1. 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
© 2015 by Steve Parese, Ed.D.
2/15/2019

2. 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

3. 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
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4. 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?
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5. 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.
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6. Brenda’s Values, Beliefs & Impulses
In each example, what does Brenda:
• Most value?
• Truly believe?
• Impulsively feel like doing?
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7. Brenda’s Conflict with Mr. Carr
Beliefs
Problem
Consequences
Thoughts Feelings
Behavior
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Based on a model created by Nicholas Long, Ph.D.

8. 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.
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9. 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.
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10. 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:
_____________________
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11. 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:
_____________________
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12. 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:
_____________________
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13. 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.
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14. 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.
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15. Workin’ It Out
Key Point #1
Personal beliefs are powerful ideas that help us judge what is or isn't appropriate in daily situations.
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16. 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.
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17. 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.
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18. 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