The Dream Dean | dream big. live with purpose. inspire others.



Creating a Life that's On Course

For You and Your Students

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2016 On Course National Conference

Pre-Conference Workshop

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Bill Johnson, Workshop Facilitator

Student Success Navigator, Life Design Catalyst and Instructor

Advising and Personal Development Center

School of Health and Human Sciences

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Creating a Life that's On Course:

For You and Your Students

Timeline and Table of Contents

Workshop Timeline

• Morning Session – 9:00am to 12:00pm

• Lunch – 12:00pm to 1:30pm

• Afternoon Session – 1:30pm to 4:30pm

Timeline and Table of Contents 1

On Course Principles 2

Life Design Models: SPARCK and Meaningful Work 3

Tree of Contemplative Practices 4

Design Your Life Project 5

Topics/Activities

• Session Guidelines, Workshop Interest and Intention 6

• Laser-Focused Coaching 7

• Thought-Provoking Questions 8

• Life Design U Worksheet 9

• Lollipop Moments 11

• What’s Important to Me, Values Assessment 13

• Value Tags 14

• Portfolio Life, Inspired Work and Play 15

• Potential Project Ideas 18

• Business Blueprint 19

• Desired Feelings 20

• Desired Dream List 22

• Idea Exchange Worksheet 24

• Life Change Challenge and Worksheets 25

• Seven Word Life Motto 28

• Letter to Future Self 30

Contact Information 31

Evaluation of Pre-Conference Workshop 32

On Course Eight Choices of Successful Students…

|CHOICES OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS |CHOICES OF STRUGGLING STUDENTS |

|Successful students ACCEPT SELF-RESPONSIBILITY, seeing themselves as |Struggling students see themselves as Victims, believing that what |

|the primary cause of their outcomes and experiences. |happens to them is determined primarily by external forces such as |

| |fate, luck, and powerful others. |

|Successful students DISCOVER SELF-MOTIVATION, finding purpose in their|Struggling students have difficulty sustaining motivation, often |

|lives by discovering personally meaningful goals and dreams. |feeling depressed, frustrated, and/or resentful about a lack of |

| |direction in their lives. |

|Successful students MASTER SELF-MANAGEMENT, consistently planning and |Struggling students seldom identify specific actions needed to |

|taking purposeful actions in pursuit of their goals and dreams. |accomplish a desired outcome. And when they do, they tend to |

| |procrastinate. |

|Successful students EMPLOY INTERDEPENDENCE, building mutually |Struggling students are solitary, seldom requesting, even rejecting |

|supportive relationships that help them achieve their goals and dreams|offers of assistance from those who could help. |

|(while helping others to do the same). | |

|Successful students GAIN SELF-AWARENESS, consciously employing |Struggling students make important choices unconsciously, being |

|behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes that keep them on course. |directed by self-sabotaging habits and outdated life scripts. |

|Successful students ADOPT LIFE-LONG LEARNING, finding valuable lessons|Struggling students resist learning new ideas and skills, viewing |

|and wisdom in nearly every experience they have. |learning as fearful or boring rather than as mental play. |

|Successful students DEVELOP EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, effectively |Struggling students live at the mercy of strong emotions such as |

|managing their emotions in support of their goals and dreams. |anger, depression, anxiety, or a need for instant gratification. |

|Successful students BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES, seeing themselves capable, |Struggling students doubt their competence and personal value, feeling|

|lovable, and unconditionally worthy as human beings. |inadequate to create their desired outcomes and experiences. |

Life Design Models

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The Tree of Contemplative Practices

(from The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society

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Design Your Life Project

The Design Your Life Project is a series of “meetings” over the course of the first-year where students learn about themselves. The Program addresses the most pressing question for college students today – What should I do with my life? As structured, Life Design Catalysts (similar to academic/success coaches) work with a small number of students over the course of the academic year to not only understand who/what they want to be in life, but to then create experiences pertinent to their life. An important component of this is the chances to not only connect with their instructor, but to connect with teaching assistants (undergraduate and/or graduate students) and to their fellow students as well.

Components/Principles

• Life Design Process

• Contemplative Practices

• Holistic Engagement/Intrinsic Motivation

• Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Laser Focus Coaching

• Self-Directed Learning

• Open Education Resource

Design Your Life Project in Action

Courses

• HHS125: Design Your Life I: What Could I Do With My Life (1 credit)

• HHS135: Design Your Life II: (Re-) Design a Life You’ll Love (1 credit)

• HHS130: Meditation for Life (1 credit)

• ENT/HHS250: Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship (3 credits)

• HHSXXX: Personal Branding for Health and Human Science Entrepreneurs (3 credits)

Programs

• Rites of Passage Minority Male Mentoring Program

• Design Your Life Learning Community

Trainings/Workshops

• Life Design Catalyst Coach Training Certification Program (next training – May 17-20, 2016)

Other Projects

• Life Design Studio (A makerspace to Design Your Life) – proposed 2016-17

• Student/Self- Designed Multidisciplinary Program/Major – proposed 2016-17

• Certificate/Minor in Leadership and Life Design – proposed 2017-18

Creating a Life that’s On Course for You and Your Students

Pre-Conference Workshop

2016 On Course National Conference

Session Guidelines

• Engage fully – Allow yourself to be present for the day.

