Achievement Tree
Photo: Andrew Shelley @ Unsplash
When we choose to commit to something new - to PLANT our ideas in the ground - it looks like we start with something small - a seed, an acorn, a bulb. But in fact, contained in that acorn is all the information that will allow a mighty oak to grow - and demonstrates a wiring for potential.
We are all wired with potential to grow, to learn, to become strong and rooted (if thats what we want). And at a point of change, or starting something new, all of you too will be bringing your skills, your strengths, your experience - and your achievements to date - to help shape what happens next.
Busy mothers sometimes need reminding of their daily small wins: mothering is hard graft, overlooked and undervalued. In addition, we can often forget former lives and past chapters, when we have really excelled, committed, or just made progress on something important to us.
An achievement doesn’t need to be big and flashy - it can appear mundane and everyday. But if it feels like a win of some kind to you - then it’s an achievement worth celebrating.
An Achievement Tree activity - time to get creative!
The invitation here is to create something that you will put up as a visible reminder of your achievements: something that you can refer to frequently, take note of, and add to over time.
Why do this?
The image reminds us that we have achieved things in our past, we continue to achieve in our present, and that we have the power and means to achieve in our future. If you are attempting to PLANT new habits of any kind, or create change in some way, taking note of our achievements so far can instil a confidence what we have resources available to achieve in the future. It also helps us connect our values and strengths to what we have achieved so far: we hold the potential to achieve again, however small that seed of an idea might be.
How to do this?
The exercise uses the metaphor of a tree: Roots represent your foundational values and strengths. Trunk & branches are the major paths in your life. Leaves show your key achievements so far.
1. On a large sheet of paper, or in the space opposite, draw your tree and label each
leaf with an achievement or success, big or small, from all areas of your life, going back as far as you can remember.
2. Ask your trusted loved ones what they see as some of your achievements and successes.
3. When you think about ‘Achievement’ – think really broadly and inclusively. Add things both apparently significant and insignificant.
4. If you want to, you can label the roots with your strengths (we will be exploring this more in the next session), and the branches with the different areas of your life that your achievement leaves hang from.
5. Your achievements show you have choice and agency and have made things happen.
6. Continue to add to this piece, to provide you with an on-going reminder of your successes
7. Make it public and encourage your family to contribute. Invite your children to make their own achievement tree: this gives a powerful message about being proud of achievements and who we are.
Tip: Continue to add to this piece, to provide you with an on-going reminder of your successes. Make it public and encourage your family to contribute. Invite your children to make their own achievement tree: this gives a powerful message about being proud of achievements and how they shape our ideas of who we are.