1. (c) Alex Paterson & Assoc 2006 LIFE is like a game of POKER Lets use Texas “Hold’em” Poker as a metaphor! Life deals you 7 Cards Use the best 5 to achieve success! A FUN tool for thinking about your FUTURE!

2. (c) Alex Paterson & Assoc 2006 YOUR PERSONAL CARDS YOUR “HIDDEN” CARDS 1.YOUR GENES Mom and Dad - together make you a unique biological being You only uncover the hidden reality of your genes during your life. 2. YOUR SITUATION Where you were born When you were born (your generation) Your effective parents (they brought you up) Your birth order No of siblings

3. (c) Alex Paterson & Assoc 2006 HOW YOU DEVELOPED “THE FLOP” YOUR EDUCATION Your MEMES Your PARENTS Your SCHOOLING Your ROLE MODELS Your EXPERIENCES Your PEERS YOUR PERSONALITY INHERITED and ACQUIRED BEHAVIOURS MEANING STRUCTURE INTROVERSION vs EXTROVERSION LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCES YOUR TALENTS NATURAL ABILITY LEARNED ABILITY SPECIAL ABILITY UNIQUE ABILITY

4. (c) Alex Paterson & Assoc 2006 What is a Meme? Meme – a self-replicating element of culture that is passed on by imitation. e.g. Playing marbles, yoyos, circumcision, ban on eating pork, Memes can be longitudinal or horizontal Memes can combine into Memeplexes

5. (c) Alex Paterson & Assoc 2006 WHAT IS A LIFESTAGE? Hatch, Grow, Adolesce, Match, Reproduce, Retire, Expire. Pulling up roots, Trying 20’s, Catch 30, Rooting and Extending, Deadline decade, Renewal or resignation. Early, Mid, Late Life Crises Reference “Passages” Gail Sheehy

6. (c) Alex Paterson & Assoc 2006 WHAT IS A MEANING STRUCTURE? coherent psychological constructIt is a coherent psychological construct developed by each individual over their life time encompassing personality, values, and beliefs that enables the individual self to engage with the outside world while reconciling their internal meaning and external reality. It is who I am! (I built myself on the foundations of my genes and my perception and interpretation of my life experiences)

7. (c) Alex Paterson & Assoc 2006 What is my Generation? Generation- Whole body of persons born about the same time. Generation Cycle- Successive 20 year groups spanning roughly 80 years: Idealist, Reactive,Civic and Adaptive characteristics. GI’s 1900 – 1929 Ref “Mind the Gap” Silents 1930 – 1949 Codrington & Grant-Marshall Boomers 1950 – 1969 Xers 1970 – 1989 Cusp = “In between” Millenials 1990 - 2009

8. (c) Alex Paterson & Assoc 2006 ACHIEVEMENT POTENTIAL “ TURN” YOUR OPPORTUNITIES INTO SUCCESS OPPORTUNITIES /CHALLENGES LUCK PREPARATION COMPANIONS/NETWORK FAILURES/SETBACKS LIFESTAGE TIMING “Luck is when opportunity meets preparation”.

9. (c) Alex Paterson & Assoc 2006 MAKING A SUCCESS OF LIFE SWIMMING “THE RIVER” YOUR MOTIVATION DESIRES/WANTS NEEDS FEARS GOALS ENERGY/DRIVE HEALTH PERCEPTION/INSIGHT UNDERSTANDING

10. (c) Alex Paterson & Assoc 2006 TO PLAY – CHOOSE 5 CARDS In life you get dealt two pocket or hidden cards (Genes and Situation) plus “the Flop” 3 cards you don’t really begin to“read” until you’re 20 or older. Your last two cards (The Turn and River) are in play before age 5 and their use, timing or interaction can change your life. Play your best hand and find out who you are and what you want out of life NOW and WIN the SUCCESS jackpot in life’s journey!