Page 42 - Foundations of Learning, 4th Edition (Revised)

WhoWahom Ia?m I?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, 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 how many
blows or hits you receive; what does matter is how you respond to those blows (i.e., being able
to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and continue on). Making a commitment to positively deal
with the negative hits of life can be the difference between destructive and constructive behaviors
in your moments of distress.

Components of a Life Vision Portfolio

A Life Vision Portfolio can include many components that are added (and added to) over time. There is no
set format or structure that must be followed. Examples of components that might be included in an LVP are:

An exploration into who you are:

Pre-assessment—Before building a portfolio further, the first item should be a three to four-page
“Who Am I?” paper. Use this paper to establish a benchmark as to where you are at this point in
time. By doing so, it will be much easier to see growth and development as it occurs.

Self-analysis—Analyze or inventory your likes and dislikes. Discuss your areas of interest and
disinterest. What do you like to do? How do you most enjoy spending your time? Clarify your top
ten to fifteen likes and then do the same for the things you dislike most.

Passion exploration—A passion is more than an area of interest or something you like to do. A
passion brings on strong emotional feelings and represents something you care about deeply.
Discuss and rank the five things you are most passionate about in the format of a two to four-page
paper.

36 Foundations of Learning