The 2nd Step In Creating Your Reinvention Story
We already learnt that the 1st step to reinvention, is just getting started. Done.
Onto Step 2… “Going Backwards“
Arlene, assures us that, that “going backwards” is exactly what we have to do in order to figure out how to go forward and figure out which directions we are open to you. She also warns us that reinvention is not about creating a whole new identity, but rather it’s about starting where you are and building on who you’ve been.
She wants us to “try and remember who we were deep inside, before you got cynical and before your inner critic learned how to push your buttons”.(Dickinson, Arlene “Reinvention“)
Who were you before you got lost in the busyness of all of life’s responsibilities and obligations. When were you still care free, curious and open to all the universe had to offer. Reflecting on your child hood will help start to figure out where you want to spend some time and see if anything grows.
ACTION STEP… “Who Do You Think You Were?”
In the book “How To Find Your Purpose After 40″ by Susan Paget, she shares an exercise to help you get started on your own fact finding mission, of who you were. She asks us to think back to your 12 year old self, and reflect on some of the things you enjoyed doing.
How you enjoyed spending time alone? What moved you? What inspired you? What excited you? What did you want to be when you grew up? Who did you admire?
Don’t worry if you are drawing a blank, Arlene wants you to use everything you’ve got…dig through old diaries, photo albums, yearbooks. Ask family, friends, people who knew you well when you were younger, what were you like? What do they remember about you? Anything that will take you back and remind you of who you used to be and what made your heart happy.
“Revisiting your childhood self puts you directly in touch with your own optimistic, open-to-all-the-universe-has-to-offer-self.” (Arlene Dickenson)
Whatever it is big or small, just write it on down. No idea should be left unexplored. Think of it as an experiment, a Reinvention Experiment. No idea is a bad idea. It is merely data on your mission to remember who you were. Test them out, take what works and leave the rest behind, tweaking and testing along the way.
From your list write down your top 3 things. I’ll go first.
- I loved to read and write stories and poems.
- I loved to dance.
- I loved eating delicious foods.
- I loved to play PG13 Barbies. (ok this feels weird to include but in brainstorming no idea is a bad idea. Right?)
NOW WHAT?
According to Susan, she wants us to look at what we’ve written, and figure out what still holds true for us today. Do you still enjoy these things? Are there any connections between what you enjoyed doing as a 12 year old and what you do now? What sort of kid were you?
Are there any action steps you can take today to investigate these clues and determine some directions of paths to go down and start exploring and experimenting with.
ACTION STEPS!
1.Writing. Joined https://freedombynumber.com/product/blog-by-number-course/ and started this blog as a way to help me reconnect with my joy of creating and writing again.
2. Dancing? I guess I could look into adult dance classes? Maybe exercise classes would bring out the same feelings? I will research some options and sign up this week. Svelte Training has
3. Love of delicious Food. SOURDOUGH. Jumping on the bandwagon. Workshops from https://www.redhenartisanale.com/
4. PG13 Barbies, well I am happy to report I did grow up to marry my real life Ken aka Santiago.
Ok your turn. What can you do today to get started on your own reinvention experiment.
Your story’s not over.
Join our Reinvention Experiment https://nextchapterblog.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=28&action=edit And find out if you have what it takes to create the next chapter in your reinvention story.
Get a copy of Arlene Dickinson’s book “Reinvention” here https://www.amazon.ca/Reinvention-Changing-Your-Career-Future/dp/1443451649
