creating a compelling future

Warning – This is a working session!

Actual work and thinking will be

necessary!

Creating a Compelling Future

Before we start

• Think of something compelling you would like to achieve (x 2)

– It must make a positive change in your life

– 3-6 months into the future

– Must be in your control

– Make it big enough……

Leonardo Da Vinci accomplished amazing things.

Of course, back then, there were 24 hours in a day.

- Anonymous

What would happen?

• What would happen if this financial crisis become a reality?

Success

• What does it mean to be successful?

– What are you really meant to do?

– Are you currently doing it?

“There are hundreds of paths up the mountain, all leading to the same place, so it doesn’t matter which path you take. The only

person wasting time is the one who runs around the mountain, telling everyone that his or her

path is wrong.”- Hindu proverb

Shaping our reality

• Whatever you do, do not think of a blue elephant........

Shaping our reality

• Values and beliefs

• Thoughts

• Language

Thoughts

• Chain of despair

– Fear -> Distorted thoughts -> Depression -> Negative Talk -> Negative state

F.E.A.RFalse Evidence Appearing Real

The words we use

The words we use

StressPressure

The words we use

Peace

The words we use

Tranquillity

The words we use

• Negative words = negative chemicals

• Words affect

– Our life

– Our health

– Our reality

What motivates us?

• Pain?

• Pleasure?

• Avoidance or Acceleration

– Away

– Towards

Setting goals/themes

• Gives direction

• Improves the quality of the present moment reality

• A window to opportunity

Gratitude and Appreciation

• The practice of gratitude and appreciation:

– Getting in touch with your heart

– What is good in your life

– What is good about you

Getting from here to there!

DiscoveringWhat gives life

(The best of what is)Appreciating

DesignWhat should be the

idealCo-Constructing

DestinyHow to empower and learn, adjust

and improviseSustaining

DreamWhat might be

(What is the world calling for)

Envisioning Results

Topic

________________________

Topic

• What area in your life do you want to create a new future for

Make a positive statement in terms of what you really want to achieve

Discovering

• The best of what has been and what is:

– Internal resources

• What are the things you value most about yourself?

• What are the things that give you meaning?

• What valuable resources do you have?

• What is exiting about you?

• When do you feel most alive, most engaged and most interested?

Discovering

• The best of what has been and what is:

– Remember a wonderful experience in your life –something that stands out as a high point

• How did you feel?

• What are the good things you remember?

• How did you get there?

• If others saw you at this moment what would be their observation about your three most valuable qualities?

Discovering

• The best of what has been and what is:

– Pick a time in the future

• What is it that you would dearly like to become?

• What are the three wishes you have to change?

• What are the best characteristics you have now, would you would still like to have?

Dream

• What might be?– Imagine you could close your eyes, open them and see in

front of you, the you in five years time, just like you hoped, dreamed and wished you would be:• What is happening?

• How is your world different?

• How do you look?

• How do you think you feel?

• How are you contributing to this new world?

• What is it that you are doing that is making this difference?

• What is most exciting of what you are doing?

• What are the good things people are saying about you?

Design

• How can it be?

– What is it that you must do to become ...?

– Who can help you become ...?

• Define your Vision

– Positive and affirmative

– Is it what you want?

– Is it provocative?

Destiny

• What will be?

– What are the changes you have to make

– What skills do you have to acquire now

– What are the smallest thing you can do, right now, to start moving to this new future?

The time travel experiment

• A metaphor….

29

Persistence

“Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions

of honour and good sense”

- Winston Churchill

I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us.

Pigs treat us as equals.- Winston Churchill

In summary…

Almost at the end ....

• What would happen if this financial crisis become a reality?

• The sun will shine tomorrow and the bridges will carry the traffic...

Thank you!

f@takeaction.co.za