Module One

Understanding Self

RIZZA F. LASAY

BSA-1D
Table of Contents

-Introduction to Module One – Understanding Self

-Words That Describe Me

-Your Personal Identity

-A Portrait of Yourself

-Setting Priorities About Values

-Success Stories

-Basic Psychological Needs

-My Unique Picture Album

-Responding to Change

-Changes In Our Lives

-Change and Emotions

-Understanding Change

-Transitions

-My Lifeline – Important People and Experiences

-“What If” Discussion Groups

-Two – Minutes Speeches

-Feedback
 Introduction to Module One

Understanding Self

Knowing oneself is critical to being an effective team member as well as being successful in life,
work, and relationships. Your personal identity influences everything you do, and it changes and
evolves over time.

The purpose of this module is to help you deepen your understanding and appreciation for who
you are as a person. You will explore how you see yourself through the lenses of personal
identity, your skills and talents, roles, values, personal core, and how you meet your
psychological needs. You will also examine how you respond to the pressures of changes and
transitions in your life.

You will have an opportunity to examine how your personal identity has been shaped by a
variety of people and experiences. You will also have opportunities to think about and discuss
your values, interests, hopes for the future, as well as, your strengths and challenges. You will
learn about how your psychological needs are the primary source that motivates and drives
your behavior. You will also learn critical knowledge about change and how important it is in
today’s workplace to be adaptive and to embrace change as a personal and professional growth
experience.

You will be invited and encouraged to take risks, to step outside your comfort zone, and to
challenge your thinking of others. You will be engaged in reflection, partner activities,
storytelling, discussion groups, self-assessment, and giving and receiving feedback.
 Words That Describe Me

Circle the words that describe you. Add additional words.

Adaptive Self-Aware Tolerant

Dependable Intelligent Fearless

Compassionate Hard Worker Capable with Hands

Respectful Calm Humble

Energetic Eccentric Clever

Creative Confident Thoughtful

Complex Realistic Cautious

Balanced Cooperative Shy

Quiet Attentive Picky

Other Words that describe you:

Insecure

Lovable

Independent

Jolly

Athlete

Faithful
 Your Personal Identity

“Who Are You?”

Roles

Where have you taken on

responsibilities in your life?

I’ve taken my responsibilities in

life in our home and school.

Personal Core Learning

How would you describe yourself

in one sentence? What have you learned and what are
you hoping to learn?

I describe myself being a good

daughter and a being. I’ve learned a lot of things in life and in
school. What I hope to learn is all about
things that I didn’t know yet.
 Your Personal Identity

“Who Are You?”

Family History Values

I come from El-Retiro, Family, Parents, & Friends

Cabid-anSorsogon City.

Strengths Hopes for the Future

I have skills in sports and my

talents are singing, dancing, Working in abroad.
drawing and writing.

Interests

I am most interested in
studying different
languages.
 A Portrait of Yourself

•The best thing(s) I ever did was (were) when I was young, I’ve done a wonderful thing when I

was elementary.

• I wish I could lose my fear ofstanding in front of many people.

• I know I have the talent todraw, dance, sing and paint.

• I enjoy people whoare funny, understanding, caring, loving and kind.

• I admiremy parents and teachers.

• I feel most productive whendoing physical activities.

• I am motivated bymy family, friends, classmates & cousins.

• I almost neverforget those things I’d experienced the hard times.

• My idea of fun isto travel with family, friends and classmates.

• Work is exciting whenthere is a presentation.

• The best advice I ever got wasto enjoy life while you’re still young.

• The thing I value most are the gifts and letters I’ve received from my friends and family.

• If money were no object, I wouldmake it plastics.

• It is easy for me to focus onstudying.

• My idea of a perfect life is having a complete and a happy life.

• My best days arebirthdays, Christmas, New year’s, and piesta.

• My dream isto graduate college.

• I always wanted tohave a license in driving and to achieve my goals in life.

• I look forward tochange myself.

• I spent too much timeusing my cellphone.

• The thing my friends like about me isbeing me as a funny friend,

• When I try to change somethingI consult to my family and friends/classmates.

• In a group I like tolisten and share my ideas.

• If I ever win a prize it will be formy family.

 Setting Priorities About Values

Values are beliefs, feelings, and principles that guide a person’s actions and give those actions

meaning.

Values

1. Money

2. Peace of mind

3. Happiness

4. Success

5. Nature

6. Spiritual Life

7. Friends

8. Taking on Challenges

9. Satisfaction with Work

10. Learning

11. Balancing Your Life (work and play)

12. Physical Health

 Success Stories

Think about and write two or three of your success stories.

1. I graduated Elementary in Divine Healer Academy of Sorsogon which I did my best in school. I

had a happy memories and experiences in my Elementary days with my classmates and friends.

I joined in activities which involved my physical ability and I enjoyed every activity I’d joined. I

also joined sports and participating in competition for slogan and poster making.

