wow! It’s January, 2015, the time when many of us write New Year’s Resolutions. So, it’s the perfect time to write about setting goals, a chapter from my book, and treasure mapping, a fun and visual way to set your goals and dreams on paper.
When my sister and I were little girls, mom would say, “We’re going to take a road trip this summer. Let’s get out the maps.” We’d plan our route: how long each day would take, how we’d pack the car, snacks we’d take, songs we’d sing. She even had each of us clean out a dresser drawer — the trip drawer. For weeks, she’d buy items for the trip–they went in the trip drawer. Things like a new tooth brush, new tennis shoes.
Looking back, I appreciate that she was teaching us far more than panning a vacation. She was teaching us toe fun of setting a goal, making a plan, anticipating the journey and taking steps to make it reality. She built in the joy of planning our vacation. As an adult, my sister plans huge events and manages sophisticated accounts professionally; I write book, teach and plan courses and workshops. We’re both invigorated and get great satisfaction from planning and actualizing goals.
But let’s talk about one fun particularly planning tool, treasure mapping. By treasure mapping or vision boarding, I mean making a visual collage of your goals and dreams. You could make a vision board of your future job, or the relationship you want. I made one of the new home I wanted; and I have everything I put on the board. Use a file folder, or opened paper bag or piece of tag board. Find magazine pictures that represent your goals. Cut them out and paste them onto your board. Take your time assembling the collage.
Put the collage where you can see it daily, so those images get into your brain. Barbara Laporte’s book, Goal Achievement Through Treasure Mapping, gives you more details. Once you’ve reviewed your collage, see if you want to change anything. Many folks I now who’ve done this proves have found they get what they put on the collage, so be careful what you ask for. And, have FUN!!
Jill Raiguel, MFT, is a psychotherapist at Kohut Psychiatric medical Group in San Bernardino, Ca., and she have a private practice using her shamanic tools. Her new book Alternative Healing Beyond Recovery will be published the end of this month, January, 2015.
Alternative Healing Beyond Recovery 