What's Next? The Path of Self-Renewal

with Mark Nicolson
Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
May 1, 2005

Transitions and change happen many times over the course of our lives, but we rarely allow ourselves the time to stop, reflect, and focus on what is changing and what we want to do about it. In this workshop, we will learn how we can better identify the values and choices that are important to us. With the conviction that life is not a mountain with a summit but an endless unfolding landscape of change, we will first review the stages of adult development and the issues we face during key life transitions. Then we will introduce tools for discovering the emerging values and vision for the next phase of our lives.

While the path of self-reinvention is not clearly laid before us, we do already possess the talent, life experience, and passion necessary for the journey. Participants will identify their strengths and resources (re-evaluation), and discover the steps to launch a new path (renewal). There will be one-on-one interactions and group discussions that will help to deepen understanding of our current lives and emerging choices. Participants will begin the all-important planning process to integrate this new understanding with life and career goals.

Mark Nicolson is a facilitator in the Academy’s personal leadership trainings and heads the Ventana Project. He is a leadership consultant and coach. He teaches at Stanford Continuing Studies and Esalen Institute, is a Visionquest guide, and leads vision-making trainings and workshops. He holds an MA from Oxford and an MBA from Stanford.