As stated in the
last post, I have been in a conference this week where I delivered an
empowerment presentation. The basic
premise is the unlimited capacity of the brain and systems for tapping into
that as part of the process of self-improvement. The outline below was a supplemental piece to
the presentation, as is the outline that follows. This is certainly not UCC, but is the core
basis of the work I do. I wanted to share it with anyone who might have an
interest. I welcome a dialogue with
anyone who might want to do so.
Pathways
to Excellence for Continuing Legal Education Professionals
Part
I: Professional Evolution: A Plan
I.
Start Date: When are you going to begin the process?
II.
Quantify available time for Personal Development
a.
Create block calendar for the week [or other block of time
if more conducive];
b.
Identify 5-6 blocks of time when positive steps can be
taken;
c.
In the identification process, the goal is to select those
blocks where work can be undertaken. Some will be more appealing than
others. The goal is simply to identify
possibilities;
d.
Blocks should be 1-2 hours in duration;
III.
Select Blocks of Time
a.
Select 2-3 blocks of
time where you are most likely to take action;
b.
Commit to specific action with the time blocks selected;
c.
Factor in the reality that life’s exigencies might make
execution on a particular block impossible;
d.
Further factor in that missing a time block does not derail
you, as you have built in backups..
1.
It is understood that perfection in the implementation
process is subject to the exigencies of life.
It is further understood that the pressure to perform constantly is
unbearable over time. Therefore, the
system builds in the reality that sometimes you just don’t feel like doing what
you know you should. However, you also
know that you have created a program which allows you to do this. Indeed, sometimes it is good to just take a
day off and enjoy the block you have now created for anything you choose.
2.
It is however, essential to connect with 2-3 blocks to make
progress. As you see progress, you will
want to do more. But even then, avoid
the temptation of going from 2-3 times per week to six. There must always be some relationship to
your baseline starting point and the target in mind.
IV.
Target Goals: What is it you seek to accomplish and within
what time frame?
V.
Motivation
What is
my core motivation to succeed? Why do I
want to be the best that I can be? This
is a process which requires considerable thought. Remember that the
motivational element will be the fuel that drives the process; hence it is
critically important to identify the highest level motivational factors.
VI.
Introspective Analysis: Personal Level
A.
As a Physical Form
This is the easiest
step in the overall process because it is objective. The first part of this analysis involves
understanding that as a human being we are comprised of trillions of cells
which have combined to form a thinking, feeling and living person. We are living miracles. Once this is at least cognitively recognized,
and consciously stored, we are ready to proceed with this very basic analysis.
In this stage, the
participant simply lists such things as height, weight and general physical
skills and characteristics, as they currently exist, while placing in them in
their personal evolutionary context.
Most of us think 'in the moment', rather than as a part of a larger
stream of events which got us to the moment.
We often tend to see life as a still frame photo, rather than as an
ongoing 'feature film'.
By analyzing
ourselves from a physical standpoint, over the course of our lives, we take an
initial step toward connecting past to present and do so in a way that is
easily definable. Moreover, there is a
lot to be learned in terms of who we are and how many decisions were made,
based upon these facts. For example,
people who are physically talented at an early age, or who possess physical
features which are admired by peers or adults, see life through a much
different set of eyes than someone without those skills and features.
The decision making
process and general outlook of the individual will naturally reflect these
individual characteristics. Making that
particular connection is very helpful in understanding how we have made
decisions and who we have become.
B.
Philosophically
Whereas Part A involves primarily objective
matters of measurement, this process involves a personal inventory of ‘who you
are’. What are the core philosophies
that have guided your decision making?
What are the dominant philosophies in your daily life? What philosophies of life do you embrace?
What are your predominant personality characteristics—positive and negative.
In this process you are being honest with
you. No one but you knows what you are
thinking and it is imperative to establish a level of direct honesty with
yourself if you are going to succeed at the highest level.
The identification of these philosophies
will yield positives and negatives. Overwhelmingly, the members of ACLEA have
shown me amazingly positive qualities which is a major reason I am putting this
material together at this level. The
preparation for the conference coincides with many of my major philosophies,
and therefore, my behavior lines up with those core beliefs.
All of us however, have behaviors which
don’t line up with what we want ourselves to be. Included in these behavior are thoughts. These need to be identified as well.
Once the positive philosophies and areas of
short coming have been identified, three areas should be selected as
targets. From nearly 5 decades of
working on this, I can assure you that you will never run out of target areas!
C.
Quantify Operative Level
This will be something new for most people,
but it is a skill that can be developed. The essence of the process involves an
examination of the level at which you are functioning in the areas you have
selected for targeting. Assume for
example, you selected Discipline as an area in which you want to improve. To quantify your operative level, you would
analyze situations in which discipline is tested.
As
you undertake this analysis, you will start to see a picture. Obviously,
mathematical certainty is not possible, but, an individual will be able to say
with some certainty that he or she demonstrates the desired level of discipline
a certain percentage of the time. This
number is anywhere from 0 to 80. If you
are hitting 80 per cent positive in an area of importance, that is good enough
at this point. It may be you will want to get better even at that level, but
that can be done in conjunction with other areas in which more improvement is
needed.
Once the focus areas have been quantified,
they are individually graphed [Diagram #4].
Those coordinates are then linked together which will create the
baseline for improvement.