• Be attentive to time – at the start of the day, during breaks, at lunch, and at the end.

• Be mindful of equal sharing of time for self and for others.

• Please turn off cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc.

• No judgment zone.

• Have fun!

• Other: ______________________________________________________________________________

Why did you attend this workshop?

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What do you hope to learn/accomplish by the end of the workshop?

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What needs to happen in order for you accomplish your intention?

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Laser-Focused Coaching

Laser Focus Coaching is a short and focused technique used by Life Design Catalysts to help their students and/or clients identify and work through change needed quickly. Use this coaching technique when you aim to get the desire outcome in the shortest amount of time. It's usually seen as intense, fast, and focused. This technique gets to the source/root of the problem quickly and gets clients moving forward immediately. To be effective utilizing Laser Focus Coaching, you need to think quickly on your feet, be flexible, utilize what you have, and make sure to stick to the outcome – getting results. Laser-Focused Coaching – Get Results FAST!!!

Usefulness of Laser Focus Coaching:

• Uses intuition and experience on what he or she things about situation.

• Helps identify a narrowly defined and clear goal that needs to be resolved immediately.

• Gets to the heart of the matter quickly, without much "story" or explanation.

• Spend less time on obstacles and more time on solution.

• Helps client eliminate/minimizes effect of feeling stuck or blocked.

• Allows coach to go deeper rather than broader, which maximizes time and helps you stay focused.

• Help clients commit to action and be accountable for results.

• A great way to get results when working with small groups.

Laser Focus Coaching question format (use as you see fit):

1. What do you want? (Alternate: What’s one specific thing that you’re looking for in this session?)

2. If achieved, what will it get you? (Alternate: Why is this important for you to accomplish it?)

3. What would this change allow you to do in your life now that you couldn’t do before?

4. Why do you want/need to make this change right now?

5. How have you been successful in the past? (Alternate: What’s something from a past success can you use in this situation?)

6. What do you need to do right now to get started?

Other Helpful Laser Focus Coaching Questions

• What are the possibilities?

• If you had your choice, what would you do?

• What are possible solutions?

• What if you do and what if you don’t?

• What else?

• What other ideas do you have about it?

• How does this fit with your plans/way of life/values?

• What will you have to do to get the job done?

• If you could do anything you wanted, what would you do?

• What was the lesson/learning?

• What will you do? By when?

• In the bigger scheme of things, how important is this?

• How could you improve the situation?

• If you were at your best, what would you do right now?

• What else can you do to honor your values?

• What are you holding back?

• What do you want?

• What action will you take?

*** Catalyst Coaching Questions Useful for This Workshop ***

• What were your results of this activity?

• Share at least one thought about this activity…

• Describe how you felt as you were engaged in this activity…

• Describe how you felt after you completed this activity…

• What is at least one thing you learned from this activity?

• When thinking about what you currently do in your work (or aspire to do as work), who do you think would find this activity useful and/or how could they benefit from doing this activity?

• How would you share this activity with others?

• What’s next? Describe how your life might be different now that you’ve completed this activity…

Thought-Provoking Questions

At the beginning of each semester, students are asked a series of thought-provoking questions to: (1) get them to start thinking about various aspects of their life, and (2) set the stage for the exploration and reflection they’ll have to do in class. I use the answers from both sets of questions below to provider a sense of how you’d like to structure your classes for the rest of the semester.

Kick-Ass Questions About Life - HHS125 course

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?

Where to Start – Questions to Start the Idea Exploration Process (from “Why Do So Many Entrepreneurs Hate Their Lives,” by Jonathan Fields - ) – HHS250 course

1. What do I care about?

2. What do I hold sacred, both in business and life?

3. What lights me up, what would I work hard to do for free?

4. What empties me out, emotionally, psychologically and physically?

5. Who do I want to serve?

6. Do I care more about serving or building?

7. What do I value on a non-negotiable level?

8. What am I great at?

9. What am I terrible at?

10. How do I want to spend each day?

11. How do I want to live my life?

Life Design U Worksheet

For Personal Charter Project and Presentation

Name: ______________________________________ Date: ___________________

|Personality Type |Personal Values |Work Values |Character Strengths |Engagement Strengths |

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|Four-letter code: | | | | |

| | | | | |

|____________________ | | | | |

| |4. |4. |4. |4. |

|Three Characteristics: |5. |5. |5. |5. |

| |6. | | | |

|1. |7. | | | |

| |8. | | | |

|2. |9. | | | |

| |10. | | | |

|3. | | | | |

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|Talents and Gifts |Interests |Audience |Action Words |Desired Feelings |

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| |1. |1. |1. | |

| |2. |2. |2. | |

| |3. |3. |3. | |

|4. |4. |4. |4. |4. |

|5. |5. |5. |5. |5. |

|6. | | | |6. |

|7. | | |Inspiration Words |7. |

|8. | | | |8. |

|9. | | |1. |9. |

|10. | | |2. |10. |

| | | |3. | |

| | | |4. | |

| | | |5. | |

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|Meaningful Work Statements |Meaningful Majors |

