Gaining Perspective
Each person is unique. God shapes each of us over an entire lifetime for unique purposes. He has a plan (calling or purpose) for our lives. And He has created each of us in the hope that we will seek to discover and live-out that special life-course which He Himself has prepared in advance for us.
Coming to understand the way God is attempting to orchestrate our lives involves a process of self- discovery. This process is aided by personal reflection, prayer and processing with other mature leaders. It is also helped along by comparing how God generally works in developing Christian leaders over a lifetime.
Your Time Line
What a time line can do for me:
A time line can help orient us and give us a better sense of direction toward our destination.
A time line can help me to focus in on key aspects of my development such as:
1. Boundaries (MAJOR TRANSITIONS, PARADIGM SHIFTS)in my life
2. Critical Incidents (UNUSUAL EXPERIENCES THAT ARE FORMATIVE)
3. Influential people (VALUES OFTEN ARE IMPRESSED UPON US IN THIS WAY)
4. Key Lessons Learned
Making a visually explicit map of my life history also enables me to better explain myself to others – to help them understand me and my journey with God to date.
The time line helps me Label developmental stages of my life.
A time line allows me to continue to reflect on my life and to life- schedule more confidently in the future.
Getting Started with Your Life- Map (the "Post-it Note" Way)
Find a reflective place to think.
Brainstorm the significant people, events and circumstances and life lessons that have shaped your life.
* Think back to your earliest memories and work your way to the present.
* As images and thoughts come to mind, record these on posts- it notes
* Only one item per note, using one word or a short phrase to describe the actual event
* Place the notes on the table in front of you, in no particular order
* This is simply BRAINSTORMING, so don't explain, feel guilty, or get hung up on details
Putting it all together:
Arrange and recopy them according to time and category. Be creative!
The categories are:
1. BOUNDARIES (MAJOR TRANSITIONS, PARADIGM SHIFTS)in my life
2. CRITICAL INCIDENTS (UNUSUAL EXPERIENCES THAT ARE FORMATIVE) (This is slightly less impactful than a boundary event)
3. INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE (VALUES OFTEN ARE IMPRESSED UPON US IN THIS WAY)
4. KEY LESSONS LEARNED
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