or as a list of bullet point. Visioning Thoughts Articulate or Illustrate what your “mission work” would be. How will you create meaningful educational experiences for the people you serve? Write about actions you can take in your current role. What would your ideal position/job/role look like? What would you be doing? How would you feel? What impact would you be making? Who can you get to help you create/expand/change your “work?” Create “next steps” to move you toward your ideal “work.” Visionary Thoughts • After you create the “Vision of your Great Work,” – Ensure that this vision matches the things you are currently doing that you enjoy the most, including the work you do, your involvement in extracurricular activities, your involvement in professional organizations/associations, etc. – Check to see if your current actions (on an everyday basis) are moving you closer towards or away from your vision. – Identify people who can help/support you achieve your vision. – Come up with small things you can do every day to help you move towards the vision of your work. – And lastly, ask yourself this question: “Does this vision of my work inspire me?” Vision for Your Unit • Create a vision for your unit, projecting to June 30, 2014, including the following: – – – – – – Number of students you serve… Description of modifications to current programs… Addition of new programs… New workshops, trainings, etc. offered… Potential funding opportunities… Exposure of unit within and outside campus (i.e. conference presentations, articles, media exposure)… – Anything else that enhances the work of your unit… Letter to Self By the end of the year (December 2013), what will you need to be reminded of, and what will motivate you to: Live your life based on your values… Follow your Life Motto and Mission Statement… Something you’ve changed for the better… Pursue one of your dreams… Following your vision for work and/or for life… Write your letter on page 32 of workbook. Use the other side of the sheet if you have more to write. Inspirational Quote “The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” David Viscott Please complete the retreat evaluation of page 36 of your workshop. Your feedback is very much appreciated! Thanks a million! Thank you for this opportunity! Contact info Bill Johnson (William H. Johnson Jr.) Office of Life Planning and Personal Development School of Health and Human Sciences University of North Carolina at Greensboro Phone - 336-207-6795 E-mail - [email protected] Blog - http://thedreamdean.wordpress.com Web Sites - http://www.uncg.edu/hhs/ssc (work)
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