Renew and Recharge:Redesign a Life You’ll Love

August 4-5, 2017140 McIver Building

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Bill Johnson, LDC Coach and Lead FacilitatorMegan Delph, LDC Coach and Facilitator

Life Design CenterSchool of Health and Human Sciences

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Life Design Catalyst ManifestoCreated by Bill Johnson, Life Design Catalyst Coach Facilitator

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

Bernard Baruch

This is your life. Own it.

At the start of each day, ask yourself: “What do I need to do to give a great day today?”

Don't let your past define you; recognize it, accept it and move on from it.

Take 100% personal responsibility for all choices, actions, and decision you make. Every day.

Seek to find who you want to be and what you are here to do. Find YOUR "Why.

Let exploration, imagination, creativity and play fuel your curiosity.

When an idea inspires you and fires you up, don’t wait. Act on it right away.

Be the most helpful person you know by sharing your gifts with the world.

Create a compelling, inspiring vision for your future. Then, go do it.

Life’s greatest moments reside in the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

For each moment, choose whether you want to move forward into growth or backward into safety.

Don’t be afraid to fail; see it as a life lesson, telling you to move in a different direction.

Success doesn’t happen without passion and deliberate practice. Perseverance is key.

Challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone; it’s the only way you’ll grow.

Be willing to ask for help; don’t feel like you have to tackle this journey alone.

Connect with people who will support you, help you grow, and, every once in a while, kick you in the butt.

Know yourself intimately. Live with authenticity and integrity. Become the best version of yourself.

Essential disciplines to thrive: move your body, ease your mind, embrace your health.

Always Love – love your work, love your people, and love yourself.

Find a way to connect with your beautiful and worthy self. Allow yourself to be seen.

At the end of the day, ask yourself: “Did I add value today?”

Write Your Story. Be Your Hero.

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Table of Contents

Overview of Training and Workbook Life Design Catalyst Manifesto 1 Table of Contents 2 Inspirational Words: A Great Life… 3

Story Personal Responsibility Quiz 4 Personal Responsibility Strategies 5 Personal Responsibility Contract 6 Kick-Ass Questions About Life 7 I Am Statements 8 My Life Story Worksheet 9 My Life Story Presentation 10

Purpose Values and Value Tags Activity Instructions 11 Desired Work Values, Values Reflective Questions 12 Portfolio Life, Worksheet, Inspired Work Experiences 14 Introduction to Meaningful Work, Finding Your Spark Questions 17 Meaningful Work Statement, Meaningful Work Statement Quiz 18

Aspirations Major/Career/Calling Exploration Poster 24 Calling Connections Worksheet and MindMap 26 Desired Feelings 29 Desired Dream List 31 Idea Exchange Worksheet 33 Personal Manifesto 34 Seven Word Life Motto 36 Best Possible Self 37

Connection Personal Board of Advisors 38

Kick-Start My Life Self-Assessment: Design a Life That Matters 39 Jump – Steve Harvey 41 Life Change Challenge 42 Life Change Challenge: 7-Day Commitment Worksheet 43

Other Resources My Eulogy 44 Life Word Activity 46

Contact Information 48Workshop Evaluation 49

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A Great Life…

“A great life includes something worth living for, maybe even worth dying for. A portion of a great life would be devoted to something bigger, greater, grander than yourself. Something that inspires you, energizes you, pulls you forward. Something that responds to your unique talent or touch and, ultimately, makes a difference in the world around you. A great life would naturally bring more meaning, purpose, love, laughter, wonder, and adventure to your days. And, at the end of your journey you would look back on a life of significance, rather than regret – knowing in your heart that you left the world better than you found it. Knowing that you made a difference in the lives of others. Knowing that you got something wonderful out of it, and you gave something wonderful back. A great life, of course, is not something we experience, it’s something we create.”

Dan Zadra and Kobi Yamada

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Personal Responsibility:Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life

Personal Responsibility Quiz: Are You Responsible For Your Actions and Decisions?

This quiz provides you with an opportunity to determine your level of personal responsibility in several different areas. To see where you may be having problems accepting personal responsibility, circle the appropriate response to the questions below:

1. Do you blame others for the life you have today?

All of the time Sometimes Once in a while Never (circle one)

2. Do you make excuses when something goes wrong?

All of the time Sometimes Once in a while Never (circle one)

3. Do you let others (family, friends, etc.) make choices for you in your life?

All of the time Sometimes Once in a while Never (circle one)

4. Do you ever feel sorry for yourself?

All of the time Sometimes Once in a while Never (circle one)

5. Do you feel that you need others to recognize and accept you?

All of the time Sometimes Once in a while Never (circle one)

6. Do you seek approval from others?

All of the time Sometimes Once in a while Never (circle one)

7. Do you complain about things that don’t go your way?

All of the time Sometimes Once in a while Never (circle one)

8. Do you find yourself judging others or pointing out what other people are doing wrong?

All of the time Sometimes Once in a while Never (circle one)

9. Do you feel that you have little or no control over your life?

All of the time Sometimes Once in a while Never (circle one)

10. Do you feel that you cannot control anything that happens to you?

All of the time Sometimes Once in a while Never (circle one)

If you answered “Never” to the 10 questions above, you are DEFINITELY taking 100% responsibility for your life! If you didn’t answer “Never” to all 10 questions, think about the area(s) you need to address in order to take more personal responsibility for your life!

What are your thoughts after taking this quiz? Do you REALLY believe that you are taking 100% responsibility for your life? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Personal Responsibility StrategyStepping Forward into Growth - or Backward into Safety(Adapted from Abraham Maslow)

If you think about it, life is made up of a series of small moments each day. Then you realize that life happens, not in big, giant stages, but from moment to moment.

In conversations about personal responsibility, you get to choose how you handle each moment – do you choose to step forward into growth or step backward into safety.

Use the questions to think about your life at this moment? Where are you now? Where do you want to be? What do you need to do to get where you want to go? What are you willing to do to get there?

To understand this concept, take a look at the chart to your left. Starting with the lowest level on the bottom and the highest level on the top, take a few seconds to define where you are in your life right now.

Pick one word in the chart on the left to describe the state of your life right now; use that word to complete the following sentence:

“My life is _________________________.

In a few sentences, why would you describe your life this way? What are the main reasons why you’re at this level?

Now, ask yourself the following questions: What word describes the state I want to get to in my life? Am I willing to step forward into growth – or do I prefer to step backward into safety?

Realize that to get to the next (or top) level, you MUST step forward into growth – and here’s how:

It may be easier for you to understand this concept using a point system. When confronted with a decision, imagine that you receive +1 point for every moment you’re stepping into growth, -1 point for every time you’re stepping backward into safety. If life is a series of moments, you have an opportunity to accumulate points for growth or subtract points for safety.

Decide who and where you want to be, what you want to have, and what you want to do, then use the (+1/-1) process at each moment to help make your decision – Will this decision in this moment move me forward into growth or backward into safety?

You choose.

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Extraordinary

Great

Good

Average

Fair

Poor

Personal Responsibility ContractLife Design Catalyst Coaching

I, __________________________________________________ will take 100% responsibility for my life. I will take responsibility for the consequences of all my decisions and actions, both conscious and unconscious.

From this moment, I promise to (check all that apply):

□ Accept responsibility for my past and thus, free myself to move forward towards a bigger, brighter future of my own choosing.

□ Never blame my parents, my siblings, my partner, my family, my children, my friends, my boss, my colleagues, my clients, my acquaintances, my genetics, or anyone else for my present situation.

□ Never blame external factors such as my religious beliefs, a higher power, supernatural forces, the weather, the environment, the economy, my education (or lack of one), my job, society, media, television, the internet, social beliefs, or other outside forces for my state in life.

□ Never blame my circumstances to such categories as race, culture, gender, and sexual orientation.□ Move forward and not allow my history to control my destiny.□ Accept responsibility of for my own success and failures.□ Accept responsibility for all of my choices, actions, and decisions.□ Change the way I think by engaging in constructive, not destructive thoughts, thoughts that affect my life

mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially.□ Seek associations with those who are working and striving to bring about positive change in themselves

and in the world.□ Never be satisfied with comfort and safety when pursuing my dreams.□ Make a decision (when given the opportunity), stand by that decision, and live with the consequences of

that decision.□ Live my life as a statement, not as an apology.□ Have control of my thoughts, feelings, and emotions.□ View challenges as gifts and opportunities to learn and grow, not as punishment. View adversity and

oppositional forces as preparation for greatness.□ Allow others to take responsibility for their own lives, instead of trying to fix, change, or modify their

lives in some way. My role is only to support them become autonomous and fully responsible for their own lives.

□ Forgive myself for all past errors, problems, and transgressions that hinder my ability to move forward.□ Forgive myself for all past transgressions against my own health, my own quality of life, my financial

health, my emotional wellbeing and my immediate sphere of influence.□ Forgive myself for assigning any part of the responsibility for my life to anyone but myself, or using

others as an excuse for not taking actions of my own.□ Understand that random, chaotic events will happen, but have no power to influence my life in a negative

way.□ Let go of the expectation that others will “help” me; it must be me who helps myself.□ Understand that although random events and chaos have influenced my life, they have no power to

influence my long-term joyfulness, health, or wholeness as a human.

I agree that from this day forward, I will take 100% full responsibility for my life!

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Signed: _____________________________________________ Date: _______________

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Witness: ____________________________________________ Date: _______________

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Kick-Ass Questions About Life

Take a few minutes to answer these Kick-Ass Questions About Life listed below. Answer these questions from your heart, not based on the thoughts of others or what I might want to hear. Remember, this class is about you learning more about yourself. Either type your answers or print legibly (if you write them out, make sure that it's legibly or you won't get credit for the assignment). Your answers must be at least 2 sentences for each question.

1. What’s always on your mind? What do you think about a lot? If you were in a bookstore, what section would you gravitate towards first? If you were on the computer/internet, what would you spend your time reading or searching most?

2. What are at least three things you care about most, other than family, friends, and meaningful relationships?

3. What positive things do people say about you? What do people thank you for most often?

4. Who inspires you? Who would you most like to be like? Who are your heroes, your role models? Who do you envy most?

5. What do you help with that seems natural or easy for you? What do people come to you for? When you’re at your best, what does it look like?

6. What are you amazing at doing (can be work- or life-related)? What are you great at? What do you do particularly well?

7. When do you feel most powerful, passionate, free, incredibly useful, excited, and/or inspired?

8. Who do you want to help? Who would you like to inspire? Whose lives would you like to change?

9. If you had a chance to be known for something special or unique, what would it be? How do you feel you contribute (or could contribute) to society?

10. How would you like to be seen, recognized, acknowledged, awarded, praised – now and/or in the future? What’s the legacy you want to leave behind? If you were to die tomorrow, what would you want people to say about you?

11. What is your biggest fear? What’s the thing that scares you the most in life?

12. How would you define success? And what would success look like for you?

13. What do you REALLY want for your life?

As you reflect on your answers to the questions, what do you notice about your answers? How do your answers provide you with a glimpse of what you desire in life – now and in the future? Which questions was hardest for you to answer? Why?

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My Life Story: “I Am" Statements

The I Am Statements are powerful because they are a direct way to tell the story of yourself. When you say, “I am this” or “I am that” you give very specific and direct details about who you are and how it is for you. For this activity, you will use the Power of "I Am" statements to describe where you're at in your life RIGHT NOW. These could be roles you play at work and at home, how you interact with the world, feelings you have about yourself, words that people use to describe you, and/or words you use to describe yourself.

