(Click here to enlarge)People often get revelations about themselves by looking at the best parts of their lives in a special way. This peak experience exercise has its roots in the teachings of Abraham Maslow, and in the techniques of NLP (neuro-linguistic programming). Do this in a quiet, relaxed state. It is ok to ask for input from others to recall these best experiences, but then return to a quiet space alone to finish out the exercise.
- Define the experiences. From each aspect of your life (Education, Relationships, Work), and at perhaps more than one age, remember particular experiences that gave you joy, a thrill, at which you feel you were at your best. Describe the experience. i.e. Started a business and moved quickly to success.
- Think about what feelings the experience created for you (joy, pride, confidence, excitement, comfort, accomplishment, etc)
- Vividly recall the situation. Who were you with, where were you, what could you see, hear, sense?
- What actions did you take to create the outcome? [Contacted clients, bankers, new vendors, hired people]
- What skills do you have that enabled you to take those actions? [Domain knowledge, ability to analyze things quickly, decisiveness, willingness to risk]
- How could you apply the skills again? What else can you do with those skills?
- Look for patterns – similarities in the actions and skills, that help define who you are and your capabilities.
- Anchor the resources you discover in yourself, so that you can access the skills again and again.
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