Becoming A Life Archeologist

Our lives are a montage of events. A flurry of activity. Running here and running there. Details. Details. A blur. Lots of movement, but how much accomplishment? Of all the activity we engage in, how much of our energy do we direct toward fulfilling our central mission in life? How much of our lives is fluff and noise? How do we cut through all this noise to find direction? One way is to become a life archeologist.

Archeologists sift through rubble and undergrowth to find treasures from the past. With careful attention to detail, they dig through debris and construct meaningful patterns and bring order to artifacts and material. Using the tools of their trade, they dig up objects of great beauty and historical value. Shovels, hand trowels, toothbrushes, and sifting boxes all are used to retrieve ancient artifacts.

In our lives we can also become life archeologists. Digging through ourselves to find treasures buried deep inside. In my coaching practice, I employ a technique called ¡°coactive coaching.¡± This coaching method assumes that clients already know how to better their lives, but the noise and flurry of everyday existence makes it difficult for them to see the way. So, I too become a kind of archeologist, helping people dig through themselves to find their true direction in life.

Like a field archeologist, a life archeologist has several tools. One powerful tool is journaling. Journaling is a way to dig out thoughts and place them on paper. The act of journaling causes deeper reflection on issues. Putting thoughts on paper allows us to see patterns that would otherwise not be apparent. Journaling is a time for focused thought. A way to really be able to dig deep in areas that otherwise are only probed lightly. Consider journaling thoughts every day.

Another life archeologist tool is questions. Questions are a wonderful cutting tool. They cut through issues and problems quickly. For example: Let¡¯s say, I want to begin an exercise program. A fine goal, but not thoroughly carved out and polished. Let¡¯s use questions to do this. Question: OK, So what will this exercise program do for you. Answer: Improve my health. Question: How much would you need to exercise to improve your health? Answer: 4 times a week. Question: What would these exercise programs consist of? Answer: 30 minutes of aerobics and 20 minutes of strength training.

I know that asking questions seem to be a trivial thing, but it is so powerful. I see it time and time again in my coaching practice. Clients have very broad desires that haven¡¯t been cut into appropriate size chunks. The large chunks are many times too large to bite off and chew, so nothing is eaten. Chunking down goals through questions is an extremely important activity. Ask: why? Ask: how much? Ask: by when? Ask: when exactly? Ask: why not? Ask yourself questions in your journal. Create morning power questions, such as: What am I happy about today? What am I excited about today? What am I proud of today? Use the power of questions to focus your energy like light can be focused into a powerful laser beam.

Becoming a life archeologist means searching yourself for the things that matter to you. What gives you the deepest sense of satisfaction? What makes you happy? What are your goals for the next month; the next year; the next five years; for the rest of your life? Why are you here? Why does your life matter? Digging up these core issues takes work, but the beautiful treasures unearthed more than make up for the effort involved.