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| |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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| |Graduate School Programs |

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| |1. |

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| |2. |

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|Meaningful Work Quiz |3. |

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|Statement #1: |4. |

|1. _____ 2. _____ 3. _____ 4. _____ 5. _____ 6. _____ | |

| |5. |

|Statement #2: | |

|1. _____ 2. _____ 3. _____ 4. _____ 5. _____ 6. _____ | |

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|Statement #3: | |

|1. _____ 2. _____ 3. _____ 4. _____ 5. _____ 6. _____ | |

|Vision for Ideal Work |

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|Seven Word Life Motto |

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Lollipop Moments

(Drew Dudley, Everyday Leadership/Lollipop Moments - )

This particular TED talk focuses on the impactful moments that we have on other people. I have found that these impactful moments may also hold key information to your meaningful work and your purpose in life. This homework assignment will have you identify and write down at least twenty (20) the lollipop moments in your life where: I'm sure you'll have to stretch to come up with 20, but think hard about the times when you've helped others in a positive way. If you can't think of anything, ask your family, friends, and others that know you for times when you've helped them.

• You did or learned something that you were truly interested in/passionate about and shared it with others.

• You did something where you impacted the life of at least one other person.

• You were able to overcome a big problem or huge challenge and it inspired others.

• You did something where you helped a group of people through community service, volunteer work, etc.

• You were able to help someone else or a group of people solve a problem, get through a tough time, or overcome a challenge.

• You taught something meaningful/useful to someone else or a group of people.

• You extended a helping hand to someone in need or less fortunate.

• You spoke up about or defended someone about an injustice in the world.

• Others call you about a particular thing (or several things) to get your advice or counsel.

• You use a specific skill(s), knowledge(s), value(s) or talent(s) to help others be successful.

• You were engaged in activities when you were in the flow, where time stood still, or when you felt most fulfilled that benefited others.

• You stood for something that was larger than yourself.

• Specific random acts of kindness/pay it forward activities that made an impact on others.

• You were in a job where you've impacted clients, customers, colleagues, and/or your superiors in a positive way.

• Or anything else you've done where you've helped others, served others, or made a difference in the life of at least one other person.

For each of the twenty (or more) lollipop moments, write a sentence that briefly describes the act/experience and why you decided to include it on your life. Your lollipop moments can be either large or small, doesn't matter. Once you’ve identified your lollipop moments, try to identify a theme among your answers; what do you notice as a pattern of your experiences - something more than just "helping people?" Are there certain situations, issues, and/or problems where you tend to help people more than others? Are there specific skills that you tend to use? Is there a specific population that you seem to help more than others?

Lollipop Moment examples you might have:

• Mission trips due to disasters, epidemics, helping others in need.

• Community service activities, such as cleaning up a park, habitat for humanity.

• Volunteer services, such as food bank, ASPCA, Special Olympics.

• Captain or coach (or some other leadership position) of sports team/activity.

• President (or other leadership position) in student group/organization.

• Inspiring articles, poems, blogs written and/or published.

• Significant involvement or leadership positions in religious group/organization, such as group leader.

• Things you organized so that others could participate/be successful.

• Individuals/groups you’ve led to achieve something greater.

• Activities you’ve participated in where you helped the group be successful in completing the activity.

• Presentation given, workshops/training facilitated, or classes taught.

• Performances you have given, such as through music, choir, dance or theater.

• Art you’ve created that was shared/shown to others.

• Times when you’ve help a friend grieve over loss of a family member, friend, pet, etc.

• Inspiring and helping others pursue and achieve goals and dreams.

• How you’ve impacting others (siblings, friends, parents, other kids and adults) by being a role model.

• Jobs where you’ve helped others, such as tutoring, teaching, or mentoring.

• Involvement in activities such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

• Helped a friend get through depression or keep them from attempting suicide.

• Experienced trauma in your own life and passed on that wisdom to others, such as a break-up.

• You received an award/recognition for doing a good deed, being kind, etc.

Bill’s Impactful Moments Examples

• Played sports with childhood friends against other neighborhood “teams.”

• Served as “Dungeon Master” for many D & D adventures with friends in middle/high school.

• Led many different groups of riders on Multiple Sclerosis Bike Tours rides.

• Developed and taught personal growth/self-help exercises and activities for students in various classes.

• Presented personal growth/self-help workshops for various on-campus units, i.e residence life, campus activities, academic departments, leadership and service learning, etc.

• Presented personal growth/self-help workshops for international and national organizations, community organizations, and professional organizations.

• Created and facilitated Purpose and Vision Navigator Certification Training Program (now called Life Design Catalyst Program).

• Coached friends and colleagues at each institution I've worked at to find their purpose and/or pursue their dreams.

• Coach/support my daughters Amanda (freshman in college) and Bethany (10th grade in high school) as they navigate their paths/directions in life.

