LOOP Ten Steps

The Ten LOOP Steps

Over the course of the two-day  workshop, you  will work in  home groups and/or with partners to complete each of the ten steps, as follows:

Step 0: Introductions, Expectations, and Confidentiality: 
Before you begin sharing your ideas, you will share expectations and sign a contract for confidentiality.

Step 1: Appreciating Achievements: 
The first step will show your accomplishments-what you have achieved/done/completed  over the last few years

Step 2: Picturing the Situation:
During the next step, you will generate a "perspective on your situation"  by drawing two pictures:  (1) describing the future for which you are planning -your vision; then (2) describe your present situation.  Your plan will involve the steps to be taken to move from the "now " picture to the "future" picture.

Step 3: Facing Facts and Problems:   
This step which "gets to the bottom of things"  proceeds directly from Step 2, Picturing the Situation.  You identify and write problem statements, obstacles and issues on post-it notes.  This step is the foundation of your "plan". 

Step 4: Developing Objectives:  
During this step you transform each negative problem statement written (in Step 3) into a positive statement of an objective, using another card.  Then you organize your cards into categories of your choice.

Step 5: Making Choices:   
Now you take the "positive" cards  and clarify, rewrite and use them to create an objective tree. You apply an "if/then" logic to create "root systems" under various categories which you determine are important aspects of your life.  Then you do a reality check.  "Can I do anything about it?" and "Do I want to do it?" and
"Do I have the authority to do it?"

Step 6: Sequencing Activities: 
Step Six involves setting priorities, coming up with activities anticipating obstacles/opportunities, and doing a short-term, basic time line.   

Step 7: Identifying Partners:   
This step involves creating a Partnership Network Matrix of those people/organizations to be part of your strategy.  It is key to examining your own network of support (and obstruction) available for proceeding with your plan. 

Step 8: Charting a Personal Plan :    
The CPP is a synthesis of all the work you have done so far.  It is the Logical Framework (Log Frame).  Its four columns incorporate outputs from previous steps.  They are: (1) The Summary-Goal, Purpose and Objectives; (2) Milestones and Deadlines; (3) Tangible Proof; and (4) Important Assumptions.   

Step 9: Putting First Things First: 
The First Things First TODO list is completed by you and one other in your group in just a few minutes.   It is a list of ten activities that each thinks the other should do first. 

Step 10: Staying in the LOOP:  
This last step involves evaluating the LOOP experience, sharing contact information, deciding when to meet again, and deciding whether to do 
LOOP Workshop #2--LEAP--Facing your Financial Future
 the LOOP Plan of Operations, the budget of your dreams.