Lesson 2: Power of Personal Beliefs Workin’ It Out Workplace Soft Skills Program for Non-Traditional Job Seekers 2015 Lesson 2: Power of Personal Beliefs www.WorkinItOut.com © 2015 by Steve Parese, Ed.D. 2/15/2019

What do YOU think this saying might mean? Pearl of Wisdom "Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% what you make of it." What do YOU think this saying might mean? 2/15/2019

Today’s Lesson 1. Read a new story about Brenda Today we’ll be talking about the power of our values and beliefs. Our beliefs help us know what is right and wrong. Sometimes, however, these same beliefs can justify behaviors which lead to problems. 1. Read a new story about Brenda 2. Explore our personal values and beliefs and how they drive our choices 3. Close with a Review & MiniQuiz 2/15/2019

Questions after reading: Brenda’s Story 2 Let’s read along on WB p 10. “Brenda sat on the bus…” Questions after reading: How did Brenda set herself up for this problem before she even got to work? Mr. Carr shouldn't have handled Brenda the way he did... but does his behavior justify hers? 2/15/2019

Values, Beliefs & Impulses Many problems start because of differences in values or beliefs. VALUES are the things we think are most important in life. BELIEFS are what we think is true, even without proof. IMPULSES are what we feel like doing because of our values or beliefs. 2/15/2019

Brenda’s Values, Beliefs & Impulses In each example, what does Brenda: • Most value? • Truly believe? • Impulsively feel like doing? 2/15/2019

Brenda’s Conflict with Mr. Carr Beliefs Problem Consequences Thoughts Feelings Behavior 2/15/2019 Based on a model created by Nicholas Long, Ph.D.

Personal Beliefs Our personal beliefs tell us what to expect from ourselves and others in our personal lives. We learn our beliefs from our family and friends, but also from our culture, from the media, and from society. Our beliefs usually feel right to us, but they can sometimes lead us to do things that make life harder, not better. 2/15/2019

Personal Beliefs Survey HOW STRONGLY DO YOU BELIEVE IN EACH OF THESE STATEMENTS? WHAT ELSE DO YOU BELIEVE? WHERE DID YOU LEARN THIS? You shouldn’t have to put up with rude people. Family comes first, no matter what. You have a right to defend yourself if someone criticizes you. Being right on time isn’t really that important... Friends should be able to count on each other’s support in problems. It is better to keep your problems or mistakes to yourself. 2/15/2019

Analyzing Personal Beliefs: Andy Andy believes that: “You have a right to defend yourself if somebody criticizes you. So when: His wife critically complains that they are lost again, and wants to stop for directions... Andy would probably: _____________________ 2/15/2019

Analyzing Personal Beliefs: Barb Barb believes that: “I shouldn’t have to put up with rude people. So when: A 16-year-old store clerk rudely asks, “Yeah? What do you want?” Barb would probably: _____________________ 2/15/2019

Analyzing Personal Beliefs: Henry Henry believes that: “Friends should be able to count on each other’s support.” So when: His buddy’s suspicious girlfriend asks where the two of them REALLY were last night... Henry would probably: _____________________ 2/15/2019

APPLYING THE SKILL We can all find our beliefs backfiring on us, especially in stressful situations. Choose one item from the list above that you believe in STRONGLY, or make up another one of your own. Work together with a partner to fill in the last blank on the chart as it applies to your own personal life. 2/15/2019

Lesson Summary Today, we've learned about the power of beliefs in guiding decisions. We've explored some of the important values & beliefs we use in our personal lives, and seen how they can impact our choices in positive or negative ways. In our next session, we will discuss employers' unspoken expectations for us at work and explore how these can sometimes conflict with our powerful personal beliefs. 2/15/2019

Workin’ It Out Key Point #1 Personal beliefs are powerful ideas that help us judge what is or isn't appropriate in daily situations. 2/15/2019

Workin’ It Out Key Point #2 Violated values or beliefs can spark a chain reaction of angry feelings and impulse reactions which MAY lead to negative consequences. 2/15/2019

Let’s complete the MiniQuiz in the workbook and review it as a group. √ Let’s complete the MiniQuiz in the workbook and review it as a group. 2/15/2019

Today’s Pearl of Wisdom: "Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% what you make of it." How does this fit in with our lesson? What is ONE THING you learned in this class that you will remember after leaving? 2/15/2019