I was recently challenged to consider who I am and where I am, and was presented with an exercise which was quite revealing in a number of ways.

The exercise simply started with drawing a ladder – and a long ladder a that. I was asked to consider where I'd place myself on that ladder compared to other people, which generated a number of questions in my mind.

Who?

Firstly, who should I compare myself to to be able to judge my position? Should I consider my friends, people that I work with and anyone else I know? Or could I even compare myself to publically known figures such as Will Smith, Madonna or Ussain Bolt for example?

How?

Then I began to wonder how to gauge where am I compared to other people. Does one draw a single ladder based upon financial status and emotional status combined or would your 'position' be different for each factor, meaning a separate ladder for each element? I decided on the latter of these approaches and ladder drawing commenced.

How would you do this?

Starting at the very bottom of a 'financial' ladder, I started considering accommodation, employment status, income and started listing attributes from the bottom up including 'homeless & unemployed', 'in rented accommodation', 'small home-owner' and so on until the status at the top, which for me was a mortgage-free Company Director/Owner with a vast country estate.... wouldn't that be lovely? A warm and welcoming home where friends and family would always be welcome. Richard Branson somehow sprang to mind for some reason, even though I can't knowingly discuss where he lives or whether his home is open and welcoming – but let's continue!

Then I started thinking about where I'd place some of my friends on this same ladder. Some were slightly above me, some around the same level, some lower but no-one was at either of the extreme ends of the ladder I had drawn and I was delighted by this because there was no need for emotional involvement or concern about friends who might need support in one way or another due to dire circumstances.

This led to the further realization that I would open my arms to a friend in need in any way possible and I have a lot to be grateful for to be able to do that. But I decided to concentrate and return to the matter at hand – where do I stand on the ladder of life?

So, I drew another ladder to represent emotional happiness and judged this based upon 'relationship status' and general happiness. Again, considering attributes from the bottom I began with 'single, alone and unhappy', to the top where a couple stood who were completely in love, totally committed to each other, at one with the world and at peace internally.

Having completed two ladders, what to do next? That's two ladders not one! My thought processed suggested counting the total number of steps on each ladder and working out where I was in relation to the total – simple!

The next stage of the exercise, however, was to consider who's below, at the same level and above (on one ladder). How do I feel about them? Am I content where I am, or do I want to move up or down the ladder?

These questions prompted further ideas, as open questions often do. If I'm not happy where I am on the ladder I have created, what do I need to do to be able to change my position on it? How will that make me happier and why? When can I start making any changes i.e. should I start now, or wait until tomorrow?

I proceeded until I had answers to each of my questions – but my questions are likely to be different to your own. So please go ahead and try this 'Ladder' exercise yourself. I'd love to hear how you get along in the comments below :-)

(Your feedback could become the subject of future blogs...)