Basic HTML Version
L
EARNING
TO
L
EARN
: B
ECOMING
A
S
ELF
-G
ROWER
55
E
XPERIENCE
3: Y
OUR
P
AST
D
OESN
’
T
D
EFINE
Y
OUR
F
UTURE
READING
• allowing you to use evaluative items to demonstrate your strengths rather than weaknesses
• helping you to gain self-confidence as you see growth and improvement in your abilities
• allowing you to reaffirm who you are and what your values are
• providing you with a greater sense of empowerment as you make progress on goals and objectives
It doesn’t take much to get started with a life vision; all you need is to have an interest in appreciating and
guiding your own life. Once you have that, beginning your portfolio makes good sense. And while there
isn’t a set format for an LVP, having one is important enough that it’s part of the requirements for this
course. You may be thinking, “Yeah, nice idea, but what do I actually need to DO?” The information in
this section provides you with the criteria that your life vision and LVP should meet. It also outlines what
additions you will be asked to make to your portfolio during this course.
Remember
: Starting your life
vision is the first step in the process of planning and tracking your growth and development, not only as a
student, but in all facets of your life.
Factors that Promote Commitment to the Development of a Life Vision
Being Comfortable with Self-Disclosure and Exploration
Self-disclosure involves dealing with the good, the bad, and the ugly about YOU. It is very important
to be true to yourself as you reflect upon your personal history. Many times we are willing to share
only those things we are proud of. As you take time to reflect upon past events, activities, behaviors,
and people in your life, you must make honest determinations. As you explore new challenges and
opportunities, you must learn from the past and apply those lessons to the present and the future. You
must stretch your mind, body, and soul to increase knowledge and level of performance. Having a
level of comfort with self-disclosure prevents cover-ups and promotes growth.
Valuing the Process of Developing a Life Vision
Charles Garfield, a noted expert on the subject of performance wrote, “Peak performers develop
powerful mental images of the behavior that will lead to the desired results. They see in their mind’s
eye the result they want and the actions leading to it.” When you choose to value this process, you
choose to value yourself enough to take the first step on a journey of self-acceptance, self-confidence,
self-discipline, self-love, and self-actualization.
Having a Mentor Who Supports You and the Process
A mentor is an instructor, coach, advisor, or perhaps a fellow student who can assist you in reaching
your goals and dreams. Maya Angelou, a world-famous and award-winning author, shared real words
of wisdom when she wrote, “Nobody, but nobody can make it out there alone.”As a student, you should
develop relationships that are mutually supportive. A mentor
can serve as that liaison between who you are and who you
want to be, someone who points you in the right direction for
success in your college career and in other areas of your life.
You Must have a Plan to Deal with the Serious “Negative Hits”
of Life
There is an old adage which says, “into each life, some rain
must fall,” or putting it another way, “in life, stuff happens.”
Receiving
negative hits
is a part of growth. It does not matter