Introducing the Good Life
What comes to mind when I ask, “What does a good life mean to you?” We all have different ideas about what a good life means to us. Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualize. Having tools available when we want to plan out our life can be helpful. Having a tool can help us organize our thoughts and might even help us consider ideas we wouldn’t have considered on our own. If you are struggling to think of what a good life looks like for you, it can also be helpful to start by considering what you don’t want. The good life should be a picture of your hopes, dreams, and anything that keeps you moving forward. Life is full of bumps in the road, but our good life (hopes, dreams) reminds us why we want to get back up and keep trying.
Eddie shares about his good life.
Kaaren shares about her good life.
ISP Planning and the Good Life
During the ISP planning process, one of the most important pieces is discovering the person’s vision of how they want to live and what may be needed to help them on their trajectory towards a good life. No matter what your role is in the ISP planning process, the heart of planning is figuring out what a person wants and doesn’t want in their life. One tool that can be helpful for visualizing and discussing this is the Life Trajectory from Charting the LifeCourse™. There are two tools available: a Trajectory for exploring and a Trajectory for planning. Both tools utilize a basic concept of considering what you want, and what you don’t want. Again, if you feel stuck, try starting with what you don’t want and build from there.
Tools for Exploring the Good Life
Both the trajectory for exploring and the trajectory for planning can be used in any way that works for you. The purpose is to discuss, think about, or write down what comes to mind when you think about what you want for your life. Likewise, the tool asks you to consider what you don’t want for your life. The tool is flexible, so start wherever makes sense to you.
Trajectory can be used for specific situations and topics. For instance, if you’re starting a new job- what do you want and what do you want to avoid at the new job? If you’re planning a vacation- what do you want and what do you want to avoid during your vacation? If your child is starting school? If you’re resolving a dispute at work?
Planning for a whole life can feel daunting. This can especially be true during times of crisis or when the future feels uncertain. This concept can be applied to specific topics and situations- we can even ask what we want and want to avoid for tomorrow. Often, this helps us broaden our focus and strengthen our planning skills!
Not just a tool, but an idea for everyone!
Trajectory is more than just a tool. Trajectory is an idea, a concept, and a way of thinking for everyone. Anyone, at any age, can use this idea to start visualizing and planning out what a good life means to them. Organizations can use this concept to envision what a team wants or doesn’t want for the next month, few months, or year and beyond. Teams can use this tool to consider what they like or don’t like, or what went well and what didn’t go well with a meeting, training, class, or event. The list goes on- it’s all about taking the time to consider and plan.
Trajectory reminds us that taking the time to prepare and reflect gives us all the opportunity to learn and grow. The best way to explore trajectory is to create one for yourself, your team, your family, or a loved one. Getting hands on practice with this concept is the best way to understand its usefulness. For those that are a part of an ISP planning team, I would especially encourage you to try this out at your next planning meeting. Let’s all work together to reach that good life!
About the Author
Lindsay joined the Arc Oregon team as an OTAC Trainer in August of 2022. She brings with her 7 years of experience working within the field of disabilities. Most of that time was spent working at a Foster Home providing direct care, and then as a Personal Agent at a Brokerage providing person centered case management. Lindsay is a Charting the LifeCourse Ambassador.