Module 3
Self Development
Learner Workbook
Project no – 2012-1-GB2-LEO05-08201
This project is co-financed by the European Commission.
This publication is of exclusive author’s responsibility. The European Commission
is not responsible for the use of the information disseminated in it.
The content of this workbook, such as text, pictures and graphics, including
corporate logos and brands, are protected by laws for the protection of
intellectual property. Distributing, changing or copying the contents of these
pages is prohibited.
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At the end of this module you will:
Learning Outcomes
Achieved
3.1 Recognise the significance of own
achievements and interests to own
development.
3.2 Recognise own strengths and
areas for further development.
3.3 Understand how a person’s
learning style influences career and
education choices.
3.4 Be able to set personal goals and
objectives.
3.5 Be able to make action plans to
achieve personal goals.
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Introduction
Benefits of Self Development
If you are not happy with the way things are in your life right now, you should not stop
yourself from wanting more. Everyone deserves something good in their lives and if you
are struggling to achieve some kind of resolution for yourself, you can work on some self
development strategies that will work to improve the quality of your life. If you are not
satisfied with what you have achieved, you can ask for more. If you are not happy with
the direction your life is following, you can try to employ the different self development
strategies so you can enjoy these three benefits: self awareness, strength and
transformation.
Becoming More Self Aware
People who do not know themselves well usually fail to achieve greatness because they
do not know how to take advantage of things that they have. When you employ different
self development strategies you can identify with your weaknesses and strengths and
use your knowledge to make improvements. If you know yourself and know what is good
for you, you can design a workable plan that will utilize your strengths efficiently. These
things affect the decisions you will make in life. When you know who you are, you will be
given full charge of your own life and determine your own reality.
Building Your Strength
Strength comes from experience. You will get the power you need to do things that you
normally cannot if you take some time to learn it and practice. As children, we learn most
of the things through practice. You can build your strengths in nearly anything by
practising it. If you are confident about what you can do, you will begin to overcome your
fears.
If you do not have enough experience about something, you get your strength from
motivation. People are motivated by different things. Some people work to be better
because they are concerned about their images. Some people aspire for more because
they know they deserve more. Some people want better things because they love the
challenge. Motivation is essential because it gives you power you probably thought you
did not have before.
Strength can also come from passion. If you are passionate about your goals, you can
succeed at fulfilling your dreams.
Planning a Transformation
People deserve second chances. You should not be content with what you have in your
life now. If you want more and you think you deserve more, you should not be afraid to
work towards it. If you think that you were meant for something else, you should not stop
yourself from being more, doing more and wanting more. Self development can help you
channel a better strategy that will enable you to achieve your goals
.
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3.1 What are two of your best achievements?
Short Example
Achievement – Passing my driving test
How did you achieve it – I achieved my licence through lots of practice, I
also had to learn and complete the theory test before I could do the practical
side
Achievement
How did you achieve it?
Achievement
How did you achieve it?
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What are two of your interests?
Short Example
Interest – Film Production
How do you follow this interest – I follow this interest through reading all
the latest news on the subject and trying some of the techniques I have learnt.
Interest
How do you follow this interest?
Interest
How do you follow this interest?
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How have the achievements and interests you listed helped you develop and get
where you are today?
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3.2 Personal Skills/Qualities Checklist
You may not realize it, but you have many valuable personal skills and qualities.
This assessment will help you identify your personal skills and qualities -- important
things you use every day that you can apply to any job, anywhere, anytime.
These are important to consider when you begin thinking about career options. Will your
personal skills/qualities be a good match for a particular career? Or will they be better
suited for one career more than another?
Place a check (
) next to the ones you possess and demonstrate.
I possess these: (check all that apply)
Skills
Qualities
I can....
I am....
Read signs and labels
Follow instructions
Give directions
Write clearly
Use ICT
Explain ideas
Speak to new people
Use telephone
Count accurately
Listen to others
Work alone
Think of new ideas
Find information
Use a calculator
Take responsibility
Make speeches
Tell the time
Ask for help
Plan how to do tasks
Organise others
Word process
Ask questions
Solve problems
Make decisions
Work with others
Work unsupervised
Get on well with people
Get up on time
Cope with emergencies
Lead a group
Complete tasks on time
Think quickly
Sensitive
Polite
Punctual
Patient
Confident
Practical
Hardworking
Honest
Energetic
Sociable
Outgoing
Observant
Careful
Responsible
Logical
Creative
Enthusiastic
Co-operative
Dependable
Genuine
Enquiring
Cautious
Calm
Assertive
Accurate
Curious
Resilient
Strong
Funny
Motivated
Musical
Artistic
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Mend and fix things
Help others
Work safely
Co-operate with others
Manage money
Design and make things
Speak another language
Give advice
Mechanical
Persuasive
Organised
Tidy
Adaptable
Tolerant
Considerate
Ambitious
As you can see, you have many personal skills and qualities! All the ones listed in this
exercise are valuable and important in any work environment.
