Lifemaps A Step-By-Step Method for Simplifying 101 of Life's Most Overwhelming Projects

Chapter 1: how to use lifemaps the basicsEach Lifemap begins with a section that briefly describes the premise of the map. When you're trying to get from one point to another, a map is a real convenience. It's the best resource for determining how to reach your destination, what landmarks you should look for, what turns to take. A map describes a path but not your journey. Although a road may not change, it's different for every traveler. Each Lifemap in this book is based on this same premise. In the pages that follow, you'll find information to help you deal with many issues you're likely to face in your personal or professional life. Today, with the demands of family and career pulling in several directions at once, it's often difficult to focus your energy where needed. Lifemaps can help prepare you for specific life challenges. Like any map, though, they only describe the landscape through which you must travel. Their value rests with how well you use and adapt the insights they offer for reaching personal goals.inside informationThe second section of each map provides more detail as it discusses the underlying strategy of the Lifemap. There's always something more you need to know in order to accomplish your goal. We come at many of life's challenges as outsiders; here you'll find a quick synopsis or refresher course that can help you implement the strategy described in the Lifemap. Sometimes that means knowing what forces are at work and the challenges each imposes. In other situations, the focus is on established policies and procedures. Occasionally the section presents a discussion of prevailing trends shaping the topic. The intent in each is to help you develop the understanding and insight necessary to effectively adapt the Lifemap to your life.jargonHere you'll find definitions of some key terms you're likely to encounter as you use the Lifemap. Every business and specialty has its own terms and terminology. Some are uncommon meanings of common words. Or there may be a word you're unlikely to see anywhere else. In a few situations, a definition may describe a document or process specific to the subject of the Lifemap.fyiThe purpose here is to provide some supplemental information to enhance your understanding of the topic. The value of the Lifemaps depends much on what you bring or add to each. You can get a quick grasp of a topic and solution from these pages, but it may take additional research and work on your part to effectively adapt and implement each strategy.warningThis section alerts you to common dangers, pitfalls, and false assumptions that can impede your progress. Every situation, every individual is different. Each Lifemap presents a plan as a linear progression of logical steps. Some you'll fly through; others pose obstacles to further progress; some may even present you with entirely new challenges. Lifemaps are not solutions but recommended strategies you can adapt to your situation.Here you'll find sources of additional information to help you master each topic and realize your goals. You should be able to draw enough from these pages to tackle many problems. Sometimes, though, you'll need to supplement your understanding or turn to an expert for additional help. Depending on the topic, recommended resources may include books and publications; Web sites of companies or agencies; organizations; or any combination of these.Note:The Internet URLs were correct at the time this book went to press; however, all URLs are subject to change. Copyright copy; 2002 by Third Millennium Press, Inc., Michael Antoniak, and Stephen M. Pollan Chapter 2: how to approach any problem the basicsProblems -- "challenges" might be a more appropriate term -- present themselves at every turn, in every day of our lives. They can be as simple as finding directionPollan, Stephen M. is the author of 'Lifemaps A Step-By-Step Method for Simplifying 101 of Life's Most Overwhelming Projects' with ISBN 9780743400619 and ISBN 0743400615.