Start with a 2” loose-leaf binder with a clear plastic window on the front cover.
Divide the binder into the following sections (using large tabbed dividers):
• Who am I? (self-assessments)
• Where am I going (information and resources, field research)
• How am I going to get there? (goals/intentions and implementation strategy).
• What are my sources of support? (networking contacts)
Sub-divide the “Who am I?” section with small tabbed dividers labeled with each assessment category; i.e. skills, interests, values, personality traits, family influences, environmental preferences, learning style, and inner motivations.
Enter into the “How am I going to get there?” section samples of work, such as writing samples, budgets, IT reporting samples, artwork, graphics, and website samples.
Example: Section 1: Who Am I?
Strengths
- Creative
- Love Change
- Resourceful
- Curious
- Big Picture
- Adventurous
- Problem Solving
- Flexible
- Loyal
- Studious
Passions
- Providing a Legacy
- Telling One's Story
- New Experiences
- Doing Something Different
- Further Pursuit of One's Professional Field
- Being Creative
- Opportunities for Learning
- Challenges
- Using Technology for World Improvement
- Surprises
Intraspychic (inner Guidance)
Sense: Aroma
Organ: Nose (closed eyes)
Activators (visualization, meditation, aromatherapy)
Meaning (purpose, transcendence, spiritual fulfillment)
Inner Motivations
Primary: Passia
2ndary: Servia
Tercieary: Quiessa
Example: Section 2: Where Am I Going?
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
Dr. Seuss, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"*
Imagine yourself in your ideal work environment. Here's what I would write, " I sit in my writing garden under dappled sunlight, inviting others to share their life stories. Together we bask in filtered light, figuring out how to create the future by reflecting upon the past and being fully in the present. "
I intend to use my ability to generate ideas and my desire to help people reach their potential to to help caregivers balance career, caregiving, and self-care.
The clearer your vision emerges, the more likely it will come true! At least that's what happened to me. When you can articulate your ideal work setting to others, you are even closer to creating that environment.
Instructions
Envision your ideal live/work environment decade by decade for the rest of your life. Answer the following questions for each decade:
Example: Section 3: How Will I Get There?
I can't believe most people like to spend most of their time indoors in offices. Yet, that's where many people do their work. I can't believe that people like to stand on their feet all day. Yet, many teachers have knee operations by the time or before they are ready to retire. What are we doing to our bodies and to what end? Is there another way? By envisioning our ideal environment, maybe it will materialize, resulting in satifying work for ourselves and for those who enter into our environment of choice. That's what happened when I envisioned Cafe Philo (a philosophy cafe for career practitioners who were also poets or authors) several years ago at a NCDA Conference. Here's what happened at Cafe Philo.
Even before Cafe Philo, I envisioned Cafe Vitae, an environment at conferences where I offer complementary job search tips "Vitae" is plural of "vita" which is a professional resume, often used by doctors and educators. "Vita" is derived from the Latin word, "life". Imagine creating a work environment to celebrate "life"! Every year, at the Professional Businesswomen's Conference, I offer Cafe Vitae, a career, caregiving, and self-care service.
I created a collage of Cafe Gratitude (a real cafe in the San Francisco Bay area), which hangs on my dining-room wall. I feel gratitude for living in environments of my choice. My husband built for me a little garden filled with lavender and jasmine. I invite clients and friends to sit and talk at a canopied table in my garden. I also meet with clients and friends at outdoor cafes.
Have you heard the term "LiveWork Space?" I envision a live/work eldering community, in which active elders live in "green communities," within walking distance from the corner healthy food store, and provide educational workshops for the community. What is your "live/work space" of choice?
While my goal of creating a live/work community is formulating, I still need to live in the here and now. Creating a satisfactory environment in my current situation is equally important to creating an ideal space for the future. My little garden setting is available to me now. Even more immediately, I work at my computer near a window with filtered light casting patterns on a little balcony. My computer screen has images of nature. I listen to peaceful music as I work at my computer.
When I was helping my almost 88-year old mother move from a home she had lived in for 40 years, emotions were high and scheduling was tight. To maintain balance, I took a half hour every day to jog in the early morning, and listened to uplifting music on my IPOD as I was packing.
Keywords: portfolio activity, sg. ACAeport