• Support my wife Rebecca as she continues to develop and grow her art/craft business.

• I'm in the “flow” when I’m presenting workshops on self-help/personal growth to others.

• Inspired others by sharing my challenges in college, personal and academically, such as poor SAT scores, poor grades, low graduation ranking, and homelessness.

• Support charities such as Multiple Sclerosis, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and Make a Wish Foundation, especially when they involve fitness/exercise challenges.

• Received Golden Key International Advisor of the Year Award in 2004 – and realized for the first time as a professional that it’s not about the recognition and reward, but about the positive impact I made on the students' lives, sharing my life and giving the best of me. Realized that I had a strong desire to help people lost like I was when in college.

• Active participation in UNCG's Rites of Passage Minority Male Mentoring Program.

• Serve as mentor to several students and staff - both on- and off-campus.

• Served in various leadership positions in professional organizations, such as the National Academic Advising Association and On Course.

• Serve as a comforting soul for people who've lost both parents in a short period of time.

• Created The Dream Dean blog to share information about my work with others.

• Various positions at various institutions have provided me opportunities to serve tens of thousands of students over 26+ years in higher education.

Bill’s Theme: Always felt driven to help/lead/coach individuals and group to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

Quick Activity: What’s Most Important to Me

If you had to identify the things that are most important to you right now, the things that drive your actions and decisions on a daily basis today, what would they be? Take no more than 3-5 minutes to review the list of 17 items below and choose FIVE (5) that are most important to you, most important in your life right now. If you have something that’s important but not listed, choose “Other” and write in your important item in the space next to this choice. Your answers will help you with the more extensive values assessment we’ll do in a few minutes.

|Most Important Things in My Life (remember, only choose five from the list below) |

|_____ Connecting/spending time with family, |_____ Being happy/enjoying life |

|friends, others |_____ Helping/serving others |

|_____ Having fun/having a good time |_____ Learning new things |

|_____ Practicing my religion/spirituality |_____ Being great at something/becoming an |

|_____ Having money, money, and more money |expert |

|_____ Being healthy (heart, mind, body, spirit) |_____ Making a difference in the world |

|_____ Living a fulfilling life/living a life with no |_____ Proving people wrong |

|regrets |_____ Being successful/achieving more |

|_____ Getting my degree/getting an education |_____ Creating my own business |

|_____ Getting a job/being employed/having a |_____ Planning for the future |

|career |_____ Other: ___________________________ |

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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). Your core values are the foundation for creating meaningful work and living a purposeful life.

Top Ten Reasons to Know and Live Your Core Values

(from Top Ten Reasons to Know and Live Your Core Values - )

1. Gain Real Clarity about who you are and what you stand for.

2. Better Use of Time.

3. Core Values Means More Income.

4. Purpose and Passion.

5. Inspiration.

6. Motivation.

7. Overcoming Discouragement.

8. Stay On Track.

9. Easier Choice of Goals.

10. Better Decisions.

The Importance of Clearly Defining Your Core Values

(from 30 Days to a Better Man Day 1: Define Your Core Values - )

• Defining our values gives us purpose.

• Defining our values prevents us from making bad choices.

• Defining our values gives us confidence.

• Defining our values makes life simpler.

Personal Values – Values Tags

This Assessment will have you examine your personal values on a much deeper level. Similar to the previous exercise, you will identify those things that are most important in your life right now. However, instead checking off boxes on a sheet, this interactive exercise will have you choose your most important personal values using 36 Value Tags. Your Value Tags contains definitions of the values listed below:

|Accomplishment/Achievement |Excellence |Loyalty |

|Accountability/Responsibility |Expertise |Nature/Environment |

|Advancement/Promotion |Fairness/Equality/Diversity |Personal Development/Growth |

|Authority/Power/Control |Family |Recognition/Fame/Prestige |

|Autonomy/Independence |Fitness/Health |Religion |

|Balance/Stability |Friendship |Respect |

|Challenge/Risk |Harmony |Safety/Security |

|Competence |Honesty/Trust |Service/Helping Others |

|Competition |Integrity |Spirituality |

|Creativity/Self-Expression |Knowledge/Learning/Education |Travel/Adventure |

|Enjoyment/Happiness |Leadership |Wealth |

|Entrepreneurship/Innovation |Leisure |Wisdom |

After sorting through this list of 36 Values, list and rank order your top Ten Most Important Values – the things that are MOST important to you right now.

Top FIVE (5) to TEN (10) Personal Values Date: __________________________

1. _______________________________________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________________________________

5. _______________________________________________________________________________________

6. _______________________________________________________________________________________

7. _______________________________________________________________________________________

8. _______________________________________________________________________________________

9. _______________________________________________________________________________________

10. _______________________________________________________________________________________

Portfolio Life

(adapted from “The Art of Work” by Jeff Goins)

Who is the person that I’m becoming? Your Portfolio Life will have you collect information about your “work” and “play” experiences in your life. The goal is to list these experiences so that could notice patterns and connections of the work that you’ve done so far in your life.

What Makes Me Come Alive?