2.I also graduated High School in Divine Healer Academy of Sorsogon. I participated in any

activities in our school like being an athlete or becoming one of our school varsities in the sport

of volleyball. I also participated in dancing with my classmates which the audiences like our

performance in stage.

3.I graduated Senior High School in Sorsogon National High School. For myself, I did my best

even though I didn’t belong to those ‘with honors’ but I finished Senior High School and I’m

proud of it. And now, I am a college student already.

What does this say about who you are and what’s important to you?I am competitive but weak

and the important for me is to achieve my goals.

Share with your group “why” these success stories are important to you.

It is important to me because; in order to achieve what I deserve, I need to do things that would

benefits my skill and talents. I had to show to others what I can do and I had the chance to know

my weaknesses and strengths.

 Basic Psychological Needs

Belonging Recognition

A sense that someone A sense that you are

truly cares about you. acknowledged for what
That you are in a you accomplish and
mutual and loving who you are. To feel
relationship aith significant, that you
another person. make an impact.

Freedom Self-Esteem

The need to have choice The need to feel competent &

in your life, to have a
sense of control over the
decisions that direct
your behavior.To be free
from a sense of external
control.
confident. The sense that you
can achieve results, make good
decisions, and you will stand by
your principles.

Fun Safety

The need to have joy and The need to feel physically and
laughter in your life. The sense psychological safe. Free from
that we can experience elation emotional and physical threats
and light heartedness. or harm.
 My Unique Picture Album

Think about the people, places, and experiences in your life that are very special to you. This is

where you get your psychological needs met. Write two examples in each box of how you meet

this particular need.

Belonging Recognition

•In my family, they gave and show me their love •I asked my friends about their family and

to me. friends to know them.

• In my friends, they also gave me love and •I accept my friend’s flaws and attitudes even in

happiness. my classmates.

Self-Esteem Safety

•I have confidence when I’m with my friends •I control myself not to be attached to anyone

but I have self-confidence. to avoid disappointments in the end.

•Thinking for positive things. • I keep my important things in a safe place.

Freedom Fun

•Being with friends. •Traveling, eating, wandering and talking with

• Staying and living in a boarding house. friends and family.

•In class.
 Responding to Change

How do you feel about change? When you are being asked to change, mark where you fall on

the continuum between the descriptions.

bad_________________________________________________good

annoyed_________________________________________________excited

depressed_________________________________________________ enthused

anxious _________________________________________________calm

tired__________________________________________________energized

disinterested__________________________________________________interested

discouraged __________________________________________________optimistic

overwhelmed__________________________________________________challenged

Do you typically embrace or resist change? I embrace change.

 Changes in Our Lives

Think about an important change you made in your life.

1.Describe the change.

I am improving my confidence. I am becoming independent through myself. I am not easily be

fooled by anyone. I focused to important things and time management. I am undergoing in

being matured.

2. What were you thinking going through the change?

It is hard because I became immature when I’m with my friends. I was being challenged in going

through the change but I accept the challenges and I’m going through with it.

3. How were you feeling before, during, and after you made the change?

It was sad because I need to move-on on how immature I am before. I overthink things during

the changes but I made my own decisions in life. After the change I was looking forward on how

I changed.
 Change and Emotions

1. Why is change hard for most people?

It is hard for most people even me because you will forget/move on your past self. Most people

are afraid on having regrets in changing themselves. They’ll forget those things on how it used

to be.

2. Why is change easier for some people?

Because, some people are strong and confident to change. They did not resist change and

doesn’t stick to their past self. They put their minds to change something in order to achieve

what they need. They are not afraid for failure because in failure you will get motivated to

change something and having a positive mind.

3. What strong emotions do people feel when they are asked to change?

The strong emotions may people feel when they are asked to change is fear and regrets. They

fear to lose something and regrets for changing themselves.

 Understanding Change
The two most important reasons why people find it difficult to change are loss and fear.

Loss of Fear of
• Control • The Unknown

• Confidence • Failure

• Identity • Embarrassment

• Power/Status • New Responsibilities

• Relationships • New People

• Hope • Negative Consequences

Talk about some personal examples with participants in your small group.

Loss Fear

▪in property ▪ of failure

▪in relationships ▪ of disappointments

▪of money ▪ of new people

▪ of family ▪ in calamity

▪ of hope ▪ of accidents

▪ of faith

▪ of courage

Transitions
 The Psychological process people experience when going through change.

Ending Neutral Zone Beginning

• loss of identity •experiences uncertainty • beginning to realize new

• letting go the old ways and • in – between stage possibilities

habits • confidence can drop • outlook changes

• resistance can set in • old doubts arise • feeling of starting a new

• experience the grieving • feeling uncomfortable chapter in your life

process • anxiety and worry is normal • hopefulness

○ denial • confusing state _ you let go the • confidence rises

○ anger old way, but you are not yet • see and experience success

○ bargaining experiencing the new way with the change

○ depression

○ acceptance Bridges, W., (1991). Managing

• lose or let go old attitudes, Transitions. W. Bridges &

values, and behaviors Associates.

