May 16 2010
SYDNEY SEMINAR MAY 25, 2010 – NAVIGATING A MEANINGFUL LIFE
Once we get to 5 on the moodometer, I believe that we should start thinking about what we would like our ideal life to look like in 5 years. It is so much more productive to be focussing on what we do want, rather than what we don’t want.
There are probably 4 main components of this:
- DO - What do I want to be doing?
- BE - Which of my talents and character qualities do I want to be using?
- WHO - Who do I want to be doing this with?
- WHERE – do I want to be?
Over the last 6 months I’ve been doing a lot of reflection on this topic area. In December last year, I met Karynne Courts - www.valuesconnection.com.au - who for the last 10 years has been doing work with leaders to help them understand who their authentic self is, by having them complete a values inventory with them. I have also been doing a lot of work in the Positive Psychology space with the Virtues Inventory, which helps people to understand what their character strengths are. We had both also read very widely around the whole concept of helping people to discover a life of meaning. To cut a long story short, Karynne and I decided to run a pilot course of “Navigating a meaningful life by understanding your whYcode” with 15 people which ran over 8 weeks.
What is a whYcode?
We all have unique values, talents, qualities, and passions. Learning what these are isn’t always easy, and Karynne and I put our experience together to help people understand what is truly important to them. We face decisions every day – big and small – and we believe that when we face this “Y” (fork) in the road, that if you have good personal insight – i.e. understand your whYcode – this will help you make fast decisions that strengthen, rather than weaken you.
Career fulfilment is essential for our wellbeing
Having spent 12 years in recruiting and outplacement, I am aware of how few people work in a career that they would describe as fulfilling. When I did my original research for BACK FROM THE BRINK, I discovered that the 350 people I interviewed rated “fulfilling work” as the number 4 most effective strategy for overcoming depression – where “medication” was rated number 7.
The outcome of the pilot and shorter version I recently conducted in Chicago
Participants in the pilot course found it tremendously helpful to be able to identify their whYcode. For some people it was quite a surprise when they rediscovered what “lights their fire”.
Based on the feedback we received from the pilot course, Karynne and I further simplified the course which I presented at the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance conference in Chicago.
A prominent US mental health blogger, Marcia Purse, attended the conference and she wrote:
“The highest point of all was the last event - keynote speaker Graeme Cowan’s “How to Bounce Back and Thrive in Challenging Times.” In the near future I’ll start challenging all of you with some of the things he challenged the audience to do and think about”.
Understanding your whYcode is absolutely essential to being able to bounce back and thrive in challenging times.
What do you think contributes to meaning in life?
Are work and your community activities important to you? What have you found helpful to find meaning in your life? Please share your experience by commenting on the blog below.
A free overview of the course
On Tuesday May 25 from 6-8pm, I will be running a free overview of this seminar at the City Fringe Meditation Space in East Sydney (see link below).
http://www.meditationspace.com.au/meditation_space/Program_May_2010.html
If this is of interest to you, it is essential you confirm your place immediately online at the link above - as there are only a limited number of seats that can fit in the venue.
Address 99 Crown Street, East Sydney 2010
voice-box 02 8011 4995 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting
email eastsydney@au.bkwsu.org
We are located at 99 Crown Street in East Sydney, next to the City Gym between Stanley and William Streets.
For those people interstate or overseas – if you would interested in attending a course such as this, or have any questions or comments please respond to the blog.
New corporate site launched
I have just completed a new site – www.GraemeCowan.com.au – which is for organisations that would like to use my services to speak or consult. If you know anyone who may be seeking someone to speak on how to bounce back and thrive from challenging times, please direct them there.
I look forward to your comments.
Kind Regards
Graeme
Hi Graeme
Two of us would like to attend your overview on “Navigating a meaningful life by understanding your whYcode” on Tuesday night 25 May 2010.
Kind regards
Nada and Rod
Hi Graeme
I live 50kms out of Melbourne however if you are considering running a similar seminar in Melbourne I would be interested in attending.
I loved reading both of your books and am slowly learning what is important in my life and who is important in my life. Having suffered since I was 13 and not knowing what was wrong with me and recently turning 59 I am finally getting the help and medication I need. I now realize that life is too short to waste time with people who don’t understand depression and to spend time with people who are supportive, who are interesting and passionate about what they do which in turn movitates you to follow your own passion and to not worry about the critics. I have worried for too long about what other people think or might think. I have been reassessing my life and the 4 components you mention are exactly the things I have slowly started working through but I hadn’t expressed it in such a simplistic way which all makes so much sense.
Congratulations of the the great work you are doing. Regards Jan Wilson