Herman Grobler
8 December 2024
Workshop Objectives
The workshop objectives were:
- To firstly look at what self-actualization was and how attendees viewed it. A short theoretical background was given, but the main purpose was to look at practical applications.
- Following the discussion on self-actualization, an explanation was given on how self-actualization is connected to our core beliefs, values, assumptions, and rules about ourselves and others.
- A final objective was to identify our core beliefs and realize how they can cause limiting beliefs that prevent us from goal achievement and self-actualization.
Workshop
The workshop on self-actualization focused on how to make growth choices, rather than choices out of fear and also progressive choices, rather than regressive choices. We have to make such choices in our ongoing process of self-actualization. The workshop created an awareness that led to the realization that self-actualization means that we choose to be honest rather than dishonest when in doubt. We trust our own judgment, even if it means being different or unpopular. Furthermore, it refers to our effort to improve ourselves, working regularly toward self-development, no matter how demanding. Self-actualization is aspiring to be what we really love about ourselves, to be comfortable with it, and in the process relate to the people and environment surrounding us. It is much more than a focus on ourselves, but transcends towards being part of a bigger world.
The workshop challenged attendees to look deeper within the self and to realize that, in order to self-actualize, we need to become aware of our core beliefs, which, at times, can be limiting or irrational. These beliefs determine our world view, how we look at ourselves, others, and the broader world around us. In turn, our core beliefs influence the way we behave, by making rules about what we or others should or should not do, or making certain limited assumptions about ourselves and others.
In the workshop we learned how to identify these core believes and how they connect to our rules and assumptions, and then eventually lead to our behaviour, which could limit us from achieving our goals and self-actualization. We practiced how to redefine limiting beliefs by applying simple techniques, e.g. ‘peeling the onion’ where you go deeper end deeper into the specific behaviour and what it says about you. To summarize, the workshop allowed attendees to become aware of their core beliefs and how these beliefs determine their behaviour. It was emphasized that we are in control and that we can identify those beliefs that prohibit us from growth, and work toward self-actualization.