Did you check them all? If not, did you come across some you would like to develop?
It's worth a try!
Now, let's summarize....
________________________________________
My Top 10
Which ten are your strongest?
Which ten would you like to improve?
1. _____________________
1. _________________________
2. _____________________
2. _________________________
3. _____________________
3. _________________________
4. _____________________
4. _________________________
5. _____________________
5. _________________________
6. _____________________
6. _________________________
7. _____________________
7. _________________________
8. _____________________
8. _________________________
9. _____________________
9. _________________________
10. ____________________
10. ________________________
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From your skills/qualities checklist, which ones will help you and why:
In A Work
Setting
In A Training
Setting
In Future
Life
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What areas do you feel you need to improve in and what could you do to improve
them?
Area for
improvement
What could you do to improve
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3.3 Learning Styles Self-Assessment Questionnaire
Circle or tick the answer that most represents how you generally behave.
1. When I operate new equipment I generally:
a) read the instructions first
b) listen to an explanation from someone who has used it before
c) go ahead and have a go, I can figure it out as I use it
2. When I need directions for travelling I usually:
a) look at a map
b) ask for spoken directions
c) follow my nose and maybe use a compass
3. When I cook a new dish, I like to:
a) follow a written recipe
b) call a friend for an explanation
c) follow my instincts, testing as I cook
4. If I am teaching someone something new, I tend to:
a) write instructions down for them
b) give them a verbal explanation
c) demonstrate first and then let them have a go
5. I tend to say:
a) watch how I do it
b) listen to me explain
c) you have a go
6. During my free time I most enjoy:
a) going to museums and galleries
b) listening to music and talking to my friends
c) playing sport or doing DIY
7. When I go shopping for clothes, I tend to:
a) imagine what they would look like on
b) discuss them with the shop staff
c) try them on and test them out
8. When I am choosing a holiday I usually:
a) read lots of brochures
b) listen to recommendations from friends
c) imagine what it would be like to be there
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9. If I was buying a new car, I would:
a) read reviews in newspapers and magazines
b) discuss what I need with my friends
c) test-drive lots of different types
10. When I am learning a new skill, I am most comfortable:
a) watching what the teacher is doing
b) talking through with the teacher exactly what I’m supposed to do
c) giving it a try myself and work it out as I go
11. If I am choosing food off a menu, I tend to:
a) imagine what the food will look like
b) talk through the options in my head or with my partner
c) imagine what the food will taste like
12. When I listen to a band, I can’t help:
a) watching the band members and other people in the audience
b) listening to the lyrics and the beats
c) moving in time with the music
13. When I concentrate, I most often:
a) focus on the words or the pictures in front of me
b) discuss the problem and the possible solutions in my head
c) move around a lot, fiddle with pens and pencils and touch things
14. I choose household furnishings because I like:
a) their colours and how they look
b) the descriptions the sales-people give me
c) their textures and what it feels like to touch them
15. My first memory is of:
a) looking at something
b) being spoken to
c) doing something
16. When I am anxious, I:
a) visualise the worst-case scenarios
b) talk over in my head what worries me most
c) can’t sit still, fiddle and move around constantly
17. I feel especially connected to other people because of:
a) how they look
b) what they say to me
c) how they make me feel
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18. When I have to revise for an exam, I generally:
a) write lots of revision notes and diagrams
b) talk over my notes, alone or with other people
c) imagine making the movement or creating the formula
19. If I am explaining to someone I tend to:
a) show them what I mean
b) explain to them in different ways until they understand
c) encourage them to try and talk them through my idea as they do it
20. I really love:
a) watching films, photography, looking at art or people watching
b) listening to music, the radio or talking to friends
c) taking part in sporting activities, eating fine foods and wines or dancing
21. Most of my free time is spent:
a) watching television
b) talking to friends
c) doing physical activity or making things
22. When I first contact a new person, I usually:
a) arrange a face to face meeting
b) talk to them on the telephone
c) try to get together whilst doing something else, such as an activity or a meal
23. I first notice how people:
a) look and dress
b) sound and speak
c) stand and move
24. If I am angry, I tend to:
a) keep replaying in my mind what it is that has upset me
b) raise my voice and tell people how I feel
c) stamp about, slam doors and physically demonstrate my anger
25. I find it easiest to remember:
a) faces
b) names
c) things I have done
26. I think that you can tell if someone is lying if:
a) they avoid looking at you
b) their voices changes
c) they give me funny vibes
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27. When I meet an old friend:
a) I say “it’s great to see you!”
b) I say “it’s great to hear from you!”
c) I give them a hug or a handshake
28. I remember things best by:
a) writing notes or keeping printed details
b) saying them aloud or repeating words and key points in my head
c) doing and practising the activity or imagining it being done
29. If I have to complain about faulty goods, I am most comfortable:
a) writing a letter
b) complaining over the phone
c) taking the item back to the store or posting it to head office
30. I tend to say:
a) I see what you mean
b) I hear what you are saying
c) I know how you feel
Now add up how many A’s, B’s and C’s you selected.