“It’s not so much that we’re afraid of change or so in love with the old ways, but it’s that place

in between that we fear. There’s nothing to hold onto.” Marilyn Ferguson

My Lifeline – Important People and Experiences

Who are the important people that have helped shape who you are today?

___________________________

___________________________________________________

Birth 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40+

What are the important life experiences that changed you in some way?The important life
experiences that changed in me in some way are being with my family and friends. Also by
meeting and knowing people that I encounter every day and now.

What have you taken forward into your life (attitudes, behaviors, beliefs)?To change my
attitude and behaviors.
 “What If” Discussion Groups
What would you do and why?

•What if you won a million dollars? What would you do with the windfall?If I win a million
dollars I will give the windfall to my parents and build our dream house.

• What if you could travel to any place in the world? Where would you go, why would you go
there, and who would you invite along?If I have a chance to travel in any place in the world I will
go to Japan with my best friend Joanna because it’s our dream to visit Japan. Also I will invite
my family and other friends to travel Korea because we love to visit the places there.

• What if you were granted three wishes? What would you wish for?My first wish is to graduate
in college & have a nice job, my second wish is to build our dream house, and lastly my third
wish is to travel the world.

• What if you had the power to give yourself a special ability? What talent or ability would you
give yourself and why?If I had a power to give it to myself a special ability it would be by holding
my breath long in the water. Because I love swimming and I want to stay long in the deep of the
ocean.

•What if you had the chance to spend a day with anyone in the world? Who would you choose
and why?If I had the chance to spend a day with anyone it would be with my mother because,
she’s special to me and I love her. I want to spend a day with my mother and do whatever that
will make her smile.
 Two-Minute Speeches

Prepare a two-minute speech about yourself describing the essence of your personal identity,
“Who are you?” You can choose to share a personal story or an interesting experience. You can
talk about your family and career, or your goals and dreams.

Presentation Notes

WHO AM I?

I am just an ordinary girl living in this world with a simple life and a happy family. I
am the youngest daughter in our family, I have one sister and two brothers. But me and my sister are not in
good terms since high school. I didn’t know what’s the reasons why were on this situation that we became
distant from each other. I started overthink things on what happened between me and my sister. She
became my first best friend when we were young even we fight at that time. But look at us now we became
distant and we didn’t even talk to each other. Sometimes, when I saw sisters that are close to each other I
get jealous and sad. I miss having a sister by my side. I never yet experienced on going to mall with my
sister to buy something and also to wander in any places.” I want a sister,I need a sister” that’s the thing I
always think when I get jealous to other sisters who are close and having fun with each other like best
friends. When I have a friend I treated them like my sisters to reduce my feeling of missing my sister at my
side. I am happy when she’s happy with her friends but somehow I wish I am belong. But I know that she
loves me because when I once confined to the hospital she assisted and helped me. That’s the first time I
feel her love to me.
Let’s talk about my goals and dreams in life. I have a lot of goals and dreams, one
of those is to graduate college and find a job here in the Philippines and afterward to the other country. I
will build my dream house to my family, I will travel the world with my family and friends. I just mention
few of my goals and dreams but I have a lot of dreams with my family and friends. I will make my parents
proud to me someday. That’s all.

Debriefing Questions
•What was your experience going through this exercise? It is nice to share some of my

experiences in life involving my family and friends.

• How was this difficult for you? Yes it’s difficult but it makes me relieved by sharing those

experiences through a speech.

• What were you thinking (self-talk) before and during this speech? I think people judge me

through this speech.

• What were you feeling before you told your story? I feel nervous, shy abd emotional.

• What is it you want us to see in you by telling this story? Just being me.
 Feedback

A gift or strenght I see you Something I am curious about

Talented person, good friend, trusthworthy, Your skills in drawing
loving, kind, jolly, easy to be with, The story of your life
approachable -jarissa-
Strong girl, positive thinker When doing something weird.
-amor-
Good at braiding hair None
-joanna-
Memorizable, kind, friendly, joyful, (crazy) I am curious sometimes of your silenty
approachable, positive thinker, industrious, mood.
good friend -susan-

Such a thoughtful cousin/friend Nothing

You’re always happy
You’re a kind and loving daughter -charles-
Very supportive
A girl who’s truly friendly I am curious of your personality wherein(I)
Honest one, lovable, kind sometimes your action is difference from what
you are yesterday. -mary-
Thoughtful I am curious about what are the other attitude
you have. -marites-
Loud, silly, funny to be with, friendly I am curious about your attitude when you are
with your parents. -alexa-
Jolly I am curious about your beauty! Haha
-Camille-
True friend I am curious about your personality.
-Angelica-
Singing, Dancing, Drawing, Family, Friends, None
Best friends, God -Aprilyn-
Gifted, Caring, Lovable, kind, creative None
-Joan-
Talent gifted, you have strength in balancing I am curious about how you face your
and controling your emotions challenge or problems. I am also curious about
how you became happy and what things that
makes you happy amd what makes you sad or
disappoint.
-Rica-