Before we get started with the portfolio life, take a minute to rank order the following motivations in the “work” that you do (or hope to do), with 1 = most important characteristic to 7 = least important characteristic.

_____ money _____status _____ respect ______ passion _____talent _____values ______ making a difference

• What Makes You Come Alive: 52 Weeks, 52 Jobs (Sean Aiken) -

• One Week Job: Discover Your Passion -

After watching the video, take 2-3 minutes to write down your answer to the question, “What makes you come alive?”

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For this activity, we’ll have you first identify experiences that have made up your Portfolio Life. Categories to document your experiences as you put together your Portfolio Life 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 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. Examples are provided in worksheet below:

|Fee Work - work based on dollars per hour |Salary Work - fixed income based on job description |

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

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|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 |

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Portfolio Life Worksheet – Bill’s Example

|Fee Work - work based on dollars per hour |Salary Work - fixed income based on job description |

|camp counselor |academic advisor |

|DJ (home parties) |computer lab coordinator |

|car carpet cutter and trimmer |assistant dean of student services |

|house sitter |director of advising, orientation, and placement testing |

|housekeeping cleaner |student success coordinator |

|dream big institute (own business) |personal development coach |

|workshop presenter/trainer |assistant professor/instructor |

|professional speaker | |

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

|father |life coach certification: dream coach, spiritual group coaching, wellness |

|husband |coaching |

|handyman (part-time) |life coach training |

|coach (soccer) |reading: self-help/personal growth, creativity, entrepreneurship, and |

|dog walker |coaching |

|cook |common knowledge on sports |

|house cleaner | |

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

|Multiple Sclerosis bike rides |sports card collector |

|Make-A-Wish walks |reading |

|American Heart Association walks |writing/blogging |

|American Cancer Society walks |meditation and mindfulness |

|Golden Key International Honour Society (UNCG) |fitness/exercise |

|Collegiate Entrepreneurship Organization (UNCG) |sports: running, walking, tennis, racquetball, bowling, bocce |

|On Course Ambassador/Committee Member | |

|National Academic Advising Association | |

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. | |

Potential Projects Ideas

(From “How to start a business (right now!) With less than $20” - ()

For this exercise, you will identify projects that you could start on that you could do on the side that could eventually turn into something bigger in the future. Side Note: Columns 1, 2, and 3 DO NOT have to match or have a connection on each line. This is simply a brainstorming activity.

|10 things you like doing that involve some form|10 ways you could put your work into the world |Based on first two columns, use this column to |

|of work (i.e. painting, writing, singing, |(i.e. on-line course, in-person class, e-commerce |identify 10 business ideas. Use/combine items |

|building furniture, coding, cooking, etc.) |website, retail store, series of books/videos, |from columns 1 and 2 to come up with potential |

| |etc.) |ideas. |

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Business Blueprint for Life Design U

For this activity, you will take what you’ve learned about the “work” that you’d like to do and create a model that describes what you have to offer. This model has you break it down into eight distinctive areas so that you can be clear about what you provide to others.

|PRODUCT/SERVICE: What will you do? What will you provide or sell? What |AUDIENCE: Who will you help/serve? Who are your customers or clients? Who|

|is your product or service? (Services you offer, products you create, |will want your product or services? (Audience, customers, clients, |

|problems you solve, etc.) |community, etc.) |

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|CREDENTIALS: What do you have to offer? What makes you special? Why |ACTIVITIES: How will you help them? What specific ways will you work with|

|would they want to buy from you or use your services? (Skills, abilities,|them? (Tasks you perform, daily interactions, specific activities and |

|gifts, talents, strengths, interests, knowledge, experience, credentials, |programs, etc.) |

|etc.) | |

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|PAYMENT: How do you get paid? How much will you charge? How will you |COSTS: How much will it cost you to do this? What do you need to have in |

|make money? (Fees, salary, product/service cost, hourly charge, etc.) |order to get this up and running? (Start-up fees, supplies, expenses, |

| |equipment, etc.) |

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|PROMOTION: How will people find you? How will they learn about your |LOCATION: Where will you help them? Will they come to you or will you go |

|product or service? (Social media, TV/radio, internet, speaking, writing,|to them? (Home office, travel, location, environment, etc.) |

|word-of-mouth, conferences, etc.) | |

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|BENEFITS: What do they get from you? How will your product or service |MEASURABLES: How will you measure success? How will you know if your |

|help them? What problem does it solve? What are their benefits? |product or service is successful? (Money earned, people served, net |

|(Benefits, changes, assistance, gains, a-ha moments, improvements, etc.) |profit, awards/recognition, etc.) |

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Desired Feelings

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! To help you choose your best words, use the sentence "I want to feel __________ today and every day!" to help you decide if a word should make your list or not. Once chosen, take a few seconds to ask yourself why this word should be on your list. Note: If a word is not listed here that you'd like to use, add it to your choices.

