DYLOP Questions Answered

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, however, it is never the perfect time.   

What I can say is 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.  While Design Your Life on Purpose is a wholistic life approach, including career, it 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 here’s 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, to be 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 make it explicit, 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 things I am not comfortable sharing, even 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 not 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.  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. 

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.