Many colleagues at the University of Illinois contributed to this work, either directly or indirectly. Leslie Srajek contributed to the Life Metaphor Exercise. Pat Sherod and her staff at the Center for Training and Professional Development helped to edit the manuscript and create the Joyful Professor Workshop. The author also thanks her terrific advisors and mentors, especially Vern Snoeyink, Al Valocchi, David Daniel, and Bob Dodds, as well as her immensely talented and hard working students who have been such a joy to work with.

And last, but definitely not least, the author thanks her family. Her parents, Thomas and Aletha Spang, always encouraged her to follow her dreams and to appreciate the joy of learning and discovery. Her husband, Brian Minsker, and children, Andrew and Patrick Minsker, have brought fun to every day and have given such tremendous love and support, even in the face of excessive “AMPing,” or being an Absent-Minded Professor.

—Barbara Minsker, Ph.D.

Table of Contents

Preface

Creating a Supportive Listening Space

CHAPTER 1—Setting Goals That Meet Your Needs

Step 1: Identify Your Top Soulful Values

Figure 1. Common Soulful Values

Soulful Values Exercise

Step 2: List Specific, Measurable, Attainable,

Realistic, and Timely (S.M.A.R.T.) Goals

Other Tips For Creating Goals

Limit The Number Of Goals

Life Metaphor Exercise