Accepted

Accomplished

Adored

Admired

Affection

Affluent

Aligned

Alive

Alluring

Amazed

Animated

Appreciated

Approved

Aroused

Artistic

Astonished

At ease

At peace

Attractive

Authentic

Awakened

Awesome

Balanced

Beautiful

Believable

Beloved

Better

Blessed

Bliss

Blossomed

Bold

Brave

Breathless

Bright

Brilliant

Bubbly

Calm

Capable

Cared about

Cared for

Carefree

Centered

Certain

Challenged

Changed

Charmed

Cheerful

Cherished

Clarity

Clear

Clever

Close

Colorful

Comfortable

Comforted

Comical

Committed

Committed to

Compassionate

Compelled

Competent

Complete

Confident

Connected

Considered

Contented

Courageous

Craved

Creative

Curious

Daring

Dazzled

Decadent

Dedicated

Delicious

Dependable

Deserving

Desired

Determined

Devoted

Dignified

Disciplined

Distinguished

Divine

Dynamic

Ecstatic

Educated

Effective

Efficient

Elated

Electrified

Embraced

Empowered

Enchanted

Encouraged

Energized

Engaged

Enlightened

Enlivened

Enthralled

Enthusiastic

Entrepreneurial

Envied

Essential

Euphoric

Exceptional

Excited

Exhilarated

Exotic

Exquisite

Extraordinary

Fabulous

Fantastic

Fascinated

Fashionable

Feminine

Festive

Fired up

Flawless

Flowery

Focused

Fortunate

Free

Fresh

Friendly

Frisky

Fulfilled

Full of energy

Full of life

Fun

Fun-loving

Future-oriented

Generous

Genuine

Giddy

Gifted

Glamorous

Glorious

Glowing

Good

Gorgeous

Gothic

Graceful

Grateful

Great

Groovy

Grounded

Grown-up

Gutsy

Handsome

Happy

Harmonious

Healthy

Helpful

Heroic

Holistic

Honorable

Hopeful

Hospitable

Hot

Humble

Humored

Idolized

Illuminated

Imaginative

Impeccable

Important

Impulsive

In control

Incredible

Independent

Influential

Innovative

Inquisitive

Insightful

Inspired

Intelligent

Intimate

Intrigued

Introspective

Inventive

Invigorated

Invincible

Involved

Irresistible

Jazzed

Jolly

Jovial

Joyous

Jubilant

Juicy

Kind

Knowledgeable

Laid-back

Learned

Leaned-on

Legitimate

Level-headed

Liberated

Liked

Listened to

Literate

Lively

Loved

Lovely

Luminous

Luscious

Luxurious

Magical

Magnificent

Majestic

Marvelous

Masculine

Mature

Meditative

Mellow

Merry

Mindful

Motivated

Moved

Natural

Needed

Noble

Noticed

Nourished

Nurtured

Optimistic

Organized

Original

Outgoing

Outrageous

Outstanding

Overjoyed

Pampered

Passionate

Peaceful

Perfect

Perky

Playful

Pleasant

Pleased

Pleasure

Poised

Popular

Positive

Powerful

Praised

Precious

Prepared

Prestigious

Pretty

Pristine

Prized

Productive

Professional

Progressive

Prominent

Prosperous

Proud

Provocative

Pumped up

Purposeful

Qualified

Quiet

Quirky

Radiant

Radical

Ravishing

Re-energized

Ready

Reassured

Rebellious

Reborn

Receptive

Recharged

Recognized

Redeemed

Refined

Reflective

Refreshed

Rejuvenated

Relaxed

Reliable

Relieved

Religious

Remarkable

Renewed

Renowned

Replenished

Resilient

Respected

Responsible

Restored

Revered

Revitalized

Revived

Revolutionary

Rich

Right

Robust

Romantic

Safe

Satisfied

Saved

Secure

Seductive

Self-accepted

Self-assured

Self-confident

Self-disciplined

Self-expressed

Self-loved

Self-reflective

Self-reliant

Self-satisfied

Selfless

Sensational

Sensual

Serene

Serendipitous

Sexy

Significant

Simple

Skilled

Smart

Smooth

Sociable

Soft-hearted

Solid

Sophisticated

Sparkling

Special

Spectacular

Spirited

Spiritual

Splendid

Spontaneous

Stable

Stellar

Stimulated

Strengthened

Stretched

Strong

Stunning

Stupendous

Successful

Sunny

Super

Superb

Superior

Surprised

Supported

Surprised

Sweet

Tenacious

Tenderness

Terrific

Thankful

Thrilled

Tickled

Touched

Tranquil

Transformed

Tremendous

Triumphant

Trustworthy

Truthful

Turned on

Understood

Unique

United

Unlimited

Uplifted

Valiant

Validated

Valued

Vibrant

Victorious

Visionary

Vivacious

Welcomed

Whimsical

Whole

Wise

Witty

Wonderful

Worthy

Wow

Youthful

Yummy

Zany

Zesty

Once you select all of the words that describe how you want to feel, use the spaces below to choose NO MORE THAN TEN (10) words that BEST describe how you want to feel - today and every day. See these words as the words that are going to bring you the focus and clarity you need to direct your life – now and in the future!