You will need to create at least 20 statements that describe your life at the present moment. Feel free to include both positive and negative statements that best sum up the state of your life right now. There’s power behind both positive and negative statements, so make sure to include both. You may need to stretch yourself to come up with 20 statements – and that’s okay. Stretch yourself anyway. This will be one of the activities to help develop a picture of your life right now; in order to move forward and make change for the better, you need to be clear about where you're at right now. And feel free to add additional “I Am” statements on the back of this sheet.

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

I Am __________________________________________________________________________________________

When you come up with your 20 statements, what do you notice about your statements? Is there a common theme with your statements? How do you feel after writing these statements?

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My Life Story Worksheet

The My Life Story Worksheet is a tool to analyze significant events in your life. This activity addresses the question, “What experiences have made me who I am today?” Use this activity to identify personal experiences – both positive and negative - that have affected you in the most profound way. Categories to explore in this activity include:

High Points/Positive Experiences Low Points/Negative ExperiencesPositive Impactful Moments Challenging Impactful MomentsPositive Thoughts/Characteristics about Myself Negative Thoughts/Characteristics about MyselfGreatest Joys Darkest TimesGreatest Lessons Learned Deepest Fears/Things Holding Me Back

Use the worksheet below to identify at least twenty-five (25) different events, experiences, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings that make up your story. There is no limit as to the number of positive or negative experiences you decide to include – just make sure that you have at least 25 total items. You decide how you want to focus your energy on this activity; it’s your choice how you want to distribute your experiences. Don’t worry if you find that you have more positives than negatives or vice versa. Just remember that YOU get to decide what to include and exclude. Realize that in order to move forward in your life, you need to address the “stuff” that’s holding you back.

When identifying events for your story, consider key events in your life, such as your birth, graduation(s), significant relationships (such as first love, marriage, or divorce), important jobs, sport and non-sport achievements, awards received, recognition earned, projects completed, noteworthy volunteer experiences, deaths, serious illnesses, major accidents, victories you’ve achieved, crises you’ve endured, fears you have an have overcome, stands you’ve taken, and mistakes you’ve made. Also include the most important lessons you’ve learned. You want to capture the thoughts, beliefs, events and experiences that have shaped you. This activity may also provide a glimpse of the things you’d like to be, do, or have in your life in the future. This activity will also be used to create your “My Life Story Poster,” a poster that will describe “who you are.” Remember, you decide how much or little you wish to share with your classmates.

High Points/Positives Experiences Low Points/Negative Experiences

Positive Impactful Moments Challenging Impactful Moments

Positive Thoughts/Characteristics About Myself Negative Thoughts/Characteristics About Myself

Greatest Joys Darkest Times

Greatest Lessons Learned Deepest Fears/Things Holding Me Back

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My Life Story Poster

Poster InstructionsThe My Life Story Poster is a chance for you to reflect on your life. You will take the information from the “Kick-Ass Questions,” “I Am Statement” Activity, and “My Life Story” Worksheet to create a poster that tells your story. You can use a combination of pictures and words to complete your poster; feel free to create a poster that best explains your life to now. You may want to create it as a timeline, as a story of your most important events, or as a hero’s journey. The poster must be a minimum of 18" by 24"; we will provide you with poster paper. We recommend using colored markers for your poster for best effects. Please put your name on the back of your poster (not on the front). We have examples of My Life Story Posters at: https://thedreamdean.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/posters-my-life-story-spring-2016.doc" which contains examples of My Life Story posters completed in previous classes.

As part of your poster, you will also be required to include a six-word memoir - six words that is a summation of your life so far. Think of it as a description of your life - in six words. Check out the six word memoir videos below for suggestions, tips and examples:

Six Tips for Writing Six-Word Memoirs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCJyUMHaL_g Tips for writing a 6 word memoir - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSlen-udJ5A Six-Word Memoirs, the book - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBnP0DoGjRI Six-Word Memoirs: The Video Story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZOxhHXZW6o I Can't Keep My Own Secrets: Six-Word Memoirs by Teens Famous & Obscure -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TesQtK5JG68

Presentation InstructionsThe presentation will start with a "Gallery Walk," where each participant will post their poster on the walls around the room for your fellow participants to view. This SILENT Gallery Walk will take 5-10 minutes; no need to make comments, just take it all in and relish this experience. Once the Gallery Walk is complete, each of you will stand by your poster and answer the questions below. Your presentation should be approximately 1-2 minute long. DO NOT share every experience on your poster; just make sure your presentation covers the following points:

1. As you look at the whole picture of your life, what have you learned most about your life so far?2. Briefly describe one or two of the most impactful events from your past and why they had such an

impact.3. Briefly share your six-word memoir and why you chose those words to describe your past.4. Briefly describe what the experience of reflecting on your past was life for you. What emotions did you

experience as you were putting your list and/or poster together?5. How do you think reflecting on your past will help you move forward in the future?

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Values Assessment

Your values are the things that are most important to you. They are the principles, standards, and qualities you consider worthwhile or desirable. They guide your actions and decisions on a daily basis. If you notice that something isn’t quite right in your life, a lot of times it’s due to a conflict in your values. Your values have a lot of influence on your relationships, your behaviors, your choices, and your personal identity; it’s important to know and understand them in order to live a more fulfilling life! Note: As you identify your values, make sure that you are choosing the most important values in your life right now, not things that you think are important or what you would like to have in the future. This Values Assessment will have you identify the things that are most important in your life RIGHT NOW! They could be things that are important that you “live” on a daily basis – or they may be things that are important, but you don’t actually follow (but would truly like to).

Value Tags (Assessment) Activity Instructions

The Value Tags Exercise will have you identify the things that are most important in your life RIGHT NOW! They could be things that are important that you “live” on a daily basis – or they may be things that are important, but you don’t actually follow (but would truly like to). Instructions are listed below:

1. Make sure that you have 36 tags.2. Make two piles of values:

a. Pile 1: Those values that are important in your life right now.b. Pile 2: Those values that are not important in your life right now.

3. Put aside your pile of values not important (Pile 2).4. Count the number of values chosen as important in Pile 1.5. Now, working with the pile of values deemed important (Pile 1), narrow down this pile to your top 10 –

your 10 MOST important values. These are the 10 values you deem most important in your life right now. These do not need to be ranked.

6. Once you are done and have identified your 10 most important, you will then narrow down your list to the top FIVE (5) values. You will definitely need to rank order these 5, making sure that the #1 value is the MOST IMPORTANT value – the one that you can’t live without, the one that you will not compromise under any circumstance. Continue this same process with values 2 through 5, making sure to rank order them from #1 through #5.

7. Once you have your five, write down your name, the today’s date, and your list of your ranked top 5 values, from #1 to #5.

8. For each of your top five values, you will write a sentence or two for each one that guides how you make decisions and take action. This definition will provide you the framework and the definition of how you will live according to these values in your life.

9. Once you have your information written, write down/answer the 4 questions below:a. As you review your list of 5 values, briefly explain why you chose at least your top 5 values and

how they are connected.b. What do you find most interesting about your list of values? Any connections – with your

personal life and/or your professional life? Any surprises?c. Describe how at least two of your values come into play on a daily basis – either in a positive or a

negative way?d. What are at least one or two challenges to living your life according to your highest values?

What’s most difficult about living your values?e. Describe at least two instances where see your values influencing what you decide to do in the

future, in your personal and/or professional life?10. You will be sharing your list/definitions of your 5 values and the answers to the questions in #9 with your

fellow classmates.

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Desired Work Values

Every day at work, we make choices - sometimes without thinking. Believe it or not, job/career/calling choices are often based on specific work values. What follows is a list of work values that identify the rewards and/or conditions you find appealing at work, including the physical setting, job titles, benefits and earnings/earning potential.

These workplace values have a direct impact on your satisfaction with your job, with your career, and even with your life. When you understand the work values you cherish most, you can make an evaluation about whether your prospective or current employer supports those values. And if you are considering a career change understanding your values is critical to identifying a new career path. If you are currently in a position and have been for several years, are you still doing the kind of work that really suits you? Perhaps it is time for a work values check-up. Use the list below to identify five work values that are most important to you.

Desired Work Values

Advancement: To be in a job which offers me a good opportunity for promotion. Adventure: To have an opportunity to explore and seek new opportunities. Aesthetics: To be involved in studying or appreciating the beauty of things, ideas, etc. To be in a position that is

beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. Affiliation: To be recognized as a member of a particular organization Change/Variety: To have work responsibilities which frequently change in their content and setting. To do many

different types of tasks and/or using different skills in my work. Competition: To engage in activities which pit my abilities against others where there are clear win-and-lose

outcomes. Creativity: To be able to create new ideas, programs, organizational structures or anything else not following a

format previously developed by others. To engage in artistic expression. Culture/Community: To have opportunities to engage in/participate in educational, community, and cultural

events. Excitement: To be able to experience a high degree of (or frequent) pleasure and stimulation in my work. Expertise: To work in an occupation where, as I get better, others recognize my skill and begin to ask my advice as

an expert. To become an authority in whatever work I decide to do. Fast Pace: To work in circumstances where there is a high pace of activity, where work must be done rapidly. To

be able to work as fast as I can, to get as much work done in as short a time as possible. Being paid by the number of deadlines achieved or by the number of items completed.

Flexible Hours: To have work responsibilities which I can work at according to my own time schedule; no specific working hours required. To be able to choose which hours I want to work, as long as the work gets done on time.

Friendships: To develop close personal relationships with people as a result of my work activities Fun: To be in a place where I have fun and enjoyment doing my work. Entrepreneur: To be in a job where I am able to try and create new things as if I was starting my own business. To

be able to take safe risks in creating new products and/or services. Help Society: To do something that contributes to the betterment of the world I live in. Help Others: To be involved in helping other people in a direct way, either individually or in small groups Independence: To be able to determine the nature of my work without significant direction from others; not have to

do what others tell me to do. Be allowed to decide how to reach a goal and in what order to do my work; deciding what to do first and how fast or slow to work.

Influence People: To be in a position to change attitudes or opinions of other people. To be able to convince or advise people to do the things I believe they should do.

Intellectual Status: To be regarded as a person of high intellectual prowess or as one who is an acknowledged "expert" in a given field

Intellectual Stimulation: To do work that keeps my mind active and forces me to think about difficult concepts. To have an opportunity to learn about new things.

Job Security: To feel safe knowing that my job will always be there. To know that there is little chance I will lose my job. To be assured of keeping my job and a reasonable financial reward for doing that job

Knowledge: To be in a job that allows me to engage myself in the pursuit of knowledge, truth, and understanding. Location: To be in a place to live (town, geographical area) which is conducive to my lifestyle and affords me the

opportunity to do the things I enjoy most.

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Make Decisions: To have the power to decide courses of action, policies, etc. Making a Difference: To know that the world is a better place because of the work I do. Moral Fulfillment: To feel that my work is contributing significantly to a set of moral standards (to be defined by

my) which I feel are very important Personal Development: To be able to have time for personal growth, professional development, and self-

exploration. Physical Challenge: To have a job that makes physical demands on me which I would find rewarding. Power and Authority: To direct the work activities of others and have the authority, power, and control to make

decisions Precision Work: To work in situations that are very structured and there is very little tolerance for error. Prestige: To do work that others consider important, so that people will respect me and look up to me because of my

work. To be viewed by others with honor and reverence. Public Contact: To have a lot of day-to-day contact with people. Recognition: To be recognized/noticed for the high quality of my work (such as work tasks, achievements, services,

etc.) in some visible or public way. Recreation/Leisure: To be in a place where I can be involved with or have access to sports and recreation

activities/facilities. Respect: To feel admiration and appreciation for the work that I do. Risk-Taking: To have work duties which involve frequent risk-taking. To be able to take chances. Stability: To have work routines and job duties that are largely predictable and not likely to change over a long

period of time. To know exactly what I’ll be doing day-in and day-out. Supervision: To have a job in which I am directly responsible for the work done by others. Teamwork/Work with Others: To work with others toward common goals or to complete a project. Time for Family/Self: To have enough time for myself and my family. To work in an environment that has and

supports strong family values. To be at a place that provides me ample time off. Travel: To have opportunity to take work related trips throughout the year. Money/Wealth: To be in a job where I can make large amounts of money, receive great monetary rewards, and/or

accumulate great benefits (such as insurance, retirement accounts, free education) for my work. Work Alone: To be in a job where I do projects by myself, without any significant amount of contact with others. Work under Pressure: To work in situations where time pressure is prevalent and/or the quality of my work is

judged critically by supervisors, customers or others.

