Balance and Personal Development Objectives At the completion of this module, participants will be able to:  Develop a daily practice to center themselves.  Explore the concept of a personal mission.  Recognize options for personal development.

Balance and Personal Development Definitions Daily practice- the planned opportunity of quiet, alone time each day to renew and to center oneself for increased strength and focus. Whole person- someone who can fully and freely express herself and relate to others as whole people. Mission- a statement of purpose for one’s life. It is an expression of all priorities and important aspects of one’s ideal life. Roles- the parts a person plays in our relationships and in activities such as parent, teacher, employee, colleague, mentor, runner, gardener, etc.

Balance and Personal Development Personal Check-In: A Look in the Mirror Take a few minutes to consider the following statements. Mark each one with a yes or no. Work _____ When I introduce myself, I am proud to say what I do. _____ When I take vacations, it is hard to relax. _____ Work is my top priority. _____ I feel like my real self at work.

Balance and Personal Development Personal Check-In: A Look in the Mirror Take a few minutes to consider the following statements. Mark each one with a yes or no. Family _____ I feel my own needs are selfish. _____ My schedule is filled with family obligations. _____ I don’t have enough time for my own interests. _____ I worry about my family.

Balance and Personal Development Personal Check-In: A Look in the Mirror Take a few minutes to consider the following statements. Mark each one with a yes or no. Partner _____ I am afraid to be honest with my partner. _____ I do things I don’t like in order to please my partner. _____ I react to my partner’s ups and downs.

Balance and Personal Development Icebreaker: A Whole Person What makes up a whole person? For example, we know thinking is part of being a person. What else is?

Balance and Personal Development Know Yourself Mission You can begin to write a mission statement for yourself by considering the following questions: What is most important in my life? What do I want to be in my life? What will I need to do to be that? How do I want to be remembered by my family?

Balance and Personal Development Know Yourself Mission You can begin to write a mission statement for yourself by considering the following questions: How do I want to be remembered by my colleagues? How do I want to be remembered by my friends? Draft a few sentences which describe your mission or the purpose of your life. Read over it in three days, one week, and two weeks; and revise it.

Balance and Personal Development Know Yourself Roles Consider the different aspects of your life. List the roles you play. Which roles are most important to you? What is one goal you have for each of these most important roles?

Balance and Personal Development Daily Practice Consider how you spent your time over the last week. How much time did you spend in the following activities each day? SleepingSharing with friends or family ExercisingWatching TV Doing meaningful workServing others (community service) Focusing on spiritual growthOther Renewing yourself (recreation) What would be the impact of devoting minutes to your well-being each day?

Balance and Personal Development Exercising Walking or running Time alone Silence Journal writing Yoga Prayer or meditation Reading or studying wisdom or inspirational literature Focusing on spiritual growth Renewing yourself (recreation) Listening to music which lifts you Drawing, painting, or weaving Daily Practice Your daily practice can include one or several activities such as the following:

Balance and Personal Development Reality Practice: Case Study  What differences do you see in how Trina and Monica arrange their lives?  What is important to Trina?  What is important to Monica?  What could Monica do to create more balance and joy in her life?  What could you do to improve the balance in your life?

Balance and Personal Development Develop Yourself Here are some key actions to take to ensure that your life is balanced and full of growth.  Set aside time to reflect on your life, dreams, and goals.  Determine your areas of strength.  Identify what you enjoy doing.  Set some short-term (one day, one week, one month) and long-term (2+ years) goals.  Schedule time to plan your week and include steps to accomplish your goals.

Balance and Personal Development Develop Yourself Here are some key actions to take to ensure that your life is balanced and full of growth.  Check the fit of your skills and work to the lifestyle you want.  Share or communicate your goals with others you trust.  Indicate your long-term professional goals to your manager or director and seek assistance in achieving them.  Take responsibility for your own path, choices, and actions for personal growth.  Commit yourself to life-long learning and development.

Balance and Personal Development Checking Out: Daily Practice 1. If you were to establish a daily practice, what activities could you include? 2. What time of day would be good for your daily practice? Morning, midday, or night? What hour? 3. Where would you do your daily practice? Inside or outside? Bedroom, living room, deck, or porch? Favorite chair? 4. What materials, books, music, etc. would you gather around you? 5. If you chose to begin a 30-minute daily practice tomorrow, what would you include?

Balance and Personal Development Checking Out: Daily Practice My daily practice will be at ________ o’clock each day. I will spend this time doing ________________, _________________, and ___________________ for at least 30 minutes to center myself and to focus on my needs and energies. ____________________________ Signature Mission Rewrite the next draft of your mission statement here:

Balance and Personal Development Checking Out: Develop Yourself Once you begin to focus on your mission and to develop a daily practice, you may choose to live your life around what is important. Use the following questions to prompt your own development.  When will you spend focused, alone time on your life, dreams, and goals?  What are your strengths?  What do you enjoy doing?  Given your missions, strengths, and areas of enjoyment, what long-range goals do you have?

Balance and Personal Development Checking Out: Develop Yourself  What short-term goals do you have?  When during the week could you plan your week’s activities so that you are working on what is important?  With whom would you like to share your responses to these questions?  What do you need to share with your manager in order to have support in achieving your professional goals?  Are you committed to being a life-long learner?