So what is a treasure map?  It is using the mind mapping technique, see Exhibit 1, combined with pictures of the outcomes you are seeking.  On an A3 page you set out all the areas in your life where you want to score goals, state the goals, and stick pictures to help you visualize the outcomes you seek.  The more pictures the better, pictures from magazines and journals are an excellent source, e.g. If you want to be fitter, then a picture of a person similar to you with the body shape you aspire to, if you want to practice yoga daily then a picture of a person, like you, doing yoga etc.

My first treasure map had a picture of a particular bike a BMW 100RS, a reasonably rare bike.  Two years later I owned the exact replica of the bike in the photo, even the same paint combination.  Read any self help book and ask any achiever, and they will tell you that visualization is the key.

The more you picture the precise goals you want to achieve the more you will achieve.  In his book ‘To the top’ Sir Edmund Hillary comments that he had visualized summiting Everest in this own mind many times.  The Great Jack Nicklaus, comments that he always visualizes the precise flight of the ball before he commenced his swing.  His vision is of a ball travelling over the out of bounds fence and drifting back on to the fairway having cut across the dogleg.  Light years from our vision.  The outward bounds fence!  It is no wonder we keep scoring two over on that hole.

A useful technique is to pick a special day each year to update and revise your treasure map e.g.  A public holiday, birthday, etc.  Initially you may want to change and amend your treasure map two or three times in the first year, in subsequent years you may find that an annual update is sufficient.

The Treasure map needs to be stuck on a door, a wall, where you can see it each day. It is important to note that this Treasure Map is yours and thus it is put in a private place for your eyes only. In a previous house I used to have mine on the back of my wardrobe door.  Whilst you will want to have things on it that your partner agrees with it is not meant to be a treasure Map for two, as this typically will delay the implementation.

Exhibit 1 A Treasure Map

Example of A Treasure Map

(Click image to zoom in)

Treasure mapping is so important I am giving you here an extract from an article I am writing on the topic. I hope this gives you some ideas of how do you yours this week see Exhibit 2 for a Treasure Mapping checklist.

Exhibit 2 Treasure Mapping checklist

Treasure Mapping checklist
have you included a section on your partner? o Yes   o No
have you included a section on family and friends? o Yes   o No
have you included a section on living environment? (your house, the area where you want to live etc.) o Yes   o No
have you included a section on hobbies and interests? o Yes   o No
have you included a section on personal development? (in its wider context including spiritual) o Yes   o No
have you included a section on health and wellbeing? o Yes   o No
have you included a section on career? o Yes   o No
have you included a section on pension planning? o Yes   o No
does each section have clearly stated goals which are quantified? E.g. go away for six romantic weekends a year or play tennis with Pat twice a month o Yes   o No
does it fit on one page? o Yes   o No
have you stuck the map somewhere where you can see it each day? o Yes   o No
 MORE

For a chapter from David’s management and leadership book,  visit  this chapter.  David’s latest work in this area is available from his toolkit area.https://management.davidparmenter.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/06/Chapter-2-Find-Out-about-Yourself-.pdf