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Once you've completed and written down your top five (5) personal values and your top five (5) desired work values, answer the questions listed below:

As you review your list of top personal and desired work values, explain why you chose your number one for each category.

What do you find most interesting about your list of personal and desired work values? Do you notice with your personal, professional or education life? Are they connected in some way to your major and/or area you're interested in pursuing?

Describe how your values come into play on a daily basis – either in a positive or a negative way. What are some of the challenges you face when trying to live your life according to your most important

values? In other words, what’s most difficult about living your values? Describe how you see your values influencing your decisions in the future? How might they affect your

personal and/or professional life in the future?

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Portfolio Life(Adapted from “The Art of Work” by Jeff Goins)

The Portfolio Life activity will have you collect information about your “work” and “play” experiences over the course of your lifetime. Feel free to go back as far as you like in your past; make sure to include experiences that have had a profound effect on you. The goal of this activity is to list these experiences so that you might be able to identify potential pattern and connection to provide additional insight regarding your work choices in the future. The categories you’ll be exploring in this activity include:

Fee work: work based on dollars per hour; may include fees for speaking, workshops, one-time performing or visual art performances, etc.

Salary work: fixed income based on job description; pay is typically given on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.

Homework: work that you do at home; may include duties, chores, and specific “home” roles you serve as well (such as husband, father, mother, wife, daughter, son, dishwasher, cook, and/or gardener).

Study work: intentional education that contributes to any work you do, now and in the future; contributes to expertise and knowledge for a particular subject; may also include certificates, degrees, webinars, podcasts, etc.

Gift work: volunteer experiences; work that you do for free. Play: things you do for the pure love of the activity, regardless of whether you get paid or not; activities that

recharge your energy and/or lead to your overall growth.

Portfolio Life Worksheet

Your Portfolio Life Worksheet will have you collect information about your “work” experience thus far in your life. By listing them in one document, you might be able to notice a pattern/connection of the work that you’ve done in your life. Complete the information in the worksheet below as best as you can.

Fee Work - work based on dollars per hour

Salary Work - fixed income based on job description

Home Work - work that you do at home Study Work - intentional education that contributes to any work you do

Gift Work - work that you do for free Play - things you do for the pure love of the activity

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Inspired Work and Play Experiences

As you review your list of various work and play, use this activity to identify (list) the things you really like about your work and play experiences. If you cannot identify the things you like, you may find it easier to list the things that you don’t like about your work and play experiences. The ultimate goal is to identify specific experiences that would inspire and engage you in the work you plan to do in the future. Use the table below to create your list.

Things that I like/like to do in work and play experiences

Things I don’t like/don’t like to do in work and play experiences

Portfolio Life Worksheet – Bill’s Example

Fee Work - work based on dollars per hour camp counselor DJ (home parties) car carpet cutter and trimmer house sitter housekeeping cleaner dream big institute (own business) workshop presenter/trainer professional speaker

Salary Work - fixed income based on job description academic advisor computer lab coordinator assistant dean of student services director of advising, orientation, and placement

testing student success coordinator personal development coach assistant professor/instructor

Home Work - work that you do at home father husband handyman (part-time) coach (soccer) dog walker cook house cleaner

Study Work - intentional education that contributes to any work you do life coach certification: dream coach, spiritual group

coaching, wellness coaching life coach training reading: self-help/personal growth, creativity,

entrepreneurship, and coaching common knowledge on sports

Gift Work - work that you do for free Multiple Sclerosis bike rides Make-A-Wish walks American Heart Association walks American Cancer Society walks Golden Key International Honour Society (UNCG) Collegiate Entrepreneurship Organization (UNCG) On Course Ambassador/Committee Member National Academic Advising Association

Play - things you do for the pure love of the activity sports card collector reading writing/blogging meditation and mindfulness fitness/exercise sports: running, walking, tennis, racquetball,

bowling, bocce

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Inspired Work and Play Experiences – Bill’s Example

Things that I like/like to do in work and play experiences

Things I don’t like/don’t like to do in work and play experiences

I work for one person, no one works for me. Supervising multiple people. Work environment feels like home away from

home. Working with students on registration/scheduling

of classes. Work allows me to be creative and try new things. Micromanaging. Working with non-traditional (older) students. Crunching data all the time (every now and then is

okay). Presenting workshops with 10-50 participants. People looking out for only themselves. Physical activity that challenges and stretches my

mental capabilities. People who talk in circles, but never really say

anything. Provides me opportunities to read. Complainers and excuse-makers. Provides me opportunities to explore various

contemplative practices. Working with children (infants through high

school). Open sharing (thoughts, feelings, work, etc.). Must be actively engaged in experience. Creating new tools/activities/exercises. Competing against self or one other person. Being around cool people.

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Meaningful Work

This next part – Meaningful Work – will have you create a statement that defines the work that you’re here to do. If you remember, your meaningful work is work that combines the positive attributes you know about yourself and serving the needs of the world. Defining your meaningful work could be so profound, that it could help you decide your major, identify your career paths/options, create the business you want to start – and so much more. Once you create your meaningful work statement, you will take a short quiz to determine if your statement is truly your meaningful work. The goal is to create a statement that truly defines the work you are here to do!

Finding Your Spark(From “How to Live a Good Life: Soulful Stories, Surprising Science, and Practical Wisdom” by Jonathan Fields)

This activity provides you an opportunity to reflect on the ideas that might provide you a spark. Use these questions to identify the things you’re curious about, that you find fascinating, you you’d like to learn about at a deeper level, you you’d like to master, and that allows you to serve others in a meaningful way. When you start thinking about the work that you’d like to do, these questions may help you start the process of getting clear about the work that you’d like to do – now and/or in the future.

1. Am I curios about anything in particular? Is there a big question I’d love to answer? Is there a problem I feel compelled to solve?

2. Are there things that fascinate me? Is there a topic or field or thing or pursuit or even a person that I have a deep yearning to know more about?

3. Are there activities that I get lost in? Are there things I love to do where I lose track of time and would pay to be able to do more?

4. Is there something I want to master? Is there an art or field or pursuit I’d love to be really good at, maybe even world-class great?

5. Is there some person or community or being I feel compelled to help? It doesn’t have to be human; it could be an animal, a plant, or even the planet.

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Meaningful Work Statement

What if you could be clear about the work that you’re here to do? What if that work was connected to your values, your talents and gifts, and your interests? The Meaningful Work Model was developed to provide a framework to develop the “work” you are here to do, the gifts that you will share with the world, and the positive contribution you will make in serving others – all of which empowers you to become a better person. The Meaningful Work activity which follows provides an opportunity to recognize the work you are here to do, at least at this point in your life. Use this activity whenever you are at a crossroads in your life and want to explore the “work” you’d like to do.

Meaningful Work StatementThe Meaningful Work Statement activity will have you construct a one-sentence statement that defines the work you’re here to do. Use the lists to identify specific features that describe how you want to serve the world, in a way that resonates with you. Over time, this activity, in conjunction with the Major/career/Calling Exploration Poster, has been extremely effective in helping students find the right major(s) in college.

Values – Choose up to 3

Your Values are the things that are most important things in your life right now. This list of values is identical to the list you created in the Value Tags activity. As with that list, you will identify your top five values, the five most important things in your life right now. As you narrow down your list to five, it will be useful to also rank order your list, where you determine the most important (#1) value, second most important value, all the way down to the fifth most important value. Write your rank-ordered top five list on the Meaningful Work Statement Worksheet.

Accomplishment/AchievementAccountability/ResponsibilityAdvancement/PromotionAuthority/Power/ControlAutonomy/IndependenceBalance/StabilityChallenge/RiskCompetenceCompetitionCreativity/Self-ExpressionEnjoyment/HappinessEntrepreneurship/Innovation

ExcellenceExpertiseFairness/Equality/DiversityFamilyFitness/HealthFriendshipHarmonyHonesty/TrustIntegrityKnowledge/Learning/EducationLeadershipLeisure

LoyaltyNature/EnvironmentPersonal Development/GrowthRecognition/Fame/PrestigeReligionRespectSafety/SecurityService/Helping OthersSpiritualityTravel/AdventureWealthWisdom

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Talents and Gifts

This part of the meaningful work activity will have you identify your talents and gifts. These are the things that you are both good at AND you enjoy doing. Circle, highlight, or place a check next to all that apply to you, then narrow down your list up to five (5) that fit you best. Make sure you choose only those things that you’re both good at doing AND that you like to do! Note: If something is not listed below, feel free to add it to your list! Write your top five list on the Meaningful Work Statement Worksheet.

Talents and Gifts – Choose up to 3

AdaptingAnalyzing dataAppreciating thingsArrangingAsking good questionsBeing adventurousBeing fairBeing funnyBeing optimisticBringing out best in othersBuilding thingsBuyingCaring for othersCleaningCollectingComing up with new ideasCompiling statisticsConnecting peopleCookingCoordinating activitiesCounselingCreating new thingsDealing with pressureDealing with relationshipsDebatingDecoratingDemonstratingDesigningDevelopingDrivingEating healthyEncouraging peopleEnhancing beautyEntertaining others ExercisingFixing thingsFuture-thinking

Gathering informationGiving adviceGiving people hopeGiving presentationsHaving conversationsHaving funHealingHelping/serving othersImplementingIncluding othersInspiring othersLearning from mistakes Learning new thingsLeading othersListeningLiving in the momentMaking arts and craftsMaking decisionsMaking foods/drinksMaking musicMaking people happyMaking people laughManaging money Managing peopleManaging timeMeeting peopleMemorizingMotivating othersMovingNetworkingNote-takingOrganizingPainting/DrawingParenting PerformingPlanning eventsPlaying instruments

Playing gamesPlaying sportsProgrammingPublic speakingReadingRecruiting othersReflecting Remembering thingsRepairing thingsReportingResearchingResolving problemsSaving livesSelling/MarketingShowing compassion SingingSpeaking languages Spending wiselyStarting new thingsStorytellingTaking care of peopleTaking picturesTaking risksTalkingTeaching/TrainingThinkingTravelingUnderstanding law/legal issuesUsing computersUsing electronicsUsing technologyWorking on carsWorking outdoorsWorking with numbersWorking with toolsWorking with your handsWriting

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Interests – Choose up to 3

Your interests are the things that you’re interested in, areas you’re curious about, things that you’re passionate about, problems you’d like to solve, and things that make you angry or drive you crazy. You may also use this as an opportunity to think about areas you’d like to learn more about. For this part of the exercise, choose up to five interests. Note: If there are areas that are not listed that you’re interested in, add them to your list. Write your top five list on the Meaningful Work Statement Worksheet.

