Why do Workshops?
Lindon's Keyboard - Why do Workshops?
"To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life."
-Robert Louis Stevenson
"The journey is where most of the excitement is, it breathes life into the result. If this weren't true we would all read the last chapter of a book first."
-Lindon Crow
I was playing with my 20 month-old daughter the other day and I became fascinated by her enormous curiosity. We were playing with a climbing toy of hers and while she was definitely trying to get to the top in order to slide down it, most of her delight appeared to be in discovering the necessary steps to get there. This intrigued me because it showed me that she was just as interested in the process of discovery as in reaching her goal. I've observed the same thing when she assembles a puzzle that she has. While she is pleased upon completion, she is thrilled each and every time she gets a portion of it to "fit". The process of figuring things out plays a big part in her experience of fun. I recognize a similar attitude within myself. While working with some of the computer technology available to me, figuring out how to get the results I want is very exhilarating. Since I recently started roller-blading, I've noticed that the same holds true whenever I embark on a new activity.
I was talking to several of our clients while doing a survey and they frequently told me that Productive Learning & Leisure offered them the opportunity to continue to engage in the learning process without having to go back to school or spend months (or years) pursuing advanced degrees. These people really LIKED to learn. For many, formal schooling was a means to an end. We went to school so that we could achieve something else - a better job, more money, better opportunities, etc. Yet, others of us loved school because of the process of learning itself and the reward of discovery.
People often do workshops as a means to an end. They have a certain situation in their lives and want to "fix" it. There is nothing wrong with that approach. Workshops are definitely effective for that purpose. However, there are other reasons to do workshops. As a preventative measure to avoid greater problems, learning how to better understand human behavior (especially our own) can be extremely effective and gratifying. While the discoveries themselves can be unnerving or downright ugly, knowing that you can do something about them is very exciting and can create tremendous peace of mind.
Most of our clients are "baby boomers" in their late 30's to early 50's. People in this age group have been commonly viewed as prime candidates for experiencing "mid-life crisis". I see it as a very exciting time for them to reevaluate their lives. Some "boomers" view this period in their life as a halfway point. They recognize their accomplishments, re-assess their priorities, and expect the second half of their life to be even better than the first. Self-awareness training is ideal for them.
There are many vehicles from which to choose. Whether it be books, tapes, or seminars, it is evident that self-development is very popular. I was recently reading a list of the "Top 40" paperback books. Nine of them were about relationships, motivation, awareness or personal growth. With technology progressing faster than ever, we need to find better ways to create and maintain our human relationships. It is not a natural process. It requires effort. Recent statistics on broken marriages tell us that we must upgrade our people skills.
Being in the "people development" field for nearly 15 years, I've discovered that regardless of how accomplished we are in our businesses and careers, the process of gaining insights into behavior is ongoing, fascinating, and essential for growth. At Productive Learning & Leisure, we emphasize two elements that are very important to people today; the need to "grow" within relationships and the need for more fun & laughter in life. Responses to our questionnaires and current trend reports confirm this.
Whether you're experiencing a problem that needs to get "fixed", you feel that a preventative program will help you avoid bigger problems, or simply because you value the process of discovery and like to have fun, we have great things in store for you at Productive Learning & Leisure.
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