Opening Activities Letters to Self & Mind Mapping

Write a letter to your future self What: Write a letter to your future self, which will be returned to you near the end of your service year. Purpose: To provide a record of your life and who you are now To anchor in time your current views, attitudes, philosophy/outlook To explore your feelings and opinions about a variety of issues To create a tool for future reflection Writing prompts: Me, now: your current hopes, fears, dream, intentions, goals, problems, likes/dislikes, who you are – write like it’s a journal entry, what’s happening now and your initial thoughts about service and your site and community Send your future self some words of inspiration Share your thoughts on where you’ll be or what you’ll be up to, what you may have learned or what you hope to have accomplished (professionally or personally) in a year from now Steps: 1.Write your letter 2.Seal and address your envelope (an address you will still have by the end of your VISTA year) 3.Once finished, give it to your VISTA Leader to collect.

Pros of Mind Mapping Release creativity Organic No hierarchies of ideas Organize thoughts Link ideas Start a new project Visual Mind mapping was founded by Tony Duzan

Bee Skills

The five essential characteristics: 1.The main idea, subject or focus is in the center. 2.The main themes radiate from the central image as 'branches‘. 3.The branches comprise a key image or key word drawn or printed on its associated line. 4.Topics of lesser importance are represented as 'twigs' of the relevant branch. 5.The branches form a connected nodal structure.

The Path

Let’s Get Started!  Start in center with image or word  “My VISTA Year”, “ ”, “Personal Plans”  Work your way out  Use images, symbols, codes, or key words Think about… Your year Your path Your dreams Your goals Your challenges