Government/Politics Business EntrepreneurshipFarming/Agriculture History Medicine/Medical CareToys/Games Clothing/Fashion Writing/PublishingBeauty Languages Hotels/Event PlanningCars/Driving Safety/Security EntertainmentElectronics Education Computers/TechnologyDiversity Transportation Mental/Emotional HealthSports/Athletics Children Issues Home ImprovementDance Nutrition/Food Religion/SpiritualEnergy (Resource vs. Spiritual) Music/Radio Housing/Real EstateLaw/Justice Military Math/StatisticsAnimals/Pets Families/Relationships LandscapeDesign Exercise/Fitness Theater/ActingDisabilities Aviation/Flying Plants/FlowersEnvironment/Nature Marketing/Sales Self-Help/Personal GrowthHumor Furniture/Antiques Social MediaMoney/Finance Books/Libraries CookingPhilanthropy Recreation/Outdoors Forensics/Death/MorticianBoating/Water Health/Wellness SexualityTravel/Tourism Television/Movies/Film PhotographyArts/Crafts Weather Sciences

Audience – Choose up to 3

Your audiences are the people/groups you’d like to help, those you could see yourself working with, and/or those individuals/groups that could benefiting from what you could share. For this part of the exercise, choose up to five audiences. Note: If there are people/groups that are not listed that you’d like to be involved with, add them to your list. Write your top five list on the Meaningful Work Statement Worksheet.

Business Owners Entrepreneurs AthletesYoung Children Communities/Neighborhoods Deaf/Hearing ImpairedSpecial Needs – Mentally Special Needs - Physically Disaster VictimsHigh School Students Infants/Babies College StudentsCreative People Blind/Visually Impaired High Level ExecutivesK-12 Education (Teachers, Staff) Families (includes your own) Higher Education (Faculty, Staff)Specific Medical Issues Specific Ethnic/Racial Groups Substance AbusersPoverty/Rural Areas “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) People Religious OrganizationsMothers and/or Fathers People from Other Countries Single ParentsDelinquents People in Emotional Crisis Elderly/SeniorsFemales/Males At-Risk Groups Gangs/Gang MembersHomeless People Farmers Entertainers/CelebritiesChildren in Foster Care Animals Pregnant Teens/AdultsUnhealthy People Orphans/Runaways Physically AbusedArtists/Performers Prisoners ImmigrantsVeterans/Military Marriages Single PeopleAdults LGBTQA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Asexual)

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Action – Choose up to 3

Action words describe what you will do to help others, the process of how you will provide your help, or how you interact with others. Your action words may also describe what you the action that your audience will take when working with you. Action words describe action, to DO SOMETHING! As you choose your action words, think about the connection between your action words and your values, talents and gifts, interests, and audience. For this part of the exercise, choose up to five action words. Note: If there are action words that are not listed that you’d like to include, add them to your list. Write your top five list on the Meaningful Work Statement Worksheet.

Advise Advocate Assist Build Change Coach Collaborate ConnectConstruct Contribute Coordinate Counsel Create Cultivate

Deliver Demonstrate Design Develop Direct DiscoverDream EducateEliminate Employ EmpowerEnable Encourage Engage

Enlist EntertainEvaluate Examine Explain Explore Express Facilitate Feed FosterFree Freedom Gather Guide

Heal Help Imagine ImproveInfluence Inform InspireInstruct Invite Lead Lift ListenLive Love Make

Mentor Motivate Nurture Optimize Prepare Promise PromoteProvide Pursue Reclaim Rejuvenate Restore Savor Share

Show Study SupportSurrender TeachTrain Transform Unlock Uplift Worship

Impact/Change – One or two phrases

And for this last part, take a few minutes to write one or two phrases in the space below that briefly describes the impact you believe you will make, the changes that will occur for the people/groups you serve, the benefit others will have from your work, and/or how the lives of your audience will improve as a result of your help. Use the space below to jot a few ideas for your phrase(s); write your final phrase (or two) on the Meaningful Work Statement Worksheet.

You will use your results from the Values, Talents and Gifts, Interests, Audiences, and Action categories, as well as your Impact/Change phrase, to develop your Meaningful Work Statement.

After you've come up with your list of “words” from the various activities, it’s time to come up with ONE sentence that sums up your Meaningful Work – the work you’d like to do, who you'd like to help, how you’d help them, and the impact you will have and/or the change that will occur. Your meaningful work statement is a declaration that defines your contribution, your positive impact on others, and how your work will make you a better person. You may also decide to create multiple statements, especially if you have multiple interests and/or multiple audiences. Multiple statements may provide you an opportunity to select one statement to start with right away or find ways to combine/connect multiple statements into one. Remember to limit your statement to just ONE sentence to make this process easy for you. Below are several templates that may help you construct your statement; feel free to modify as you see fit – or combine statements that suit your needs. The best way to start this activity is to take your first choice of words in each category (talents, and gifts, interests, audience, and action) and see if you can come up with statement to start with, then modify accordingly. As you construct your meaningful work statement, keep these three questions in mind:

What do I do? Who do I help? Why does it matter?

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Meaningful Work Statement Worksheet

Meaningful Work Statement Sample Templates - fill in the template(s) blanks with at least one choice from each of the areas listed above. Feel free to choose one or both templates below):

Because I value __________ (value) and have an interest in __________ (interest), I will use my __________ (talents and gifts) to __________ (action) __________ (audience) so that __________ (impact/change).

My meaningful work is to use my skills in __________ (talents and gifts) to __________ (action) __________ (audience) so that __________ (impact/change), because I value __________ (value) and have an interest in __________ (interests).

Meaningful Work Statement Sample Open-ended Sentence Starters (Note: If you use one of the open ended starters, you’ll need to make sure to incorporate at least one item from each of the six items from the worksheet above):

I am here to… I will serve others (or serve the world) by…

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Action Impact/Change

Bill’s Example: Because I value wisdom and personal growth/development and have an interest in self-help and well-being, I

will use my talents and gifts in group facilitation and connecting people to empower students, faculty, and staff in higher education AND people at a crossroads in life to optimize their lives to make a positive contribution to the world and become better people.

Use the space below (or a separate sheet of paper) to come up with your final statement. Feel free to construct multiple statements if you have multiple interests, multiple audiences you wish to serve, etc. We will test you on your Meaningful Work Statement in the next class.

Potential Meaningful Work Statement CheckupAs you try to decide on the ONE Meaningful Work Statements, here’s a way to test whether this statement is aligned with your values, talents and gifts, interests, audience, and impact/change. Use the questions and the scale below to determine the right meaningful work statement for you:

3 = a lot 2 = some 1 = a little 0 = none

1. How much is this meaningful work tied to my personal core values and/or desired work values? _____2. How much would I be able to include my talents and gifts in doing this meaningful work? _____3. How much is my interest(s) tied to this meaningful work? _____4. How much empathy do I have for this particular audience if involved in this meaningful work? _____5. How much of an impact/change will I really be able to make doing this meaningful work? _____

The highest score you could obtain is 15 (higher is better); you would want to at least score a “10” to consider this your meaningful work. If your score is not a “10” or more, what change in your statement (a change that resonates with you) would you have to make to get your score to a “10?” Does your statement need to be more aligned with your values? Do you need to take more advantage of your talents and gifts? Do you need to work with an audience where you can have a greater impact?

Meaningful Work Statement Quiz The last part of this activity will have you take the Meaningful Work Statement Quiz, a Quiz that challenges how much your statement resonates with your life. Is your meaningful work truly the work that you’re here to do in this world? The six questions in this Quiz will provide you with one more test to see if this is your meaningful work. It’s a very simple Quiz – you must answer either “YES” or “NO” to each of the questions; MAYBE is not allowed.

1. __________ 2. __________ 3. __________ 4. __________ 5. __________ 6. __________

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Major/Career/Calling Exploration Poster

Do you have interest in one particular area?  In multiple areas?  Can't decide on any one particular major/area to focus on?   What are your options - as far as majors, minors, and concentrations?  What should you really pursue while in college?  It is our goal to help you find/create work that matters and to understand the difference between a job, a career, and a calling, which we have the listed below (from Job, Career, Calling: Key to Happiness and Meaning at Work? - https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/career-transitions/201206/job-career-calling-key-happiness-and-meaning-work):

Job Orientation: Individuals who fall into this category tend to view their work as a means to an end. They work to receive the pay and/or benefits to support their hobbies, family, or life outside work. They prefer jobs which do not interfere with their personal lives. They are not as likely to have a strong connection to the workplace or their job duties. The job serves as a basic necessity in life.

Career Orientation: An individual with a “career” orientation is more likely to focus on elements related to success or prestige. This individual will be interested in the ability to move upward in his or her career, to receive raises and new titles, and to achieve the social standing which comes from the career. Careers which have a clear upward “ladder’ are appealing to those with a career orientation.

Calling Orientation: Individuals with a calling orientation often describe their work as integral to their lives and their identity. They view their career as a form of self-expression and personal fulfillment. Research conducted by Wrzesniewski and colleagues find that individuals with a calling orientation are more likely to find their work meaningful and will modify their duties and develop relationships to make it more so. They are found to be more satisfied in general with their work and their lives.

This week, you will put together a "poster" (must be a minimum of 18" X 24") about your major/career/calling options, to include the following:

1. List your meaningful work statement.2. A list of at least two (2) and up to four (4) potential majors/concentrations aligned with your meaningful work

statement.  You may also choose these majors based on your personality type, your values, your strengths, your talents and gifts, your interests, your audience – or a combination of all of the above.  The goal is to provide you with at least a Plan A and Plan B for your future. If you aren’t sure that to choose, check out this "List of UNCG Majors - https://admissions.uncg.edu/forms/majors-concentrations-17.pdf” - to see the many options for majors/concentrations at UNCG.  If you can't narrow down your options because you don’t know or have to many, choose from two to four that sound most interesting - it's always better to have more options than less, especially if you're pursuing a “competitive” major.  If you have an interest in pursuing multiple majors, list these on your poster as well. You will need to list these major(s)/concentration(s) options on your poster.

3. For each of the majors that you choose (even if it’s just one), make sure to identify the specific entrance requirements to get into the major, such as GPA requirements, prerequisite courses, application forms/deadlines, and any other specific entrance requirements.  Make sure to list these entrance requirements on your poster.

4. If you have or have an interest in one or more minors, make sure to list the minor(s) and the requirements to complete the minor(s), such as number of credits, courses that you plan to take to complete the minor(s), and any other useful minor-related information on your poster. Find a list of minors here: list of uncg minors, 10-18-16.doc

5. If have interests in courses not related to major requirements but will enhance your college experience (such as courses in speaking, photography, media studies, art, music, theater, business, etc.), include those options on your poster as well.  For this category (list as “Interesting Courses”), list classes that you might take that would actually be FUN. You can review UNCG's Undergraduate Bulletin (http://uncg.smartcatalogiq.com/2016-2017/Undergraduate-Bulletin) to see the list of courses (and their descriptions) offered at UNCG.  This list of courses may also provide some information to help you choose the major that fits you best.  

6. For this next part, you will need to visit the two links below: What Can I Do With a Major In - http://www.isu.edu/career/majors/default.html Majors That Pay You Back (PayScale.com) - http://www.payscale.com/college-salary-report/majors-

that-pay-you-back Use the links above to write down the following information on your poster:

Specific areas and employers related to your major choices and/or meaningful work.

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Information, strategies, requirements, and/or experiences you need to obtain to pursue this work further or enhance your chances of finding/creating a position (graduate school, certificates, observation hours, etc.).

Average starting salary for your major - include both bachelors and, if necessary, graduate/professional degrees - in your major/meaningful work/area of interest.

