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Module 6Self DevelopmentLearner Workbook

Kindly reproduced from Foundations for Work project with permission from DiversityWorks (Project no – 2012-1-GB2-LEO05-08201)

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This project is co-financed by the European Commission.This publication is of exclusive author’s responsibility. The European Commission

is not responsible for the use of the information disseminated in it.

The content of this workbook, such as text, pictures and graphics, including corporate logos and brands, are protected by laws for the protection of

intellectual property. Distributing, changing or copying the contents of these pages is prohibited.

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At the end of this module you will:

Learning Outcomes Achieved Date

3.1 Recognise the significance of own

achievements and interests to own

development.

3.2 Recognise own strengths and

areas for further development.

3.3 Understand how a person’s

learning style influences career and

education choices.

3.4 Be able to set personal goals and

objectives.

3.5 Be able to make action plans to achieve personal goals.

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Introduction

Benefits of Self Development

If you are not happy with the way things are in your life right now, you should not stop yourself from wanting more. Everyone deserves something good in their lives and if you are struggling to achieve some kind of resolution for yourself, you can work on some self development strategies that will work to improve the quality of your life. If you are not satisfied with what you have achieved, you can ask for more. If you are not happy with the direction your life is following, you can try to employ the different self development strategies so you can enjoy these three benefits: self awareness, strength and transformation.

Becoming More Self Aware

People who do not know themselves well usually fail to achieve greatness because they do not know how to take advantage of things that they have. When you employ different self development strategies you can identify with your weaknesses and strengths and use your knowledge to make improvements. If you know yourself and know what is good for you, you can design a workable plan that will utilize your strengths efficiently. These things affect the decisions you will make in life. When you know who you are, you will be given full charge of your own life and determine your own reality.

Building Your Strength

Strength comes from experience. You will get the power you need to do things that you normally cannot if you take some time to learn it and practice. As children, we learn most of the things through practice. You can build your strengths in nearly anything by practising it. If you are confident about what you can do, you will begin to overcome your fears.

If you do not have enough experience about something, you get your strength from motivation. People are motivated by different things. Some people work to be better because they are concerned about their images. Some people aspire for more because they know they deserve more. Some people want better things because they love the challenge. Motivation is essential because it gives you power you probably thought you did not have before.

Strength can also come from passion. If you are passionate about your goals, you can succeed at fulfilling your dreams.

Planning a Transformation

People deserve second chances. You should not be content with what you have in your life now. If you want more and you think you deserve more, you should not be afraid to work towards it. If you think that you were meant for something else, you should not stop yourself from being more, doing more and wanting more. Self development can help you channel a better strategy that will enable you to achieve your goals

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3.1 What are two of your best achievements? Short Example

Achievement – Passing my driving test

How did you achieve it – I achieved my license through lots of practice, I also had to learn and complete the theory test before I could do the practical side

Achievement

How did you achieve it?

Achievement

How did you achieve it?

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What are two of your interests?

Short Example

Interest – Film Production

How do you follow this interest – I follow this interest through reading all the latest news on the subject and trying some of the techniques I have learnt.

Interest

How do you follow this interest?

Interest

How do you follow this interest?

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How have the achievements and interests you listed helped you develop and get where you are today?

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3.2 Personal Skills/Qualities Checklist

You may not realize it, but you have many valuable personal skills and qualities.

This assessment will help you identify your personal skills and qualities -- important things you use every day that you can apply to any job, anywhere, anytime.  

These are important to consider when you begin thinking about career options.  Will your personal skills/qualities be a good match for a particular career?  Or will they be better suited for one career more than another?

Place a check ( ) next to the ones you possess and demonstrate.

I possess these:   (check all that apply) Skills

I can....

Qualities

I am....Read signs and labels SensitiveFollow instructions PoliteGive directions PunctualWrite clearly PatientUse ICT ConfidentExplain ideas PracticalSpeak to new people HardworkingUse telephone HonestCount accurately EnergeticListen to others SociableWork alone OutgoingThink of new ideas ObservantFind information CarefulUse a calculator ResponsibleTake responsibility LogicalMake speeches CreativeTell the time EnthusiasticAsk for help Co-operativePlan how to do tasks DependableOrganise others GenuineWord process EnquiringAsk questions CautiousSolve problems CalmMake decisions AssertiveWork with others AccurateWork unsupervised CuriousGet on well with people ResilientGet up on time Strong

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Cope with emergencies FunnyLead a group MotivatedComplete tasks on time MusicalThink quickly ArtisticMend and fix things MechanicalHelp others PersuasiveWork safely OrganisedCo-operate with others TidyManage money AdaptableDesign and make things TolerantSpeak another language Considerate Give advice Ambitious

As you can see, you have many personal skills and qualities!  All the ones listed in this exercise are valuable and important in any work environment.

