Go Back To Your Future
The following exercise is brought to you (adapted) from Conversational Intelligence by the late Judith Glaser. It’s great for capturing life themes and high level, long-term planning if you’re doing a reset or pivot.
I would mark your calendar for a time you can unwind and reflect uninterrupted, anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes depending on pace. You can do it solo or with a partner.
On a sheet of paper, create a visual — a timeline, a chart, a mindmap, whathaveyou — dividing your life into thirds or decades. Use the time period and format that makes most intuitive sense.
Reflect on 1–3 key events or situations per time period that had a big impact:
- Describe the situation or event in a few words or sentences
- Who were key characters and/or advisors
- What was the story you told (then vs now) about the event
- What have been the key lessons or takeaways
Next identify patterns/themes:
- What do you want to leverage or carry forward, change or stop?
- How do these insights inform long-term goals or next steps?
Finally, acknowledge yourself or your partner for strengths and growing with intention.
The events will likely have been a mix of positive and negative at the time they occurred (that’s normal and healthy). There’s just as much to learn from our failures and challenges as our roaring successes. Similarly, if you find yourself focusing largely on “dips” over peaks I would get curious about the bright spots you may not have noticed, without forcing it. Bottom line, we’re celebrating and leveraging the whole shebang.
Make it extra special by setting the scene in a way that feels soothing, attractive and comfortable to you personally.
Enjoy!
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