7. On your poster, write down your list of courses you plan to take for the following (Spring 2017) Semester.  If you're not sure what to take, visit department web sites to see if they have suggested four-year course sequences for their majors.  

Programs of Study in the School of Health and Human Sciences: http://www.uncg.edu/hhs/advising-center/admission-major.html

8. Include a four-year plan of study of what you should take for the rest of your college career to finish out your degree. These can be found on most department websites.

9. If you have an interest in graduate school, use the link below to get a list of graduate programs in your area of interest and/or programs in a particular location/state.  On your poster, write down your graduate school interest(s), as well as a list of at least three graduate school programs that have your major/area of interest.  For example, if you want to get a list of graduate-level Physical Therapy programs in the state of North Carolina, use the link below and type in physical therapy and North Carolina for a list of schools.

Petersons Graduate School Research - https://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools.aspx10. Also list student organizations and/or professional organizations that could enhance your experience in the

major/area of interest.  List at least three student organizations and/or professional organizations that are associated with your major/area of interest. Campus Activities and Programs: http://cap.uncg.edu/

11. Feel free to include anything other information regarding your interest(s) in majors, careers, calling, and meaningful work that's pertinent to this assignment.

FOR SENIORS ONLY: If you are a junior or senior taking this course, use this as an opportunity to reflect on your undergraduate experience.  You will put together a poster that includes:

1. Your meaningful work statement, as well as your major(s)/concentration(s), minors (if any), and a list of the most interesting courses you’ve taken, at UNCG and/or other places. You can also include any special training/certifications you’re obtained to enhance your education.

2. What you are doing (and what you have done already) to prepare yourself for life after graduation. List graduate school you plan to apply to (or have applied to), potential companies/fields you plan to explore (or received job offers), a small business/side gig you plan to create (or created), or anything else pertaining to your future educational and/or work goals. List the specific areas of interests and employers related to your field, as well as the average starting salary for a degree in your major.

3. A list of student/professional organizations you’ve been involved in during your academic career, regardless of whether they were within or outside your major. Include any internships, apprenticeships, study abroad, part-time/full-time work, or any other experiences that were important and/or valuable in developing your academic/work career.

4. Briefly share your answers to each of the following questions (no more than two sentences for each question): How do you feel about your choice of a major? Are you happy with it or would you have chosen

something else? If you had an option to start your college experience all over again, what would you do differently?   List the experiences have been most meaningful and rewarding?   What has been your biggest challenge regarding your major/career choice? Feel free to add another sentence or two about anything else that addresses the positive or negative

experiences about college, i.e. choosing on a major, working with an advisor, etc.

This is no particular design that’s required for these posters. If you are sure what to do, click on this link - https://thedreamdean.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/posters-major-career-exploration-spring-2016.doc to see examples of posters from previous classes.

The purpose of this homework assignment is to get you to explore and understand your options for majors, minors, graduate school, student organizations etc., as well as to provide you with the resources to make informed decisions about your future. Remember, this is to be completed as a poster project, not as a written report.

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Calling Connection Worksheet and MindMap(Adapted from the book, “Build Your Dreams: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love” by Alexis Irvin and Chip Hiden)

The Calling Connection is a process to help you identify potential opportunities to pursue based on your meaningful work in a variety of areas. It is important that you create a meaningful work statement in order to complete this exercise. It may also be useful to link your talents and gifts to future opportunities as well. Categories include Business, Creative, Scientific/Research, Social/Political, and Teaching. Use the blank box next to each listed category to identify specific things you could pursue to get started on your meaningful work.

Business Name(s) of specific job/title/employment you could obtain… Name(s) of a business you could start/own… Name(s) of a product(s) you could create… Name(s) of a service(s) you could offer … Name(s) of a professional organizations and/or associations you

could join, create, and/or be involved in… Name(s) of consultant work you could do… Name(s) work that you could do as/with an outside contractor,

supplier, or vendor… Name(s) of marketing and/or sales work you could do promoting

this work… Name(s) of an invention you could make… Name(s) of an area where you want or could be an expert… Name(s) of an internship/apprenticeship you could get… Name(s) an app that you could create…

Creative Name ways you could write about this area (i.e. blog, magazine,

newspaper, or book)… Name ways you could use pictures, drawings, or illustrations… Name ways you could incorporate dance or some type of

movement… Name ways to use of TV, movies, video, podcasts, and/or film… Name ways to incorporate other type(s) of art, such as painting,

photography, pottery, jewelry, etc.… Name ways incorporate music, such as live music, through

radio, playing music, etc.… Name types of designs or decoration that could be used…

Scientific/Research Name ways to evaluate facts and/or opinions in this area(s)… Name ways to collect data and/or gather information… Name(s) of type of testing, analysis, and/or experimentation that

could be done… Name areas of further inquiry, exploration, or investigation… Name(s) safety, liability, or other issues that might need to be

addressed… Name(s) of a new method to do this (based on results)… Name(s) of specific types of clinical work opportunities… Name benefits/drawbacks of this work… Name best practice(s) in this area… Name(s) of types of reports you could write/produce…

Social/Political Name ways to serve as activist or lobbyist…

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Name affected laws and policies involved in this work… Name(s) of work you could do with non-profits and/or charities… Name opportunities within the local community… Name opportunities at the state, national, or international level… Name opportunities within government… Name(s) of a new legislative process… Name economic issue(s) that might be tied to this work… Name(s) of groups or specific populations that could be affected

by your work… Name(s) of a campaign/movement you could create… Name allies/mentors that could assist you…

Teaching Name ways to provide instructions/teach to others… Name strategies to be successful or to do the same thing… Name programs/activities you could create and/or develop… Name classes you could provide… Name opportunities to develop a school or educational

program… Name ways to provide coaching, guidance, or mentoring… Name alternative means to deliver learning opportunities, such as

on-line, MOOC’s, etc…. Name apprenticeships and/or internships opportunities that you

could create… Name workshops and/or trainings you could provide…

Bill’s Example

BusinessStart a self-help company; open a local self-help bookstore; work with local agencies to promote self-help work; create a new self-help process; connect with self-help organizations; organize a self-help event week; start a local or on-line self-help group.

CreativeWrite reviews of best self-help practices or self-help books; create a self-help blog; create self-help videos; write a self-help book or e-book; develop different types of creative, artistic methods to learn about self (i.e. vision boards)

Scientific/ResearchResearch benefits/drawbacks of self-help program; research best and most successful self-help programs; test/write reports on success/failure of self-help programs; acquire data to support establishment of self-help program;

Social/PoliticalCreate a self-help manifesto; start a campaign to develop self-help program in colleges and universities; organize revolution to incorporate self-help as part of curriculum; start a non-profit self-help group.

TeachingTeach self-help strategies to others; develop self-help workshops; host classes that incorporate self-help; conduct a seminar on the benefits of self-help; develop a training program for others to learn self-help process.

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Calling Connection Mind Map

A Mind Map is a visual diagram that uses words and pictures to create themes around a basic idea. The best way to visualize a mind map is to think of an old tree with many, many braches. Mind maps allow users to graphically display information on a topic; people will tend to use them to creatively brainstorm ideas. Here’s an example of a Mind Map:

http://www.learningfundamentals.com.au/wp-content/uploads/health-map.jpg

For today, we will have you create a mind map around your meaningful work. To start, write a synopsis of your meaningful work statement as your central theme in the middle of the paper. For this mind map activity, we will draw five branches from this theme: Business, Creative, Scientific/Research/ Social/Political, and Teaching. We will use the thought-provoking prompts within each of category to help extend the branches our map. Your answer to the prompts would become a branch from the main category. For example, one of the prompts for Business is ‘name a job/employment opportunity…”; you could create a branch from Business that identifies a specific job that you could obtain in that area.

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Desired Feelings

When most people think of dreams, they think of things they want to accomplish in their lifetime; however, a lot of time these dreams don't have much substance behind them. What's usually missing: Desired Feelings? Ask yourself these questions:

How do I want to feel when I accomplish my dreams? How do I want to feel when I'm engaged in meaningful work? Or work that I envision doing in the

future?

Imagine what your life would be like if your values, work, goals, and dreams were based on your deepest feelings – the things that really drive you on a daily basis. Use the list on the next two pages to pick words that describe how you want to FEEL in your life – in your work, in your play, as you start each day. Take time to not only pick words that seem to fit best with you; pick words that resonate with you at the deepest levels of your soul. So deep, that they may even evoke some type of strong, positive emotion in you when you see them, hear them, feel them! Think about how you want to feel today and every day. You may also want to identify your choices based on the question: “What feelings do I want to have with my (or in my) __________?” and use these options to complete the sentence: work, career, education, money, lifestyle, family, friends, relationships, health, well-being, fun, recreation, religion, spirituality, and personal growth. Once a desired feeling is chosen, take a few seconds to ask yourself, “Why is this feeling important to me?” That may help you narrow you’re your choices. Note: If a word is not listed here that you'd like to use, feel free to list it among your choices.

AcceptedAccomplishedAdoredAdmiredAffectionateAffluentAlignedAliveAlluringAmazedAnimatedAppreciatedApprovedArousedArtisticAstonishedAt easeAt peaceAttractiveAuthenticAwakenedAwareAwesomeBalancedBeautifulBelievableBelovedBetterBlessedBlissBlossomed

BoldBraveBreathlessBrightBrilliantBubblyCalmCapableCared aboutCared forCarefreeCenteredCertainChallengedChangedCharmedCheerfulCherishedClarityClearCleverCloseColorfulComfortableComfortedComicalCommittedCommitted toCompassionateCompelledCompetent

CompleteConfidentConnectedConsideredContentedCourageousCravedCreativeCuriousDaringDazzledDecadentDedicatedDeliciousDependableDeservingDesiredDeterminedDevotedDignifiedDisciplinedDistinguishedDivineDynamicEcstaticEducatedEffectiveEffervescentEfficientElatedElectrified

EmbracedEmpoweredEnchantedEncouragedEnergizedEnergeticEngagedEnlightenedEnlivenedEnthralledEnthusiasticEntrepreneurialEnviedEssentialEuphoricExceptionalExcitedExhilaratedExoticExquisiteExtraordinaryFabulousFantasticFascinatedFashionableFeminineFestiveFired upFlawlessFloweryFocused

FortunateFreeFreshFriendlyFriskyFulfilledFull of energyFull of lifeFunFun-lovingFuture-orientedGenerousGenuineGiddyGiftedGlamorousGloriousGlowingGoodGorgeousGothicGracefulGratefulGreatGroovyGroundedGrown-upGutsyHandsomeHappyHarmonious

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HealthyHelpfulHeroicHolisticHonestHonorableHopefulHospitableHotHumbleHumoredIdolizedIlluminatedImaginativeImpeccableImportantImpulsiveIn controlIncredibleIndependentInfluentialInnovativeInquisitiveInsightfulInspiredIntelligentIntimateIntriguedIntrospectiveInventiveInvigoratedInvincibleInvolvedIrresistibleJazzedJollyJovialJoyousJubilantJuicyKindKnowledgeableLaid-backLearnedLeaned-onLegitimateLevel-headedLiberatedLiked

Listened toLiterateLivelyLovedLovelyLuminousLusciousLuxuriousMagicalMagnificentMajesticMarvelousMasculineMatureMeditativeMellowMerryMindfulMotivatedMovedNaturalNeededNobleNoticedNourishedNurturedOptimisticOrganizedOriginalOutgoingOutrageousOutstandingOverjoyedPamperedPassionatePeacefulPerfectPerkyPlayfulPleasantPleasedPleasurePoisedPopularPositivePowerfulPraisedPreciousPrepared

