5 in 5 - July 2019 - Goal Mapping

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of 

each month I post 5 photos that I have 

taken in 5 minutes.

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a Goal Mapping training in London, run by Andy Coley.  I like mind maps and these are used by many people including me, and I wondered what the difference would be. 

Goal Mapping was created by Brian Mayne, and so I did some research before I went. There are free printouts online to download, and good instructions. 

The idea behind Goal Mapping is that you use the right and left hemispheres of the brain.  The logical and the creative.  So it is important to have the maps the right way round when you use them, and follow the sequence that helps to create a flow.  

Starting on the left page you write the words that describe your main goal in the centre box, and then 4 smaller goals that are part of this.  I won't go into the whole process here, but after completing each section one at a time, you then switch to the right hand page and draw images or symbols that correspond, and represent your words. You use colour, creativity, draw outside the box and be playful!  Because that's how your mind works best, and whether you are a logical or creative thinker (and we are all both to different degrees) this process works well.

Not confident drawing? Then use magazine images instead.  I always have a pile of pictures and words cut out in readiness for collage and journaling, but just grab yourself a magazine and thumb through.  You'll be amazed at what catches your attention, but don't get too distracted!  And it doesn't have to be images, it can be patterns, design, colour, what ever connects with you and represents a meaning. The important thing is that it has relevance to YOU.

At the training Andy guided us through creating our own Goal Map and I learnt that it is important to be really succinct. To  find the core, and to use affirmations as though you have already achieved your goal.  This is to instruct your mind, so by saying 'I like a healthy life' in the present tense you create action and response.  By saying 'I will live a healthy life' is future based. Your mind is less likely to pick up on this as it needs clear instructions.

I found the training really helpful and Goal Mapping is certainly something I will embrace in future. I have bought Brian Mayne's book of the same title, which goes into the process in more detail, and as mentioned there are also good resources online.  

After the training I had a 1-1 session with Andy Coley and it was a different kind of experience for me, and really interesting. Using Zoom, I was grateful for Andy's IT skills because he was able to guide me so that I could open an online Goal Map and give him access to my computer screen.  By doing this we were able to create an online Goal Map and this this enabled me to experience a different approach while giving more practice in getting to the essence.  And that is the main difference in mind maps and goal mapping, for me.  Mind maps are brilliant for getting ideas and thoughts onto paper, but often I am overwhelmed because they get so big and sometimes messy. But I will carry on doing this because getting into flow and loosing yourself in the process can be creative and give ideas that you might not otherwise think of.  But when it comes to bringing all this together to create a plan or way forward, Goal Mapping is certainly a helpful tool.  It enables you to think of the WHY which is so important, and I'm really grateful for the opportunity to work with Andy.  

You can find out more about Goal Mapping on line, and a big thank you to Andy Coley who is my mentor and an inspiration.

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As always, I invite you to join in this 5in5 monthly challenge and I hope some of you will do that. Trying a new way of doing things can spark new ideas and add interest, so here's how it works: 

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a mobile timer for 5 minutes.

4.  Take as many photos you can until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool 

   

You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos and if you want to know more about 5in5 there are details here.

And one more thing - when you use the link tool, please click on your post title.  This will show the web address. Please right click, copy and paste this as your link.  This will take readers directly to your '5 in 5' blog page and be easier for them to find.

The keeper of Koi

Yesterday was bitter sweet. For 45 years we have had garden ponds and fish, and over this time both have grown bigger. And as much as we enjoy them, the keeper of the Kio decided it was time to say goodbye. The idea grew over a couple of years, when the fish outgrew the space and adding another pond only resulted in the fish quickly breeding. Not what we had planned.

Yes, we could have rehomed the bigger fish, but these are the ones we most enjoyed. Their stunning colours and way they came to the edge of the pond and ate out of our hand was all part of their appeal. Then there was the equipment. It's expensive to buy and some needed replacing. The pond itself also needed attention. The time had come....

Our first responsibility was making sure the fish were rehomed with care.  To buy Koi this size you would be looking at four figures but we wasn't worried about money. And so some smaller fish went to a friend and others are going to a care centre for adults with learning disabilities.  The problem was the Koi and some of the other big fish. Because of the need to quarantine there are restrictions, but my heart sang when I phoned a public garden and they were excited about the idea of homing them. They had a large deep natural pond that was not stocked, and there are plans to develop this area into a Japanese themed garden. The planting of maple trees has already started and introducing Koi into the pond was perfect.  It means that we can go and see the fish, and it is hugely comforting to know that they have the space they need and will be well cared for. In addition they will bring enjoyment to others who visit the Estate too. 

But first - catch your Koi!  This isn't as easy as it sounds and trying to catch the smaller fish had taught us new tactics were needed.  So this time we were better prepared. The keeper of the Koi first drained some of the water from the pond, and laid a large net across to reduce the area.

Then it was time to climb in.  

Luckily this worked better and we were as fast and gentle as possible catching the fish and getting them ready for transportation. We used large plastic bags designed for this purpose and floated the koi in the pond until we were ready to leave.

Each koi then fitted into a large Ikea bag which made it easier to carry them. It's a good thing I had a good supply of these and while they are multi functional around the home I never thought I'd be using them to carry koi!! 

After the drive to Marks Hall Estate, in Essex, we were shown the way to the pond using a private track.

I knew the pond from previous visits, it is secluded and a haven for dragon flies.

Then came the job of releasing the fish. Luckily Ian, one of the Estate team gave a hand.

We stayed to watch the fish settle and it was interesting to see how they behaved in this larger pond. We noticed they all formed groups, and these Koi followed each other in circles.

They also explored the edge of the pond, circumnavigating it several times.

As disappointing as it was to rehome the fish it was lovely to see them in this bigger natural space.  And we can visit when ever we choose. In fact there is a sculpture event planned in the coming weeks so it was already in my diary to go. 

Ian spoke about putting more water lilies into the pond.  The koi destroyed the ones in our pond but maybe these lilies will fare better with the extra space. Can you spot the dragon fly on this lily? I didn't realise it was there when I took the photo and we saw lots of different kinds while we were at the pond. Apparently a camera group often visit to photograph the dragon flies as they are especially attracted to this pond. I hope they will enjoy taking photos of the koi too.

This fallen tree trunk is cared into a dragon's head. It's somewhere to sit and it feels quite fitting in this Japanese themed garden.

So if you live in Essex or visit and go to Marks Hall Estate, do take time to wander over to the pond. You might see us there! 

A big thank you to Becky for her enthusiasm and help in arranging the rehoming.