1. ______________________________________

2. ______________________________________

3. ______________________________________

4. ______________________________________

5. ______________________________________

6. ______________________________________

7. ______________________________________

8. ______________________________________

9. ______________________________________

10. ______________________________________

Desired Dream List

Your Desired Dream List identifies the things you’d like experience at some point in your life. Your Dream List should be about those experiences you’d like to have – now and in the future, based on your Desired Feelings. Use the categories and examples below to identify a few of the things that you’d like to be, do, or have that are really important to you. For this exercise, you will need to come up with at least TWO items for each of the eight different categories; of course, more are always welcomed! 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.” 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-Management |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 stress |

|Recreation/Fun |Travel, adventure, sports, music, arts/crafts, hobbies, writing, add play time, cook |

|Religion/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 |Money/Finances |Lifestyle/Social |

|Write a book/e-book |Create a retirement account |Purchase a new house or car |

|Host a training/workshop |Create scholarship for student |Throw a kick-ass party |

|Find a mentor |Create a savings account |Develop close friendships |

|Start a business |Donate 10% of salary to charity |Be a guest on TV/Radio |

|Become expert in something |Eliminate credit card debt |Volunteer at local charity |

|Get a degree/certificate |Create a budget |Join a local club or group |

|Family/Friends/ Relationships |Personal Growth/Self-Management |Health/Well-Being |

|Go to a show with friends |Learn to play an instrument |Eat fruit/veggies every day |

|Be a role model |Learn a new language |Complete a 10K run |

|Go on a family trip |Take a photography class |Stop eating fast food |

|Host a family get-together |Attend a self-help workshop |Achieve a certain weight |

|Make a nice dinner for partner |Get rid of clutter in your room |Stop smoking |

|Plan a fun day with your kids |Eliminate a bad habit |Relax 10 minutes every day |

|Recreation/Fun |Religion/Spirituality | |

|Learn a new art or craft |Meditate 5 minutes every day | |

|Go on a long hike |Be grateful for something daily | |

|Travel to exotic place |Pray every day for a month | |

|Participate in a new activity |Go on mission trip | |

|Go horseback riding |Read scriptures every day | |

|Go sky-diving or parasailing |Learn to forgive | |

______________________________ Desired Dream List

(Your name)

|Work/Career/Education |Money/Finances |

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Idea Exchange Worksheet

Dream #1:

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List of Ideas

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Dream #2:

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List of Ideas

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Life Change Challenge

(based on TED talk “Try Something New For 30 Days” by Matt Cutts -

It’s been noted 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. The Life Change Challenge can be for 7-days (one week) or 28-days (one month). As you watch the inspirational TED talk “Try Something New For 30 Days” by Matt Cutts (), try come up with three (3) 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 or 28 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. _________________________________________________________________________________________

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3. _________________________________________________________________________________________

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Now, from your list above, choose one item from your list you are willing to do – remember, for the next 7 or 28 days! Write your choice in the space provided on life change challenge worksheet that accompany this document. For your first item, choose something that is fairly easy to do, easy to identify, and is something that you would be motivated/excited to do. You will also be asked 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 in a month! Note: Whatever you decide to choose to work on for the next month, 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.”

As you come up with your “something new,” think about how your life might change if you were able to successfully complete this. And then imagine what life would be like if you continued living your life completing one-month challenges for the rest of this year – and the rest of your life!

Life Change Challenge

7-Day Commitment Worksheet

Name: ________________________________________________________ Date: _______________________

I promise myself to work on this “activity” over the next 7 days: ________________________________________

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Why this “activity” is important to me: _____________________________________________________________

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Accountability Partner(s):

1. _____________________________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________________________

What I will do to stay on track this week/What good thing happened this week doing this activity: _____________

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( - A good day; took steps to make positive change! ( - Not a good day; did not take steps to make change. (circle one)

|Day |Date |Notes (What action did you take – if any?) |

|1 | |( ( |

|2 | |( ( |

|3 | |( ( |

|4 | |( ( |

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Life Change Challenge

28-Day Commitment Worksheet

(Adapted from Skip Downing’s 32-Day Commitment)

I promise myself to do this new thing over the course of the next 28 days: _______________________________________

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( - A good day; took steps to make change! ( - Not a good day; did not take steps to make change. (circle one)

|Day |Date |Notes (What action did you take – if any?) |

|1 | |( ( |

|2 | |( ( |

|3 | |( ( |

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|After 28 days, how successful were you completing this “project?” How has it changed/impacted your life? Use space below for brief comments: |

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Seven-Word Life Motto

The Seven Word Life Motto is a statement that describes how you want to live your life every day. It’s a purpose statement with restrictions.

Why a Life Motto? And why 7 words? (from )

• 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.

• 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, use the words listed in the “Inspiration” and “Action” sections below, as well as the exercises and activities done over the past two days, to construct your Life Motto.

Inspiration

Inspiration words are words that motivate you, words that excite you, words that may be used to describe you, words that make you feel great. Place a check next to or circle all of the words that resonate with you the most. Note: If there are words that are not listed that fit you better, add them to your list.