PrestigiousPrettyPristinePrizedProductiveProfessionalProgressiveProminentProsperousProudProvocativePumped upPurposefulQualifiedQuietQuirkyRadiantRadicalRavishingRe-energizedReadyReassuredRebelliousRebornReceptiveRechargedRecognizedRedeemedRefinedReflectiveRefreshedRejuvenatedRelaxedReliableRelievedReligiousRemarkableRenewedRenownedReplenishedResilientRespectedResponsibleRestoredReveredRevitalizedRevivedRevolutionaryRich

RightRobustRomanticSafeSassySatisfiedSavedSecureSeductiveSelf-acceptedSelf-assuredSelf-confidentSelf-disciplinedSelf-expressedSelf-lovedSelf-reflectiveSelf-reliantSelf-satisfiedSelflessSensationalSensualSereneSerendipitousSexySignificantSimpleSkilledSmartSmoothSociableSoft-heartedSolidSophisticatedSparklingSpecialSpectacularSpiritedSpiritualSplendidSpontaneousStableStellarStimulatedStrengthenedStretchedStrongStunningStupendousSuccessful

SunnySuperSuperbSuperiorSurprisedSupportedSurprisedSweetTenaciousTendernessTerrificThankfulThrilledTickledTouchedTranquilTransformedTremendousTriumphantTrustworthyTruthfulTurned onUnburdenedUnderstoodUniqueUnitedUnlimitedUpliftedValiantValidatedValuedVibrantVictoriousVisionaryVivaciousWelcomedWhimsicalWholeWiseWittyWonderfulWorthyWowYouthfulYummyZanyZesty

Once you decide on the words that best describe how you want to feel, write down five (5) to ten (10) that fit you best. Make sure these 5 to 10 feelings best describes how you want to feel, starting today. See them, feel them, and let them soak in your consciousness. Imagine that these are the words that will bring you the focus and clarity you need to direct your life – now and in the future.

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Desired Dream List

Your Desired Dream List identifies the things you’d like experience at some point in your life. As you construct your list, choose activities, experiences, and accomplishments you’d like to complete, some by the end of 2017. Regardless of what you choose, make sure that you choose items based on how you want to feel once completed - your Desired Feelings. Use the categories and examples below to identify things that you’d like to be, do, or have that would be really important to you to pursue. Your goal is to see if you can come up with 2 desired dreams for each category. As you construct your list, make sure to be as specific as possible; for example, instead of writing, “Be a better person,” write something more specific, such as “spend at least once day a week with my family ” or “volunteer at homeless shelter once a week.” Instead of “lose weight,” state that you’d like to lose 15 pounds by December 31, 2017. Remember, this is YOUR Desired Dream List, not a list of things that others want you to achieve.

Categories

Work/Career/Education Start a business, get high school/college/professional degrees, get certificates, find job/employment, identify career/vocation, be a mentor to someone, join professional organizations and associations, create professional group

Money/Finances Increase income, reduce debt, create retirement, savings, emergency fund, limit expenses, get health benefits, reduce taxes, create budget, give to charity

Lifestyle/Social Purchase clothing, housing, vehicles/transportation, electronics and/or technology equipment, do community work, improve self-image, start dating

Family/Friends/ Relationships

Spend quality time with parents, spouse/life partner, siblings, children, relatives, childhood friends, pets, co-workers/colleagues, bosses, roommates

Personal Growth/Self-Practice

Live according to values/life purpose, work on goals/dreams, learn new skills; managing time/life, get organized, reduce clutter, eliminate bad habits, create rituals

Health/Well-Being Address physical, mental, relaxation, exercise, diet/nutrition, happiness, reduce stressRecreation/Fun Travel, adventure, sports, music, arts/crafts, hobbies, writing, add play time, cookReligion/Spirituality Develop regular practice (prayer, church attendance, etc.), read scriptures, increase belief in

higher power, faith, worship, serve those less fortunate, meditate, yoga

Examples

Work/Career/Education Write a book/e-book Host a training/workshop Find a mentor Start a business Become expert in something Get a degree/certificate

Money/Finances Create a retirement account Create scholarship for student Create a savings account Donate 10% of salary to charity Eliminate credit card debt Create a budget

Lifestyle/Social Purchase a new house or car Throw a kick-ass party Develop close friendships Be a guest on TV/Radio Volunteer at local charity Join a local club or group

Family/Friends/ Relationships Go to a show with friends Be a role model Go on a family trip Host a family get-together Make a nice dinner for partner Plan a fun day with your kids

Personal Growth/Self-Practice Learn to play an instrument Learn a new language Take a photography class Attend a self-help workshop Get rid of clutter in your room Eliminate a bad habit

Health/Well-Being Eat fruit/veggies every day Complete a 10K run Stop eating fast food Achieve a certain weight Stop smoking Relax 10 minutes every day

Recreation/Fun Learn a new art or craft Go on a long hike Travel to exotic place Participate in a new activity Go horseback riding Go sky-diving or parasailing

Religion/Spirituality Meditate 5 minutes every day Be grateful for something daily Pray every day for a month Go on mission trip Read scriptures every day Learn to forgive

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______________________________ Desired Dream List(Your name)

Work/Career/Education Money/Finances

Lifestyle/Social Family/Friends/ Relationships

Personal Growth/Self-Practice Health/Well-Being

Recreation/Fun Religion/Spirituality

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Idea Exchange Worksheet

Dream #1:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

List of Ideas______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dream #2:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

List of Ideas______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Personal Manifesto(From "How and Why to Write Your Own Personal Manifesto" - http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/02/13/how-and-why-to-write-your-own-personal-manifesto/)

A manifesto is a declaration of your beliefs, opinions, motives, and intentions. They are your “10 Commandments” for living. For this activity, you will create statements that declare how you want to live your life on a daily basis. Your Personal Manifesto functions as both a statement of principles and a bold, sometimes rebellious, call to action. What makes your Personal Manifesto so valuable is the fact that it is a constant source of inspiration to you, something that can be easily read every day. Think of your Manifesto as a promise to yourself, every day. What are the things most important to you, the things you value the most, things that will get you to jump out of bed every morning? You will need to come up with at least five (5) statements that will serve as your daily rules for living.

For this activity, use statements or phrases that inspire you on a daily basis. As you come up with your minimum of five, you may want to use statements or phrases that already exist. Feel free to use a combination of statements that currently exist, as well as statements that you’ve created yourself. Use the questions below to help you develop your manifesto. For more specific instructions, ideas, and examples, click on these links for more ideas:

Questions What are my values? What is my purpose? What was I born to do? What are my unique strengths and talents? What is it that I can do for the world? How can I use my strengths, values, ideals, and

purpose to serve my community and the world? How do I want people to remember me? What would my ideal life look and feel like? What characteristics do I aspire to and want to

cultivate? What principles do I want to live by? Who are my heroes and why? What would I do if I weren’t afraid?

Topics How you want to treat your partner. How you want to handle challenges, hardships,

struggles, obstacles. How you want to treat your body. How you want to serve people on a daily basis. How you want to learn. How you want to live your life. How you want to be remembered. What you want to achieve. Who you want to be, what you want to become. How you want to treat other people - may include

family, friends, people you meet every day. How you interact with the world.

If you need additional assistance/ideas for your statements, check out the following sites:

Why Everyone Should Write a Manifesto - http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/why-everyone-should-write-a-manifesto.html

How to Write a Manifesto - http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Manifesto How to Write a Personal Manifesto - https://daringtolivefully.com/personal-manifesto How To Write Your Personal Manifesto - http://liveboldandbloom.com/10/writing/how-to-write-manifesto How and Why to Write Your Own Personal Manifesto - http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/02/13/how-and-

why-to-write-your-own-personal-manifesto/ Finding Your Why. How to Create a Personal Manifesto - http://www.thefrug.com/finding-your-why-how-to-

create-a-personal-manifesto/ 5 ways to write an inspiring manifesto - http://www.alexandrafranzen.com/2013/02/11/5-ways-to-write-a-

blow-your-mind-manifesto/ 10 Insanely Awesome Inspirational Manifestos - http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-awesome-

inspirational-manifestos.html 10 More Insanely Awesome Inspirational Manifestos - http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/10-more-

insanely-awesome-inspirational-manifestos.html 1000 Manifesto List (Examples) - http://www.1000manifestos.com/list/

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Personal Manifesto Statement examples

Devote yourself to a mission to serve others. Live extraordinary. Make every day an adventure. Consciously choose your actions. When you’re discouraged, forget yourself and

uplift others. Plant seeds for others to harvest. Keep moving forward…no matter what. Choose long-term growth over immediate

gratification. Be an initiator, not a criticizer. Be a player, not a

spectator. Be a sculptor. Leave your fingerprints on the

hearts of those you touch. Act on your inspirations, with a relentless passion

for excellence. Don’t lie on your deathbed tortured by “if only’s.” Do what you have to do so that you can do what

you want to do. I am not held captive by fear.

While others complain about problems, I create solutions and opportunities.

I cherish innovation as a noble purpose. I make the world better, brighter, happier. The status quo is my enemy. I am proud to be a pioneer, renegade, idealist,

visionary. I am not a cog in another man’s machine. The riskiest life is playing it safe. Life’s only guarantee is my freedom to choose my

responses to circumstances. I put my money on guts over brains, tenacity over

talent. When you know what you want, you’ll know what

to do – do what matters. The only way to succeed is to follow my heart. Don’t avoid the grunt work – grunt work leads to

greatness. The world is better because you lived.

Bill’s Personal Manifestos Inspire possibilities in myself and others. Always be improving. Be 1% better every day. Be you. For you. And be cool with it. Go big or go home. Make sure that everything you do helps me grow and be the best version of myself. Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

(quote by Bernard Baruch)

[Your name here] _________________________ Personal Manifesto

1. ____________________________________________________________________________________

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2. ____________________________________________________________________________________

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3. ____________________________________________________________________________________

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4. ____________________________________________________________________________________

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5. ____________________________________________________________________________________

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Seven-Word Life Motto

Your Seven Word Life Motto defines how you’d like to live your life every day, in seven words – no more, no less. Your Life Motto should be the words that inspire you to get you out of bed in the morning.

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.

To create your Seven Word Life Motto, feel free to use words from previous activities, such as personality type, values assessment, personal core and desired work values, and character and engagement strengths.  Make sure to construct your Life Motto with words that inspire you, words that excite you, and words that will encourage you to be and do your best every day! Imagine your Seven-Word Life Motto are the words you want written on your tombstone. They could even be the seven words that describe your legacy!

Constructing Your Life MottoYour Life Motto is the story of your present and future. For this activity, it must be EXACTLY seven (7) words - no more, no less. Remember that your life motto describes how you want to live your life every day, starting today.

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 from your fellow classmates, from your friends, even from your family, in constructing your motto.

Bill's Seven Word Life Mottos How I live my life every day: Dream Big. Live with Purpose. Inspire Others. How I serve others in my work: Your best self leads to life transformation. (I've also used: “Achieving more

than one ever thought possible!” and “Magic is something I create every day.”)

Life Motto Examples (from previous classes/workshops) Weaknesses are just your few strengths unconquered. Lead others, serve others, and maintain integrity. Be lovely, be loyal, and live enchantingly. Today makes you who you are tomorrow. Be happy. Be strong. Be free. Always. Make each moment inspiring with life’s beauty. Ambition should be stronger than any fear. Live through captured moments from the past. Ambition is key. The gate is excellence. Never be afraid to make an impact. Discover daily. Lead with integrity, optimism, love. Live every day like it’s my last. Clearly conscious, serving God and people faithfully. Play every day. Live for each moment.