A’s =
B’s =
C’s =
If you chose mostly A’s you have a VISUAL learning style.
If you chose mostly B’s you have an AUDITORY learning style.
If you chose mostly C’s you have a KINAESTHETIC learning style.
Some people find that their learning style may be a blend of two or three styles, in this
case read about the styles that apply to you in the explanation below.
When you have identified your learning style(s), read the learning styles explanations
and consider how this might help you to identify learning and development that best
meets your preference(s).
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VAK Learning Styles Explanation
The VAK learning styles model suggests that most people can be divided into one of
three preferred styles of learning. These three styles are as follows, (and there is no right
or wrong learning style):

Someone with a Visual learning style has a preference for seen or observed
things, including pictures, diagrams, demonstrations, displays, handouts, films,
flip-chart, etc. These people will use phrases such as ‘show me’, ‘let’s have a look
at that’ and will be best able to perform a new task after reading the instructions or
watching someone else do it first. These are the people who will work from lists
and written directions and instructions.

Someone with an Auditory learning style has a preference for the transfer of
information through listening: to the spoken word, of self or others, of sounds and
noises. These people will use phrases such as ‘tell me’, ‘let’s talk it over’ and will
be best able to perform a new task after listening to instructions from an expert.
These are the people who are happy being given spoken instructions over the
telephone, and can remember all the words to songs that they hear!

Someone with a Kinaesthetic learning style has a preference for physical
experience - touching, feeling, holding, doing, practical hands-on experiences.
These people will use phrases such as ‘let me try’, ‘how do you feel?’ and will be
best able to perform a new task by going ahead and trying it out, learning as they
go. These are the people who like to experiment, hands-on, and never look at the
instructions first!
People commonly have a main preferred learning style, but this will be part of a blend of
all three. Some people have a very strong preference; other people have a more even
mixture of two or less commonly, three styles.
When you know your preferred learning style(s) you understand the type of learning that
best suits you. This enables you to choose the types of learning that work best for you.
There is no right or wrong learning style. The point is that there are types of learning that
are right for your own preferred learning style.
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What are the characteristics of your learning style and how might this influence
your career choices?
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3.4 Action plans and personal goals
Following are components of an effective goal – one that describes performance
standards that will “tell us what good behaviour looks like.” The SMART acronym can
help us remember these components.
Specific
The goal should identify a specific action or event that will take
place.
Measurable
The goal and its benefits should be quantifiable.
Achievable
The goal should be attainable given available resources.
Realistic
The goal should require you to stretch some, but allow the likelihood
of success.
Timely
The goal should state the time period in which it will be
accomplished.
Here are some tips that can help you set effective goals:
1.
Develop several goals. A list of five to seven items gives you several things to
work on over a period of time.
2.
State goals as declarations of intention, not items on a wish list. "I want to apply to
three schools" lacks power. "I will apply to three schools," is intentional and
powerful.
3.
Attach a date to each goal. State what you intend to accomplish and by when. A
good list should include some short-term and some long-term goals. You may
want a few goals for the year, and some for two- or three-month intervals.
4.
Be specific. "To find a job" is too general; "to find and research five job openings
before the end of the month" is better. Sometimes a more general goal can
become the long-term aim, and you can identify some more specific goals to take
you there.
5.
Share your goals with someone who cares if you reach them. Sharing your
intentions with your parents, your best friend, or your teacher will help ensure
success.
6.
Write down your goals and put them where you will see them. The more often you
read your list, the more results you get.
7.
Review and revise your list. Experiment with different ways of stating your goals.
Goal setting improves with practice, so play around with it.
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My major job objective or career goal:
The following intermediate goals are focused on the next _____ months:
Education/Training goals:
Action steps:
Occupational goals:
Action steps:
Personal health/wellness goals:
Action steps:
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3.5 SMART Goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely
Now select in detail ONE specific goal that you are planning to achieve.
Goal Statement:
What do I need to do to reach this goal?
Where am I now?
Why is this goal relevant to where I am now?
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Obstacles:
Solutions:
My goal steps:
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