Achieve Appreciate Refreshing Exciting Holistic Believe Outstanding

Peaceful Interesting Satisfied Create Cherish Discover Dream

Wish Embrace Laugh Explore Delightful Best Beautiful

Freedom Grow Fulfilling Possible Happy Heavenly Empower

Imagine Courage Inspire Love Lead Live Success

Amazing Joy Special Service Hope Pleasure Passion

Patience Rewarding Vision Play Meaningful Reflect Relax

Unique Renew Fun Strive Smile Treasure Transform

Natural Strong Great Thrive Generous Alive Brilliant

Delicious Grand Outrageous Paradise Precious Special Timeless

Wow Wonder Wise Magic Worthy

Action

Action words describe how you will help others, words that inspire you to take action. Place a check next to or circle all of the words that resonate with you the most. Note: If there are words that are not listed that fit you better, add them to your list.

Discover Empower Teach Prepare Engage Entertain Foster

Encourage Inspire Change Motivate Create Train Provide

Lead Promote Coordinate Enable Advise Advocate Help

Educate Coach Demonstrate Develop Explain Guide Inform

Instruct Nurture Show Influence Cultivate Examine Feed

Counsel Study Make Design Connect Enlist Employ

Assist Facilitate Evaluate Deliver Contribute Construct Mentor

Support Collaborate Build Worship Uplift Transform Unlock

Listen Share Surrender Savor Restore Rejuvenate Reclaim

Prepare Promise Pursue Live Love Lift Invite

Improve Imagine Heal Dream Free Express Explore

Eliminate Direct Gather

Constructing Your Life Motto

Your Life Motto is the story of your present and future. 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 in constructing your motto.

Bill's Life Motto

• How I live my life every day: Dream Big. Live with Purpose. Inspire Others.

• How I serve others in my work: Achieving more than one ever thought possible!

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.

• God has your back, just keep faith.

• Remain receptive. Let faith be your guide.

• Today makes you who you are tomorrow.

• Appreciate Life. Maintain health. Remember to play.

• Be happy. Be strong. Be free. Always.

• Live intentionally. Be for others. Cultivate peace.

• 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.

• Dream spontaneously. Love patiently. Live open-mindedly.

• Have faith. Love one another. Anything’s possible.

• Never be afraid to make an impact.

• Discover daily. Lead with integrity, optimism, love.

• Live every day like it’s my last.

• Persevere through challenges. Achieve success. Gain wisdom.

• Clearly conscious, serving God and people faithfully.

• Connecting people to their God-given destiny.

• Play every day. Live for each moment.

• Magic is something I create every day.

Now, write out your Seven Word Life Motto. Feel free to use any of the words from the choices today, as well as from the choices of the previous assignments in this class. Come up with the seven words that describe how you want to live your life on a daily basis, words that will inspire you when you get out of bed in the morning. When you're feeling down, there will be the words that will inspire you to move forward!

And remember, 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. Write your Seven Word Life Motto on the Life Design U Worksheet.

Letter to Future Self

The Letter to Future Self provides you an opportunity to look at how you’d like your life to look like at some point in the future. Use this as an opportunity to write yourself a letter indicating all of the things you were able to do and achieve over the course of a period of years (but at least one year into the future).

How do you want your future self to be? What goals and dreams will you have completed? What would be your desired status in the following areas: career, business, education, finances, family, friends, love, health, spirituality/religion, recreation, personal growth, service? Make sure to write your letter as if you’ve already achieved these things.

1. Take several minutes to make a mental picture of a time in the future where you'd like to be. Why did you pick this point in the future? What thoughts/feelings did you have when you placed your desired time period? What kind of support do you need to move forward? What problems/mistakes/obstacles do you foresee as you move forward towards this future? What do you think would be your most profound decisions to make?

2. Then spend a couple minutes making a mental list of what you are learning now that could be helpful in moving forward in the future. If you could sit with your older self and share an important piece of advice, what would it be?

3. Start a letter to yourself. Include as many details as you like about the future. Be as empathetic as you can be towards your future self; be respectful of the feelings you have and the understanding of the decisions you'll make. Have fun thinking about your future.

4. Give some advice to your older self. What can your present self offer that might help you in the future? Say whatever you think could be a wake-up call for you. Be gentle, blunt, or funny; be kind but firm.

5. Before putting your pen down, be sure your letter includes a statement of love and forgiveness for your current self. Be sincere and generous, and reassure yourself that your path to the future will be great! After all, you survived and made it to today!

When you're done writing, consider for a moment whether the message in your letter might be relevant to any current issues in your life.

My Contact Information

Bill Johnson, aka “The Dream Dean”

Student Success Navigator, Life Design Catalyst Coach, Coleman Foundation Entrepreneurial Fellow, and Instructor

Advising and Personal Development Center

School of Health and Human Sciences

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Office e-mail: whjohnso@uncg.edu

Office phone: 336-207-6795

Home e-mail: thedreamdean1@

Home phone: 302-465-0440

Work web site:



Personal Blog:

Twitter: thedreamdean1

2016 ON COURSE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

EVALUATION OF PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

CREATING A LIFE THAT’S ON COURSE FOR YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS

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