Again, you will write out your Seven Word Life Motto. The words that you use to guide your life can be any words that inspire you on a daily basis.  These are words that, when you're feeling down, are words that will inspire you to get back up and move forward!  Most important point: it must be EXACTLY SEVEN WORDS!  (Note: If you have a chance, share your seven word life motto with at least three people that you know you well and see how they feel about your life motto.)

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Best Possible Self(Inspired by “Best Possible Self” - https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/best_possible_self#)

Now that you’ve completed all of the activities for this training, it’s time for you to imagine what your best possible self will look like over the next year – or three years - or five years. If you want something more concrete, create a vision for what you want your life to look like by 2020. What is the best possible self you can imagine? Consider all of the activities we’ve explored over the past 2 days of this workshop, such as your personal responsibilities, your values, your meaningful work, and your dreams. What about specific areas in your life, such as work, education, money, relationships, health, and fun. What would happen HAVE to happen in these areas of your life for you to be your best possible self in a year – and beyond?

Take 15-30 minutes to write down what your best possible self will look like at the end of next year. Use the instructions below to help guide you through this process. Ultimately, you’d like to have several bullet points that identifies how you want your life to look like, something that you can review every day - first thing in the morning and right before you go to bed at night.

It may be easy for this exercise to lead you to examine how your current life may not match this best possible future. You may be tempted to think about ways in which accomplishing goals has been difficult for you in the past, or about financial/time/social barriers to being able to make these accomplishments happen. For the purpose of this exercise, however, we encourage you to focus on the future—imagine a brighter future in which you are your best self and your circumstances change just enough to make this best possible life happen. We’ve provided you with tools to stay on track to accomplish more than you might find possible.

This exercise is most useful when it is very specific—if you think about a new job, imagine exactly what you would do, who you would work with, and where it would be. The more specific you are, the more engaged you will be in the exercise and the more you’ll get out of it. Be as creative and imaginative as you want, and don’t worry about grammar or spelling. Another avenue to explore is to write down several “I Am Statements” that specifically address what you want to be and how you want to feel at some point in the future.

Use the categories below to help you determine where you’d like to focus your efforts in living your best possible life, as well as becoming your best possible you:

Work/Career/Education Money/FinancesLifestyle/Social Family/Friends/RelationshipsPersonal Growth/Self- Practice Health/Well-BeingRecreation/Fun Religion/Spirituality

Use the space below to jot down a few thoughts before you get started on your essay…

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Personal Board of Advisors (Adapted from Personal Board of Directors, Mad Office Hero: http://www.madofficehero.com/product/personal-board-of-directors-worksheet/ and

One of the most important areas that most people don’t explore is nurturing relationships that help them grow – both professionally and personally. The following worksheet will provide you with a few ideas to help you identify potential people to help you on your journey. Use this as your opportunity to start connecting with people who will help you move forward in achieving your vision for the future. As you put your list together, make sure that you have different people to support the different areas/needs in your life.

Knowledge/Expertise: Who can help you continue to build your knowledge and expertise? Who’s an expert in the areas you want to develop? Who shares best practices or innovations? Who broadens your perspective?Name: __________________________________________________

Influence: Who, at an executive/high level, supports you? Who’s influential? Who offers guidance and mentoring? Who connects you to resources?Name: ___________________________________________________

Purpose and Motivation: Who inspires you with fresh ideas? Who motivates you to make a difference? Who validates your work? Who’s a role model that takes action?Name: ____________________________________________________

Personal Development: Who makes you a better you? Who challenges you? Who gives you honest feedback? Who tells you the things you don’t want to hear but need to hear? Who pushes you to be better?Name: ____________________________________________________

Personal Support/Closet Confidante: Who encourages you? Who listens while you vent or gripe and reflect back to you? Who gets you back on track when needed? Who can you be yourself with? Name: ____________________________________________________

Balanced Life: Who encourages your health and mental well-being? Who helps you learn and grow as a person?Name: ____________________________________________________

Academic Inspirer: Who can help you learn more about a discipline that has piqued your interest?Name: ____________________________________________________

Industry Professional: Who can help you create connections between your educational and experiential pursuits?Name: ____________________________________________________

Student Mentor: Who is further along in his/her journey, capable of sharing his/her experience with you?Name: ____________________________________________________

Wild Card: Who can you include on your board that will help you become the best version of yourself?Name: ______________________________________________________

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My Life Self-Assessment: Design a Life That Matters

Name: _______________________________________________________ Date: ____________________

Start with where you are. Today.

The “My Life Self-Assessment” is a tool that has you evaluate your life in eight (8) areas – Work/Career/Education, Money/Finances, Lifestyle/Social, Family/Friends/Relationships, Personal Growth/Self-Practice, Health/Well-Being, Recreation/Fun, and Religion/Spirituality – to see what areas are working well for you and identify areas where you might need to make changes. Take a few minutes to evaluate yourself on two things: (1) how important each area is to you (score of 1 to 5), and (2) grade yourself on how you feel you are doing (or not doing) in each area (score of A to F). (Note: If you find that you don’t want to invest time or not interested in a particular category, give your NA for the Importance and NG for the grade.) As you do this activity, be as TOTALLY honest with yourself as possible. The ultimate goal of the My Life Self-Assessment is to identify areas that are working well for you, as well as areas that might be holding you back – and keeping you from moving forward in your life. This particular assessment helps you to see where you may want to spend your time and attention to make change immediately and on an ongoing basis.Use the scale below to rate how well your life is for each category:

Category Examples

Work/Career/Education Degrees, job/vocation, entrepreneurship, homemaker, professional organizationsMoney/Finances Debt, retirement, savings, income, expenses, benefits, taxes, budget, philanthropyLifestyle/Social Clothing, housing, vehicles, electronics, community work, self-image, freedomFamily/Friends/Relationships Parents, spouse/life partner, siblings, children, relatives, co-workers, pets, caretakerPersonal Growth/Self- Practice Life purpose, goals/dreams, success, managing life, organization, habits, ritualsHealth/Well-Being Physical, mental, relaxation, exercise, diet/nutrition, happiness, stress, pleasureRecreation/Fun Travel, adventure, sports, music, arts/crafts, hobbies, writing, play, cookingReligion/Spirituality Religious practice, readings/scriptures, faith, worship, meditation, mindfulness

Importance – Is this area important to me? Grade – How do I feel about my life in this area?

1 = Extremely Important – Think/do all the time. A = Extremely Satisfied – Every day is a great day!2 = Very Important – Think/do several times a day. B = Satisfied – Life is good in this area on most days.3 = Important – Think/do once a day. C = Average – Mixture of good days and bad days.4 = Somewhat Important – Think/do a few times a week. D = Fair – I’m barely getting by in this area.5 = Not important at all – Rarely think/do this area. F = Poor – My life in this area really sucks!NA = Not applicable to my life right now NG = No grade – Area not applicable to my life.

Work/Career/Education Part 1: Importance_____ Part 2: Grade: _____Money/Finances Part 1: Importance_____ Part 2: Grade: _____Lifestyle/Social Part 1: Importance_____ Part 2: Grade: _____Family/Friends/Relationships Part 1: Importance_____ Part 2: Grade: _____Personal Growth/Self-Practice Part 1: Importance_____ Part 2: Grade: _____Health/Well-Being Part 1: Importance_____ Part 2: Grade: _____Recreation/Fun Part 1: Importance_____ Part 2: Grade: _____Religion/Spirituality Part 1: Importance_____ Part 2: Grade: _____

After reflecting on the above, what Grade would you give yourself regarding your life in general (circle one)?

A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F+ F

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Briefly explain why you gave yourself this overall grade?

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As you review your grades in each category and your overall grade, what areas would you like to improve your grade? What are small steps you could make – or are willing to make – to improve your grade, and your life? Use the space below to jot down a few thoughts about the areas you’d like to change and possible small steps you could take to move forward, as well as write what your life would be like if you had an opportunity to make changes. Share your thoughts on what you think might keep you from making change. What would be the effect if you don’t change and continue on your current path?

Other questions to think about: Which areas of my life are the most satisfying and fulfilling? Which areas did I rate the highest? Why is that?

What is happening in this life area to cause me to feel this way? In which area of my life am I feeling dissatisfied or unfulfilled? What is not working? What is causing me to

feel this way? What is feeling out of my control? What is in my control that I can influence or change? Which areas of my life could be even better? Where do I want to focus my time and energy to improve the

overall quality of my life? Where would I receive the most benefit for investing my time and energy? Where am I feeling the greatest “nudge” to focus my resources now?

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Resources to Inspire Change

Lifehack - http://www.lifehack.org/ Pick the Brain: Grow Yourself - https://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/ Uplift - http://upliftconnect.com/ Prevention - http://www.prevention.com/ Tiny Buddha: Simple Wisdom for Complex Lives - http://tinybuddha.com/ Mindful: Taking Time for What Matters - http://www.mindful.org/ Live Your Legend: Change the World By Doing Work You Love - http://liveyourlegend.net/ Greater Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life - http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/ Good Life Project - http://www.goodlifeproject.com/ Optimize with Brian Johnson - https://www.optimize.me/

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Jump – Steve Harvey(Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kILVFRlUtT8)

This activity can be used when you want to think about taking a leap of faith and moving forward in your life. This video by Steve Harvey occurred after an episode of Family Feud, when he decided to take a few minutes to talk to the audience. As you watch this video, think about what a “jump” would look like for you in your life.

What does “jump” mean to you? What would a “jump” look like for you?

If you had to make a “jump,” who would get to help and/or support you? Why would you want this person to help you make that “jump?”

What are at least one or two “jumps” you could make by the end of the month? By the end of the year?

Once completed, share your thoughts about your “jump” with at least one other person.

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Life Change Challenge

Research now shows that it takes an average of 66 days to incorporate a new habit in one’s life. The Life Change Challenge will have you find one thing that you would like to add, subtract, change, and/or improve in your life. Try coming up with one or two things you would be willing to work on right now. Think of things you would like to add to or subtract from your life, things you would like to change. You may want to choose something big (i.e. writing a book) or something small (i.e. stop eating candy). You may want to choose something that’s keeping you from moving forward in your life (i.e. cleaning clutter) or something that will significantly add to your life experience (i.e. a walk in the park). Remember, regardless of what you choose, you will be doing this for the next 7 days. And here are some examples of things you’d like to add, subtract, or change:

Stop smoking… Meditate for at least 5-10 minutes…Write in a journal every day… Eat a piece of fruit…Move my body/be active 3 days a week… Sleep for 7 hours…Clean up the clutter in one room… Limit computer/TV use to 1 hour…Meet someone new… Be grateful for something…Watch at least one TED talk… Read a book for at least 30 minutes…Drink water instead of soda… Do something special for someone else…Study at least 1 hour each day… Connect with a mentor/faculty/staff member…

1. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Now, from your two choices above, choose one you are willing to do for the next 7 days! Write your choice in the space provided on Life Change Challenge worksheet on the next page. For this first challenge, choose something that is fairly easy to do, easy to identify, and is something that you would be motivated/excited to do. Be aware that you will also need to identify a partner or two to hold you accountable to complete it. In fact, you may even want to have this person work on something as well – that way, you can hold each other accountable to get something done together over the next 7 days. Whatever you decide to choose to work on, make sure to be AS SPECIFIC as possible! The more specific you make it, it will be easier to track and complete. For example:

Not specific enough: “I plan to eat healthy every day.” Specific: “I will eat at least one piece of fruit every day.”