Did you check them all?  If not, did you come across some you would like to develop?  It's worth a try!

Now, let's summarize....

________________________________________

My Top 10

Which ten are your strongest? Which ten would you like to improve?

1. _____________________ 1.   _________________________

2.  _____________________ 2.   _________________________

3.  _____________________ 3.   _________________________

4.  _____________________ 4.   _________________________

5.  _____________________ 5.   _________________________

6.  _____________________ 6.   _________________________

7.  _____________________ 7.   _________________________

8.  _____________________ 8.   _________________________

9.  _____________________ 9.   _________________________

10.  ____________________ 10.   ________________________

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From your skills/qualities checklist, which ones will help you and why:

In A Work Setting

In A Training Setting

In Future Life

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What areas do you feel you need to improve in and what could you do to improve them?

Area for improvement What could you do to improve

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3.3 Learning Styles Self-Assessment Questionnaire

Circle or tick the answer that most represents how you generally behave.

1. When I operate new equipment I generally:a) read the instructions firstb) listen to an explanation from someone who has used it beforec) go ahead and have a go, I can figure it out as I use it

2. When I need directions for travelling I usually:a) look at a mapb) ask for spoken directionsc) follow my nose and maybe use a compass

3. When I cook a new dish, I like to:a) follow a written recipeb) call a friend for an explanationc) follow my instincts, testing as I cook

4. If I am teaching someone something new, I tend to:a) write instructions down for themb) give them a verbal explanationc) demonstrate first and then let them have a go

5. I tend to say:a) watch how I do itb) listen to me explainc) you have a go

6. During my free time I most enjoy:a) going to museums and galleriesb) listening to music and talking to my friendsc) playing sport or doing DIY

7. When I go shopping for clothes, I tend to:a) imagine what they would look like onb) discuss them with the shop staffc) try them on and test them out

8. When I am choosing a holiday I usually:a) read lots of brochuresb) listen to recommendations from friendsc) imagine what it would be like to be there

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9. If I was buying a new car, I would:a) read reviews in newspapers and magazinesb) discuss what I need with my friendsc) test-drive lots of different types

10. When I am learning a new skill, I am most comfortable:a) watching what the teacher is doingb) talking through with the teacher exactly what I’m supposed to doc) giving it a try myself and work it out as I go

11. If I am choosing food off a menu, I tend to:a) imagine what the food will look likeb) talk through the options in my head or with my partnerc) imagine what the food will taste like

12. When I listen to a band, I can’t help:a) watching the band members and other people in the audienceb) listening to the lyrics and the beatsc) moving in time with the music

13. When I concentrate, I most often:a) focus on the words or the pictures in front of meb) discuss the problem and the possible solutions in my headc) move around a lot, fiddle with pens and pencils and touch things

14. I choose household furnishings because I like:a) their colours and how they lookb) the descriptions the sales-people give mec) their textures and what it feels like to touch them

15. My first memory is of:a) looking at somethingb) being spoken toc) doing something

16. When I am anxious, I:a) visualise the worst-case scenariosb) talk over in my head what worries me mostc) can’t sit still, fiddle and move around constantly

17. I feel especially connected to other people because of:a) how they lookb) what they say to mec) how they make me feel

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18. When I have to revise for an exam, I generally:a) write lots of revision notes and diagramsb) talk over my notes, alone or with other peoplec) imagine making the movement or creating the formula

19. If I am explaining to someone I tend to:a) show them what I meanb) explain to them in different ways until they understandc) encourage them to try and talk them through my idea as they do it

20. I really love:a) watching films, photography, looking at art or people watchingb) listening to music, the radio or talking to friendsc) taking part in sporting activities, eating fine foods and wines or dancing

21. Most of my free time is spent:a) watching televisionb) talking to friendsc) doing physical activity or making things

22. When I first contact a new person, I usually:a) arrange a face to face meetingb) talk to them on the telephonec) try to get together whilst doing something else, such as an activity or a meal

23. I first notice how people:a) look and dressb) sound and speakc) stand and move

24. If I am angry, I tend to:a) keep replaying in my mind what it is that has upset meb) raise my voice and tell people how I feelc) stamp about, slam doors and physically demonstrate my anger

25. I find it easiest to remember:a) facesb) namesc) things I have done

26. I think that you can tell if someone is lying if:a) they avoid looking at youb) their voices changesc) they give me funny vibes

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27. When I meet an old friend:a) I say “it’s great to see you!”b) I say “it’s great to hear from you!”c) I give them a hug or a handshake

28. I remember things best by:a) writing notes or keeping printed detailsb) saying them aloud or repeating words and key points in my headc) doing and practising the activity or imagining it being done

29. If I have to complain about faulty goods, I am most comfortable:a) writing a letterb) complaining over the phonec) taking the item back to the store or posting it to head office

30. I tend to say:a) I see what you meanb) I hear what you are sayingc) I know how you feel

Now add up how many A’s, B’s and C’s you selected.

