Questions I would ask, if I was you
When you are asked to take a Saturday and spend it with me creating a Strategic Life Map, that might generate a couple of questions. Here are some I would ask if I was in your shoes. Please feel free to ping me any others to hello@incahoots.com.au.
I don’t have time, I have so much going on and I just cannot add this to everything I am doing?
So, we are starting with the big questions, ok let’s go. When people come to this event, they always come away talking about how they should have done it years ago (they couldn’t because, I hadn’t finalised it). This is not intended to add pressure to an already stressful little human, but to say it is never the perfect time.
What I can say is this just start! Having a plan is the first step. Once you have a plan it is much easier to work out what part you can move forward on, i.e. instead of doing X you can do Y. Any progress is still progress. We often create in our minds a bunch of very complicated and perfect solutions. If you have just 1 hour a week, I know you can make great progress on your strategic life plan. Once you build some momentum then you find more space, creative solutions and more time. Spending one night per week sans Netflix will give you a couple of hours,
The decision point is, are you happy with your life the way it is and the way it’s heading. If the answer is no, then this is for you. Recently a survey by Bauer Media HerPulse 5.0, said that 44% of women were considering reinventing their career. Design Your Life on Purpose is a wholistic life approach, not just career, so that means you are not alone.
I am too old to change now?
Classic! My response, oh you must be dead then, as you are not too old EVER. On the flipside you are also never too young. If you don’t quite believe me then look at this post to give you some great examples of why being too old is not a thing.
I do not have dreams?
I know that you do, they are just under the surface, hidden, deferred until a better time. What I have seen is that through the process of reflecting and dreaming they emerge and you can start on them, even if circumstances are not completely right at the moment.
I will summarise the concept here, but for the full low down go here. We have been trained to not dream, being practical and sensible. The dreams we had as a child get trained out of us. Opening up this space, is rather magical. Once these things are uttered, or written down it is amazing how they take a life all of their own, almost like the universe was waiting for you to SPEAK it out LOUD.
If that is bit too hippy dippy for you, think of it this way. Dreaming requires us to activate our imagination and curiousity. Both imagination and curiousity are critical thinking skills required for innovation. Every organisation everywhere, has innovation as one of their key priorities, so by dreaming you will be become a more desirable employee.
My life is sorted, so I do not need this, thanks?
I love my life and it is totally heading in the right direction. Like anything, keeping it moving in the right direction requires you to focus on it. As they say ‘energy flows where your attention goes’. Plus, my experience is that if you do not reflect and dream, you might not be unearthing possibilities for you to explore. Living the life that suits you perfectly, might require you to challenge the status quo.
Why is this in person and not online (hello COVID-19)?
Great question, there are a few ways I can answer this.
We are COVID-19 safe.
The venue (Seed Spaces) has all the COVID-19 distancing elements in place and the workshop is limited to 12 people.
It won’t feel like work.
Working on a computer, in an online format, will feel the same as if you are working. This is not work in that sense and I want you to separate work from designing your life.
It requires Mono Tasking
Honouring the commitment, you have made to yourself, I know you will get much more if I ensure you are monotasking. Being in the same room will help me, help you monotask.
Analogue is better
Working with your hands, by writing, and drawing helps you make connections that are not as easy to make with the typed word, which tends to be more linear. There are a few activities that will require you to draw and choose that is easier and simpler when analogue. I also find that using this method is locks it into your brain easier and you remember it, without having to search for the course material.
I would like to bring a friend, but I there are somethings I am not comfortable sharing, even sharing with my friend, how will this work?
One of the key guidelines of the workshop is that you only share, if and how much you want to, or not at all. The choice is yours. This process does bring up things that will surprise you, things that you might have been denying and might make your eyes leak (there are often tears and no always from the participants). But we all process information differently, some people want to talk it out and others just need a moment or two to process it. There is no expectation you will share.
Also, this isn't a share with the person sitting next to you thing. This is personal, this is about your life and designing it to suit you. You are not designing your friend’s life, your partners life, your neighbours, sister, brother or dog walker’s life. This is all about you and what you want from your life, so the work is individual.
So, if the work is individual, why are there bonuses for bringing a friend?
Friends can be the best cheer squad possible. I know my friends have supported every crazy adventure I have decided is the next thing, in fact I do not think I would be as brave, without their support. Be being part of the process, they will also have a better appreciation of what you are working towards (whether you share or not), as they will also have their own adventure. So being able to support each other when you falter, is invaluable.
If I sign up to a lower package, am I getting a sub-standard experience?
When you are in the workshop space, my focus will be on ensuring the best experience for you and the group. It will not factor into my mind what package you signed up for, that will happen later in the program structure. There will be none of the “these seats are reserved for VIP’s” rubbish, I hate that stuff. It is elitist and annoying.
Why are their different packages and how do I choose what is right for me?
The packages are designed to ensure that you have the right level of support to be able to truly make use of the tools and techniques and really start to change your life towards the life that suits you perfectly. Most people need some mechanism for checking in, which is why I recommend the Orange level. This helps you check in and work through common stumbling blocks when they arise, rather than trying to download all of that in one workshop format. Liken it to a project you get at work. It is highly unlikely that you are given a project and then no-one checks in on progress, roadblocks or celebrating successes for an entire year. This project is WAY more important than a work project, as this is your wholistic life, so checking in is kind of super important.
Note also, this is NOT about a guilt session. I find people are surprised at how much progress they have made and also get clear on what the hold-up has been and get to resolving it. Sometimes, the check in can be about permission to just be; slow down and deal with stuff that has come up. High pressure this is not, there is already enough of that in the world. This is more a gentle nudge and of course celebrating what you have achieved. One final thing before we show you the levels again. If you know your strengths, then you know how they can help you achieve your dreams, more than is immediately obvious.
Could this be something we could offer our employees?
The short answer is of course. You could attend individually and your employer picks up the tab, or it can be delivered in house, as part of a broader wellbeing package.
All employers are looking for fully engaged employees. What better way to have fully engaged employees, then to have employees who are really clear on their strategic life map and what they need to do to get to their desired future.
Now, if I forgot a burning question or you wanted to clarify anything above, then please reach out at hello@incahoots.com.au.
Yours Collaboratively,
Christina MM
Design your Life on Purpose (DYLOP) program
DYLOP is designed to guide professionals who have deferred their dreams, to unearth possibilities and design their strategic life map answering the question - now what?
DYLOP attracts 2 types:
1. Know Exactly - Peeps who know exactly what they want to do, but are unsure how to do it or have some blocks to overcome
2. No Idea - Peeps who are unsure what they want to design their life around, or know what they do not want
All details about the one day are contained on this page. It is packed to the gills with everything you can ever imagine asking, such as:
· Which package would you recommend?
· What is different to other offerings?
· Is there pre-work?
· Bonuses for the first 6 registrations and if you bring a friend
What was the experience like again….
Here are the details about Designing your Life on Purpose experience of the attendees.
“We all need this. Don't waste time being aimless”
Julianna Canale - Executive Manager, Westpac
“It was my time and I was giving myself permission to invest in me”
Deb C - Connexia Change Management Practice Director
“Do it. Even if they sort of know their path its' such a great exercise and it triggers your brain. Even more so for someone that is a bit lost - Everyone can do it.”
Frida Eriksson-Moussa
Design your Life, on Purpose program
Check out the program options below. The recommended level to give you the best support for the next 12 months. Common across all packages is the workshop component, so lock in Saturday 31 July.
READY TO GO!
If you are ready to create a Strategic Life Map that suits you personally, register right here
Once registered, an invoice and details about preparation will be provided.
Is this the year that you start designing a life that suits you perfectly?
Yes, then lock the Saturday the 31st of July in your calendar and register right now. I would love to see you there and see what amazing things you can achieve in the next 12 months.
Not quite ready for the 1day DYLOP workshop
Here are some other options to get you started on designing.
DREAM QUEST
As we start moving into adulting, we let go of the ability to dream, or it gets schooled out of us. This is an absolute tragedy, and probably responsible for the deluge of sameness we get surrounded with.
People that create amazing, desirable lives are the ones that never let go of dreaming and make those dreams come true.
Dream Quest is about kickstarting that process to unearth possibilities and expand your thinking beyond your now, developing the critical super habit of dreaming. Without this super habit of dreaming it is hard to know what you are designing your life towards.
More Info here
REFLECTION REVOLUTION
Our lives were already packed with loads of things, very important and valuable things, and then Global Pandemic! The world literally stops….. It then becomes even more important to take stock, and determine whether the life you were heading towards at break neck speed, is really the life that you truly desire.
Reflection is something that you do generally do periodically, rather than an everyday habit, therefore, Reflection Revolution will be offered as preparation for Design Your Life on Purpose workshops or retreats. It is important to note, that this can be done as a stand-alone activity, still very valuable.
More Info here
Incahoots exists
To guide professionals who have deferred their dreams, to unearth possibilities to design a strategic life map that answers the question - now what?
About CMM
Christina Morgan-Meldrum (CMM) is a coach, facilitator, author, change professional and creative. She particularly loves helping people and organisations unearth what’s possible to design a future that suits you perfectly (a Strategic Lifemap).
She has cultivated the ability to walk into any industry; see what is not seen, distil what is complicated, and simplify the chaos. This skill has been forged in a deliberate and concentrated way for over 20 years, through Personal Coaching and working in Organisational Change Management.
Christina fills her time on various side hustles, blogging, creating and learning the piano. If you are looking for her, she is likely at her spiritual home JB Hi-Fi, exploring stationery stores or artisan markets.