I created and performed an exercise which helped me see my life from a very different point of view. I got a much clearer picture of what is going on, and what needs to be done. It had a tremendous impact on me, and I am sure it will help you out too. So, I decided to share it here.

A simple exercise called "Growth Mapping" can help us get a perspective on our current state and our future. Using this exercise, you can get an idea of where you stand in any area of your life, and where you want to be in that area in another year. There are two parts to this exercise, which are described below. Once you complete those two parts, you can save the map and keep it with you for an year, where you can measure your progress.

Me, in Month, Year

Take a sheet of paper, and write the heading "Me, in Month, Year", for example, "Me, in May, 2009." In bullet points list out your current status in any area of life that is important to you. It can include your family life (for example, "happily married"), your career, your hobbies, your weight, your health, your home (for example, "a rented home which could use some cleaning up"), your financial situation etc. Since this exercise is for your eyes only, feel free to include even your most personal goals. You can also include the languages you know (if you want to learn a new language in another year), the skills you have (dancing, skiing, writing...) and how you are using them currently, your current status in reading books or writing your own book or painting your master piece or composing your own music or performing on stage in your band or anything else which matters to you. Be honest and as thorough as you can, and take your time with this step.

Be, in Month, Year

Now, on the reverse of the same paper, write the heading "Be, in Month, Year", for example, "Be, in May, 2010." Here you can include your target for next year for each of the goals listed in the previous page. Remember to make these goals realistic. They should also justify your potential. These goals need not be your life time goals for each area, they just need to be what you want to achieve in exactly a year. Take time to think about them clearly, and write them down.

Then, keep this paper with you so that you can see it daily. Think about what you can do each day to get closer to your target. Maybe you will have to do things one small step at a time, but make sure you keep at it. Let your desire to achieve your goals motivate you. When you complete one item on your "Be" list, you can cross it off, and gloat over it all you like. ;)

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