Now, as you identify the specifics of the Challenge that you’d like to pursue, there will be obstacles and/or limiting beliefs that stand in your way, such as:

Undesirable Habits: procrastinating; disorganization; indecisive; lazy/unmotivated; irresponsible. Negative Beliefs: I’m too __________; I can’t afford that; I’ve always been this way; He or she won’t let me. Unhealthy Relationships: mother/father; life partner/spouse; children; friends; boss; brothers/sisters. Distractions: economy; housework; your past; your physical appearance; your health; the weather. Fears: failure, rejection; success; disappointment; recognition; change; looking stupid; increase expectations. Lack of: money; resources; knowledge; support; time; confidence; imagination; alternatives; help.

To complete your Challenge, identify at least one major obstacle that could hold you back, as well as a strategy to take when that obstacle appears.

As you come up with your Life Change Challenge, imagine how much your life will change/improve if you were able to successfully complete this Challenge over a week. And then imagine what life would be like if you continued living your life completing one-week challenges for the rest of this year – and the rest of your life!

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Life Change Challenge7-Day Commitment Worksheet

Name: ________________________________________________________ Date: ___________________

This is the “Challenge” that I will take over the next 7 days: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why this activity is important to me: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This is the main obstacle that stands in my way: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How I will handle the obstacle and make progress towards my JUMP: If this (obstacle) happens: __________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Then I will do this: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Accountability Partner(s):1. ________________________________________________________________________________________2. ________________________________________________________________________________________

Use the chart below to record your progress each day:

Day Date Notes: Write down the action you took towards your Challenge today – or what held you back?

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My Eulogy

What will the most important people in my life say when I'm gone?  What will people remember about my life and how I treated them? What will be the legacy that I will leave behind?

For this assignment, you will write your eulogy that states what you want people to say about you when you are gone.  A eulogy is a speech comprised of those nice little nostalgic thoughts and experiences a person shares at someone’s funeral talking about his or her important life, work, incredible character, vision, or extraordinary efforts as a human.

Writing your eulogy may sound morbid, even a bit creepy. But there’s a reason Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol never goes out of style. Facing up to your own mortality is one of the best ways to focus your attention on the present, whether you are Ebenezer Scrooge or a much more likable chap.

You can clarify what’s important in your life and begin to appreciate the present by imagining your own funeral, writing what you wish people will say during it, and then starting to live in a way that makes your dreams come true.  Here’s a warning though...for this exercise to be powerful, you need to make it seem as real as possible. Find a quiet place. Put yourself in the right frame of mind. Imagine your death has really happened.  Conjure up pictures in your mind of who will be at your memorial service, and exactly what you want them to say.  Anything less and you can’t expect this experience to be life changing.

As you think about writing your eulogy, ask yourself these questions:1. Did I contribute something meaningful?2. Was I a good person?3. Who did I love and who loved me?

There are several very good reasons to write your own eulogy: It will help you immediately answer the question: how will people remember me? It will help you clarify the things you want to get done in your life — dreams, goals, aspirations,

adventures, your purpose, etc. It will help you crystallize what sort of character you want to be remembered for, what kind of job you

had and how you did it, and what kind of friends you had and what kind of friend you were.   It will define the legacy you left behind. It will provide you with a business model for your life that you can constantly compare your current

situation to, and compare your current progress.  Then you can make adjustments in order to get closer to the goal.

Are you willing to face up to your own death, if it will help make your life more satisfying and fulfilling? If so, it’s time to write your own eulogy (and epitaph, if you desire).  You will have the option of writing this: (1) as if you died tomorrow, or (2) at some defined point in the future, such as at 50, 70, or 90 years old.  It's your choice.

Use the following process to think about what to write:

Close your eyes. Fast forward into the future (it could be a day or many, many years into the future). It’s a church or cemetery.  Your friends and family are gathered. There’s a coffin. You look closer. It’s your coffin.  Make a list of those in your life who matter the most that you would want at your funeral.  Now imagine: Who steps up to speak first? Your son or daughter? Your best friend? Your business partner? What does he or she say first? Then second? Then third? Who else is in the room? What are they thinking? What are they doing?

Now, let go, drift back to the present, open your eyes, and think about what you saw and heard. The acoustic systems involved with imaginative time travel aren’t great, so you couldn’t hear everything clearly. But that’s perfect: it means you get to fill in the gaps. You get to record what you wanted to hear.

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Imagine that only one person will speak at your funeral.  Write a short speech — at least 300 words — for that person. Write how you want to be remembered. What did you accomplish during your life? Whose lives did you touch? What did you mean to the person speaking? Write not just how the person felt about you, but about something specific you said or did that had an effect. It may help to start with, “I remember the time he/she . . .” Does your speaker mention you first as a brother or sister, as a father or mother, as a husband or wife, or as a friend? Or are your business or civic contributions listed first? How did the speaker describe your character, your values, your strengths? Loving? Courageous? Honest? How? And think about the kinds of things you wouldn’t want the speaker to say.

Now, what about your epitaph?  You remember that you caught a quick glimpse of your gravestone as you were reflecting on your funeral. It was short, it captured how you wanted to be remembered, and it succinctly summarized your life to those who’d never met you. It wasn’t something general like “He was a good man” or “She loved life.” No, it was clear, specific, and unique to you—an honest and thoughtful message to future generations. It was something that your great-grandson might see one day, a message from you to him. What did it say?

Some of the questions that you'd like someone to answer about you could be: What was he/she passionate about in life?  Was there a singular cause he/she fought for, or something that

was an obvious obsession? What was one lesson he/she constantly shared with people, his kids, his friends and strangers? What was one good memory that illustrated an important lesson? What would you emphasize about this person’s life?  His or her relationship with others?  His or her role

as mother/father/sister/brother/grandparent, etc.?  His or her work?  His or her charity work? What qualities set him or her apart, what were his or her personality flaws?  Strong points? And ultimately, what are people going to miss about him or her?  How will they remember him or her?

The main usage here is that, for most people, almost immediately they’ll get an eerily accurate sense of their life that wasn’t previously there.  If you run out of things to say, use the following questions to help process this activity:

1. What do your self-written eulogy and epitaph say to you about your hopes and dreams? About your goals, your relationships with friends and family, and your character?

2. What would your epitaph say if someone else wrote it today? Be as honest as possible. How does that epitaph differ from what you want it to say?

3. What specific actions will you take next—or what will you stop doing now—to ensure your hopes and dreams at life’s end will come true?

Use this activity as a way to construct your legacy; how do YOU want to leave the world once you are gone?

Additional Resources

Your Eulogy and Epitaph - http://www.riseglobal.org/uploads/pdfs/YourEulogyEpitaph.pdf When in Doubt, Write Your Own Eulogy - http://milkthepigeon.com/2011/08/09/when-in-doubt-write-

your-own-eulogy/ 30 Days to a Better Man (Day 21): Write Your Own Eulogy

- http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/06/20/30-days-to-a-better-man-day-21-write-your-eulogy/

Feel free to explore them further for more detailed information.

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Life Word Activity

For this week's activity, we're going to have you identify your LIFE WORD - one word that will sum up your legacy on this earth, the word that will drive every action and decision now and the future. According to the authors of the book, "Life Word: Discover Your One Word to Leave a Legacy" the authors believe that there's "a word that will inspire you to live your best life while leaving your greatest legacy. In the process you’ll discover your why which will help show you the way to live with a renewed sense of power, purpose and passion."

So, what do you think your Life Word would be? There's a list of words below that you can use to narrow down your options. If you had our "What Could I Do With My Life" course, you may also pick a word from one of the activities done in that class. If a word resonates with you and it's not on the list, definitely choose that word. You may even want to ask those people close to you to see if there's one word that might identify the impact that you've had on them. Or, if you come up with your ONE WORD, ask the people close to you to see if they agree with you.

Once you have your ONE WORD, you will have the option to construct either a poster or a video that illustrates that word in your life. You will need to identify at least 10 items where your ONE WORD could come into play in your life. They could be pictures, quotes, or anything else that can be used to illustrate how this ONE WORD will identify your lasting legacy. You will bring your ONE WORD poster or video to class next week. Good luck and have fun!

Short List of “Life Words”

AbundantAchieveActiveAdmirableAdorableAdventureAdmiredAffluentAlignedAliveAmazingAppreciateArtisticAstonishAttentiveAttractAuthenticAwakeAwesomeBeautyBelieveBlessedBoldBrilliantCalmCenteredChallengeChampionCheerfulCherishClearCommitmentCompassionComplete

ConfidentConnectConsistencyCourageCreateDazzlingDelightfulDesirableDeterminedDisciplineDiscoverDivineDiverseDreamEaseElegantEmpathyEmpowerEnergyEnhancingEngageEnlightenedEnthusiasticExcellentExciteExpandExperienceExploreFabulousFairFaithFascinatingFlatteringFlourishing

FocusFortunateForwardFreedomFriendlyFulfilledFunGenerousGenuineGlowGraceGraciousGrowthHappyHarmonyHealHealthHelpfulHonestHopeHumbleHumorousImagineImpactInnovateInsightfulInspireIntuitiveInventInvincibleJoyKindLearnLimitless

LiveLoveMagicMiraculousMotivateNaturalNurtureNobleOpenOptimisticPassionPeacePerseverePerspectivePlayPositivePossiblePowerfulPreciousProsperousPurposeQualityRadiantRefreshRelaxRemarkableResoluteResourcefulRespectResponsibleRewardSafetySatisfySensational

ShareSkillSparklingSpiritualSplendidStrengthSuccessSwiftTalentThankfulThrillThriveTransformTrustTruthUnderstandUniqueUpliftedValuableVibrantVulnerableWarmWealthWellWholeWiseWonderfulWorthYouthfulZest

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Contact Information

Bill Johnson Student Success Navigator, Life Design Catalyst Coach and Lead Facilitator, InstructorLife Design Center/Advising and Personal Development CenterSchool of Health and Human SciencesUniversity of North Carolina at GreensboroOffice e-mail: whjohnso@uncg.eduOffice/Business phone: 336-207-6795Bill’s Dream Dean Blog: http://thedreamdean.wordpress.com

Megan Delph CaytonStudent Success Navigator, Life Design Catalyst Coach and Facilitator, InstructorLife Design Center/Advising and Personal Development CenterSchool of Health and Human SciencesUniversity of North Carolina at GreensboroOffice e-mail: mcdelph@uncg.eduOffice/Business phone: 614-284-1443Megan’s Blog: http://megancayton.wordpress.com/

Work web site: http://www.uncg.edu/hhp/ssc/index.html

Life Design Catalyst web sites: Home: http://lifedesigncatalyst.wordpress.com/ Resource list: http://lifedesigncatalyst.wordpress.com/resources Facebook Group: Life Design Catalyst Coaching

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WORKSHOP EVALUATIONRENEW AND RECHARGE: REDESIGN A LIFE YOU’LL LOVE

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT GREENSBOROAUGUST 2017

I very much value your thoughts about this workshop. Your specific feedback helps me make corrections as I move toward my goal of facilitating additional workshops in the future that empowers people to become the best version of themselves and make a positive contribution to the world. Please use the other side of his sheet for additional comments…

1. On a scale of 1 to 10, please rate the overall value of this workshop to you (circle one):

Poor 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Excellent

2. Specific concepts/strategies I will use/adapt for my life and/or my work include:

3. What I liked best about the workshop content and/or facilitation...

4. Ways I think the workshop content and/or facilitation can be improved...

5. I'd also like to say or add...

Note: If you’d be willing to share a testimonial about this workshop, please write your name and a couple of sentences on the other side of this evaluation.

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