D.
Quantify Level of Desired Advancement
As with everything connected to personal
improvement, there must be a reasonable relationship between the current level
of a particular target behavior and the desired level. For example, many of us could use more
patience. Particularly, as the day goes on. Sometimes we may snap at a
colleague or be short tempered with someone who did absolutely nothing
wrong.
Upon analysis you might conclude that you
want to improve from a 40% level of acceptable levels of patience, and your
target goal is to improve to 60%. Or, in the absence of a precise target, just
to get better. I have found that 20%
increments are doable and sufficient to experience great progress.
E.
Identify Specific Situations Where Improvement Can Take
Place at a High Level
In the example given above, it is likely
that certain people push certain buttons in typical situations. for example,
someone at work regularly pushes your buttons—intentionally or not
intentionally, and you lose your patience which is reflected in some behavior
or thought you regret.
It could start long before work—at the home
front for example. Moreover, they
certainly don’t need to involve other people.
There are many times individuals lose their patience when they are the
only participant in the situation.
Regardless of the variables involved, the
key thing is to identify the situations where you are likely to get tested.
These situations should be identified as they appear throughout the course of
the day.
Once the situation is identified, at work
for example, you have established the playing field on which to improve. You know the target will appear and do
something that will irritate you for no good reason. By preparing, you have geared up to
improve. You anticipate how you will
react to what ever it is that normally drives you crazy, and you plan how you
are going to react. It may take a few
tries, but eventually you get there and you begin to see some concrete
progress.
F.
Identify Concrete Steps Which Can Be Taken
The key to systematic improvement in
targeted areas is to identify with the greatest particularity concrete steps
which will enable you to improve in your target areas. This should be simple in form and written
down. Each time you follow the new and improved
protocol you get better. Over time, you
transition into being a more patient person because you have programmed
yourself to do so.
This basic process can be used in any area
and repeated until the desired level of success has been achieved
VII.
Introspective Analysis: Professional Level
A.
Productivity
B.
Efficiency of Time
C.
Knowledge Base
VIII.
Quantify Levels of Productivity, Efficiency of Time, and
Knowledge from an area of 0 to 100.
Graph these elements and connect the dots.
IX.
Quantify Desired Level of Improvement
1.
How much do I want to improve?
2.
Analyze situations where process of improvement can be
maximized;
3.
List concrete steps to be taken in those situations;
X.
Take the concrete steps listed.
Pathways
to Personal Excellence for Continuing Legal Education
Professionals
Chicago Illinois, August 4, 2016
Personal Power Plan
I.
Start Date:______________
II.
Identify Blocks of Time For Personal Development:
1.
Day_______Time Block________
2.
Day_______Time Block________
3.
Day_______Time Block________
4.
Day_______Time Block________
5.
Day_______Time Block________
6.
Day_______Time Block________
7.
Day_______Time Block________
III.
Select Blocks of Time For Work
A.
Day_______Time Block________
B.
Day_______Time Block________
C.
Day_______Time Block________
IV.
Solidify Perspective:
A.
Unlimited Mental Potential; [Brain physiology]
B.
Unlimited Planes of Existence [Allegory of the Cave]
C.
Appropriate Effort Guarantees Results
V.
Target Goals
My
primary goals in the execution of this plan are
1.
_____________
2.
_____________
3.
_____________
VI.
Motivational Elements
1.
______________
2.
______________
VII.
Introspective Analysis: Personal
Note:
Successful Professional Evolution can take place with this analysis and focus
on the personal aspects of one’s life.
However, as one improves as a person—particularly in certain key areas,
professional improvement to some degree is automatic.
This area requires more time to explain
than is available. The basic steps
however, are outlined below, in the discussion of Professional Evolution.
VIII.
Introspective Analysis: Professional
Macro Level
In this process we are looking at ourselves
objectively in the professional setting.
What is my philosophy of interaction and behavior toward workers and my
responsibilities? Here it is easy to see
the connection between who we are as a person and the impact upon our
professional behavior.
Situational
Level
This deals with areas of focus in the
workplace. The introspective process is
procedurally the same and is discussed below.
The focus of the conference is on professional matters, and hence the
identification of potential areas below
The areas selected below are illustrative of many that
could be chosen. Introspective analysis in the professional setting can be as
complex as personal introspection.
Illustrative
areas for focus:
D.
Productivity
E.
Efficiency of Time
F.
Knowledge Base
Substantive
Marketing
IX.
Application of basic process to areas selected
Philosophical
Professional Framework
A.
Quantify Operative Level in Philosophies selected;
B.
Note ‘coordinates’ on vertical graph;
C.
Chart ‘coordinates’ of where you want to be;
D.
Identify specific situations which offer meaningful
opportunity to improve;
E.
List concrete steps that can be taken for improvement;
F.
Execute
XII. Targeted Professional Evolution
Proceeding
with Selected Areas of Focus
A.
Quantify Operative Level in Target areas selected;
B.
Note ‘coordinates’ on vertical graph;
C.
Chart ‘coordinates’ of where you want to be;
D.
Identify specific situations which offer meaningful
opportunity to improve;
E.
List concrete steps that can be taken for improvement;
F.
Execute
XIII. Continuing the Process
Once success is
achieved in a category, or connected sequence, a new area of focus or sequence
is selected.
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