Workshop Design Your Life

Posted on wo 19 februari 2020 in workshop

This workshop is in response to a question from Ana and Gábor for help with finding direction in their lives. The outline below is based on the process I followed for the design of my own life with additional resources from books, websites and blog posts I have read and experimented with in the mean time.

Outline

  • Before we begin

    • Think about your evening. Think about your habits and rituals;
    • Find one activity you do in the evening that you do out of habit but that ultimately leaves you unfulfilled;
    • Replace this activity with 10 minutes of Bullet Journaling for at least the duration of the workshop.

  • Opening thought

    Sow a thought, reap a word;
    Sow a word, reap an action;
    Sow an action, reap a habit;
    Sow a habit, reap a character;
    Sow a character, reap a destiny.

  • Introduction

    • Life design is impossible... but here's what we can do
      • above all make sure the basics necessities are fulfilled: supply of food and water, shelter and security
      • focus on process not outcome
      • focus on joy and simplicity: "Does it spark joy?" Remove what does not (any more)
    • Workshop structure based on Dragon Dreaming project cycle
      • Celebrate - Dream - Plan - Do (- Celebrate - ...)

  • Celebrate - answers: "Where do we come from?"

  • Dream - answers: "Where do we want to go?"

    • Slides week 2
    • Do a mental inventory
      • Three columns: Working on / Should be working on / Want to be working on
      • Ask: Why am I doing these things? Filter using:
        • Is it vital? If yes, keep;
        • Does this matter to me? If yes, keep;
        • Are there consequences for not doing this? If yes, maybe keep. If no, drop it because it is a distraction.
    • Create a vision using a Dreaming Circle
      • of self;
      • of couple or family;
      • of group.

  • Plan - answers: "How do we get there?"

    • Slides week 3
    • Evaluate activities using a Reverse Fishbone Diagram
      • positive effects go above the line;
      • negative effects go under the line;
      • mark primary focus and all first order effects.
    • Remove activities before adding new ones;
      • Move from Complicated to Simple by focussing on the essential;
      • Move from Simple to Complex by combining essentials.
    • Apply Multiple elements x multiple functions to make a Web of goals;
      • Take elements from Mental inventory;
      • Take functions from Reverse Fishbone Diagram and your Vision.
    • Treat everything as an experiment:
      • Start simple;
      • Start small;
      • Keep it fun.
    • To dig deeper:

  • Do - Let's Go!

    Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. -- Arthur Ashe, American athlete

  • Celebrate - Start the cycle anew regularly

    • Appreciate the AHA moment;
    • Close the feedback loop by failing early, failing fast, failing often and failing better;
    • Turn failure and rejection into learning experiences: "Either things go well, or you will learn something";
    • Create daily rituals / habits to integrate celebration in your life:
      • review the day;
      • write down three (or more) things you're grateful for;
      • plan the next day;
    • Enlist the help of a partner / sangha / community to keep you motivated, accountable and to provide a sounding board;
    • Regularly check in with and review your vision, intentions, habits and roles; choose to do this monthly, on solstices and equinoxes, or during major holidays;
    • Fill out a Year Compass;
    • Try Guided Journaling

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