When we decide to move forward in life, it’s imperative to first understand where we currently stand and envision where we want to be. Without these reference points, progress can feel elusive and directionless. On your journey of self-discovery, we’ll begin by contemplating two fundamental questions:
- Where Are You Right Now?
- Where Do You Want to Go?
Life’s progress is continuous and subtle
Imagine welcoming a tiny, adorable puppy into your life. It’s endearing, and you might secretly wish it could stay that way forever. However, as the days pass, that once-pint-sized pup grows at an astonishing rate. Yet, when you spend every waking moment with your four-legged companion, you may not notice the transformation as vividly as someone who sees the dog sporadically. Your progress in life is a lot like that—continuous and subtle.
Think about it: every day, you accumulate a wealth of life experiences, each contributing to your journey of self-discovery. But when asked if you’ve made progress over the year, you might shrug it off, not recognizing the small but significant steps you’ve taken.
So, where are you right now?
Much like design thinking, the first step in the life innovation process is recognizing where you currently stand. But how do you do that? It’s as simple as conducting primary and secondary research on yourself. Primary research involves introspection, self-interviews, and deep reflection. Actionable tools could be:
- Journaling to specific questions about your life
- Interviewing yourself with prepared questions
- Conversations with people who know you
Secondary research entails reviewing existing information:
- Reviewing your LinkedIn profile
- Summarising your educational background
- Writing down significant points in your life history
Exploring opportunities & defining goals
Now that you have a sense of where you are, it’s time to set your sights on where you want to go. This phase is all about tapping into your creative side. Design thinking encourages a two-step process: divergence (exploring a wide range of possibilities) and convergence (narrowing down the options to clear objectives).
Now, where do you want to go?
To kickstart this process, take a moment to lean back, close your eyes, and let your imagination run wild with thoughts of your dream life. Forget about the constraints of SMART goals, feasibility, or any barriers that might pop into your mind. Imagine that you have an unlimited budget to create a blockbuster film about your ideal life. Picture yourself in this dream scenario—your surroundings, the people around you, and even the outfit you’re wearing. Make it as vibrant and detailed as possible, embracing every aspect. Ask yourself: “In the perfect scenario:
- Where am I?
- What am I doing?
- Who’s around?
- How am I feeling?
Conclusion
Understanding “where we are” and “where we are going” is pivotal in reaching our best selves. As our continuous, subtle progress often goes unnoticed, recognizing our current circumstances and envisioning our desired future provides a critical reference point for personal growth. It’s a dual process: first, introspection, self-interviews, and reflection help us identify our present status, while next, we unleash our creativity to explore a range of possibilities for our ideal life. Bridging the gap between these two points – where we stand and where we want to be – is the transformative journey that leads us to become our best selves. For now, let your imagination soar, and embrace the art of dreaming up your dream life!
In the grand story of your life, you’re the author, director, and star. So, let’s embark on the journey of self-discovery together!