Post by Mike on Dec 24, 2016 17:53:42 GMT 12
24-Dec-2016 Session
Today’s session was about self-development. I wanted to have a critical look at the process, especially-
+ What we’re trying to achieve, and what to expect
+ How to make it effective
+ What barriers we’ll face, e.g. anxiety, not-good-enough, social criticism
+ What the experience will feel like from the inside, both psychologically, emotionally, and socially
+ How to tell if we’re improving
There’s a lot more to cover, and this is a deep topic that we’ll revisit often.
What is self-development?
+ The simplest analogy I’ve found so far for self-development is mountain climbing.
+ Self-development cannot be measured well by how “high” you are on the mountain. Different people start at different places and climb at different speeds. Different mountains present different challenges. Instead, self-development is about maximizing your skills as a climber. Learning how to choose the best path, develop your grip, deal with ice, wind, and weather.
+ It’s about identifying and adjusting the aspects of your psychology – especially those which limit or sabotage your ability to live your ideal life.
What is Release, What is Journaling, and Why are they Important?
+ For most people who pursue self-development, the Release phase of 3X is the most neglected.
+ Release is essential – it’s where you Review and learn from the results of your actions. Recover from emotionally challenging experiences. And Measure your progress.
+ There are many ways to Release, including individual reflection, group discussion (aka assisted reflection), some types of meditation, and journaling. Each have strengths and weaknesses.
+ Journaling is perhaps the most beneficial, in part because it creates a permanent record of your self-development journey. Reviewing this in the future is a hugely powerful way to see your progress in each area of your life.
Continuing the mountain-climbing analogy. Release is where you stop climbing and install your Cam. This lets you clip on safely and rest, and refuel, completely letting go of the wall. It's also the time when you get to look down, and gauge your progress, and clear your mind while you explore the next path. Without release, we can't make much progress, because we are continually exhausted, stressed, and confused.
Different Approaches to Journaling
+ Handwritten journals. Slower, but you can combine writing and drawing, and it’s thought that the involvement of the motor cortex has benefits in memory and cognition.
+ Typewritten journal. Fast, and searchable.
+ Audio journals. Convenient. You can do this while walking, or in the car driving to work. It has the benefit of capturing some sense of your emotional state too, as you reflect. Uncertainty, discomfort, fear, etc. are better captured here than in written/ journals.
+ Video journals. Easy to do on your phone as well. Seeing yourself simply adds another dimension of information. Facial expressions and mood can tell you a lot about how you were feeling.
Today’s session was about self-development. I wanted to have a critical look at the process, especially-
+ What we’re trying to achieve, and what to expect
+ How to make it effective
+ What barriers we’ll face, e.g. anxiety, not-good-enough, social criticism
+ What the experience will feel like from the inside, both psychologically, emotionally, and socially
+ How to tell if we’re improving
There’s a lot more to cover, and this is a deep topic that we’ll revisit often.
What is self-development?
+ The simplest analogy I’ve found so far for self-development is mountain climbing.
+ Self-development cannot be measured well by how “high” you are on the mountain. Different people start at different places and climb at different speeds. Different mountains present different challenges. Instead, self-development is about maximizing your skills as a climber. Learning how to choose the best path, develop your grip, deal with ice, wind, and weather.
+ It’s about identifying and adjusting the aspects of your psychology – especially those which limit or sabotage your ability to live your ideal life.
What is Release, What is Journaling, and Why are they Important?
+ For most people who pursue self-development, the Release phase of 3X is the most neglected.
+ Release is essential – it’s where you Review and learn from the results of your actions. Recover from emotionally challenging experiences. And Measure your progress.
+ There are many ways to Release, including individual reflection, group discussion (aka assisted reflection), some types of meditation, and journaling. Each have strengths and weaknesses.
+ Journaling is perhaps the most beneficial, in part because it creates a permanent record of your self-development journey. Reviewing this in the future is a hugely powerful way to see your progress in each area of your life.
Continuing the mountain-climbing analogy. Release is where you stop climbing and install your Cam. This lets you clip on safely and rest, and refuel, completely letting go of the wall. It's also the time when you get to look down, and gauge your progress, and clear your mind while you explore the next path. Without release, we can't make much progress, because we are continually exhausted, stressed, and confused.
Different Approaches to Journaling
+ Handwritten journals. Slower, but you can combine writing and drawing, and it’s thought that the involvement of the motor cortex has benefits in memory and cognition.
+ Typewritten journal. Fast, and searchable.
+ Audio journals. Convenient. You can do this while walking, or in the car driving to work. It has the benefit of capturing some sense of your emotional state too, as you reflect. Uncertainty, discomfort, fear, etc. are better captured here than in written/ journals.
+ Video journals. Easy to do on your phone as well. Seeing yourself simply adds another dimension of information. Facial expressions and mood can tell you a lot about how you were feeling.