A’s = B’s = C’s =

If you chose mostly A’s you have a VISUAL learning style.

If you chose mostly B’s you have an AUDITORY learning style.

If you chose mostly C’s you have a KINAESTHETIC learning style.

Some people find that their learning style may be a blend of two or three styles, in this case read about the styles that apply to you in the explanation below.

When you have identified your learning style(s), read the learning styles explanations and consider how this might help you to identify learning and development that best meets your preference(s).

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VAK Learning Styles Explanation

The VAK learning styles model suggests that most people can be divided into one of three preferred styles of learning. These three styles are as follows, (and there is no right or wrong learning style):

Someone with a Visual learning style has a preference for seen or observed things, including pictures, diagrams, demonstrations, displays, handouts, films, flip-chart, etc. These people will use phrases such as ‘show me’, ‘let’s have a look at that’ and will be best able to perform a new task after reading the instructions or watching someone else do it first. These are the people who will work from lists and written directions and instructions.

Someone with an Auditory learning style has a preference for the transfer of information through listening: to the spoken word, of self or others, of sounds and noises. These people will use phrases such as ‘tell me’, ‘let’s talk it over’ and will be best able to perform a new task after listening to instructions from an expert. These are the people who are happy being given spoken instructions over the telephone, and can remember all the words to songs that they hear!

Someone with a Kinaesthetic learning style has a preference for physical experience - touching, feeling, holding, doing, practical hands-on experiences. These people will use phrases such as ‘let me try’, ‘how do you feel?’ and will be best able to perform a new task by going ahead and trying it out, learning as they go. These are the people who like to experiment, hands-on, and never look at the instructions first!

People commonly have a main preferred learning style, but this will be part of a blend of all three. Some people have a very strong preference; other people have a more even mixture of two or less commonly, three styles.

When you know your preferred learning style(s) you understand the type of learning that best suits you. This enables you to choose the types of learning that work best for you.

There is no right or wrong learning style. The point is that there are types of learning that are right for your own preferred learning style.

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What are the characteristics of your learning style and how might this influence your career choices?

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3.4 Action plans and personal goals

Following are components of an effective goal – one that describes performance standards that will “tell us what good behaviour looks like.” The SMART acronym can help us remember these components.

Specific The goal should identify a specific action or event that will take

place.

Measurable The goal and its benefits should be quantifiable.

Achievable The goal should be attainable given available resources.

Realistic The goal should require you to stretch some, but allow the likelihood

of success.

Timely The goal should state the time period in which it will be

accomplished.

Here are some tips that can help you set effective goals:

1. Develop several goals. A list of five to seven items gives you several things to work on over a period of time.

2. State goals as declarations of intention, not items on a wish list. "I want to apply to three schools" lacks power. "I will apply to three schools," is intentional and powerful.

3. Attach a date to each goal. State what you intend to accomplish and by when. A good list should include some short-term and some long-term goals. You may want a few goals for the year, and some for two- or three-month intervals.

4. Be specific. "To find a job" is too general; "to find and research five job openings before the end of the month" is better. Sometimes a more general goal can become the long-term aim, and you can identify some more specific goals to take you there.

5. Share your goals with someone who cares if you reach them. Sharing your intentions with your parents, your best friend, or your teacher will help ensure success.

6. Write down your goals and put them where you will see them. The more often you read your list, the more results you get.

7. Review and revise your list. Experiment with different ways of stating your goals.

Goal setting improves with practice, so play around with it.

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My major job objective or career goal:

The following intermediate goals are focused on the next _____ months:

Education/Training goals: Action steps:

Occupational goals: Action steps:

Personal health/wellness goals: Action steps:

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3.5 SMART Goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely

Now select in detail ONE specific goal that you are planning to achieve.

Goal Statement:

What do I need to do to reach this goal?

Where am I now?

Why is this goal relevant to where I am now?

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Obstacles: Solutions:

My goal steps: