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 and the thinking of others. You will be engaged in reflection,
partner activities, storytelling, discussion groups, self-assessment, and giving and receiving
feedback.

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 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
 Confidant
 Thoughtful
 Complex
 Realistic
 Cautious
 Balanced
 Cooperative
 Shy
 Quiet
 Attentive
 Picky

 Other Words that describe you: ____________________________

____________________________

____________________________

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 Your Personal Identity
“Who Are You?”

ROLES
WHERE HAVE YOU TAKEN ON
RESPONSIBILITIES IN YOUR LIFE

PERSONAL CORE LEARNING

WHOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED AND
YOURSELF IN ONE SENTENCE? WHAT ARE YOU HOPING TO
LEARN?

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 YOUR PERSONALITY IDENTITY
“Who Are You?”

VALUES
FAMILY HISTORY
WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO
YOU?
WHERE HAVE YOU COME FROM ?

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

STRENGTHS
WHERE DO YOU HOPE TO BE IN 5-
WHAT SKILL AND TALENT DO YOU 10 YEARS?
HAVE?

INTEREST

WHAT ARE YOUR MOST

INTERESTED IN?

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 A Portrait of Yourself 

• The best thing(s) I ever did was (were) _______________________________________

• I wish I could lose my fear of _______________________________________________

• I know I have the talent to _________________________________________________

• I enjoy people who _______________________________________________________

• I admire ________________________________________________________________ 

• I feel most productive when ________________________________________________

• I am motivated by ________________________________________________________

• I almost never ___________________________________________________________

• My idea of fun is _________________________________________________________

• Work is exciting when _____________________________________________________

• The best advice I ever got was ______________________________________________

• The thing I value most is ___________________________________________________

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 • If money were no object, I would ____________________________________________

• It is easy for me to focus on ________________________________________________

• My idea of a perfect life is __________________________________________________

• My best days are _________________________________________________________

• My dream is _____________________________________________________________

• I always wanted to ________________________________________________________

• I look forward to _________________________________________________________

• I spent too much time _____________________________________________________

• The thing my friends like about me is _________________________________________

• When I try to change something _____________________________________________

• In a group I like to _______________________________________________________

• If I ever win a prize it will be for ______________________________________________

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 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

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 Success Stories 

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

1. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________ 

2. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________ 

3. ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________ 

What does this say about who you are and what’s important to you? Share with your group

“why” these success stories are important to you. 

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 BASIC PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS

BELONGING RECOGNITION

A SENSE THAT SOMEONE TRULY A SENSE THAT YOU ARE

CARES ABOUT YOU. THAT YOU ACKNOWLEDGE FOR WHAT YOU
ARE IN A MUTUAL AND LOVING ACCOMPLISHED AND WHO YOU
RELATIONSHIPWITH ANOTHER ARE. TO FEEL SIGNIFICANT, THAT
PERSON. YOU MAKE AN IMPACT.

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 FREEDOM SELF-ESTEEM

THE NEED TO HAVE CHOICE IN THE NEED TO FEEL COMPETENT

LIFE, TO HAVE A SENSE OF & CONFIDENT.THE SENSE THAT
CONTROL OVER THE DECISIONS YOU CAN ACHIEVE RESULTS,
THAT DIRECT YOUR BEHAVIOIR. MAKE GOOD DECISIONS AND
TO BE FREE OF A SENSE OF YOU WILL STAND BY YOUR
EXTERNAL CONTROL PRINCIPLES

FUN
SAFETY
THE NEED TO HAVE JOY AND
THE NEED TO FEEL PHYSICALLY
LAUGHTER IN YOUR LIFE. THE
AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY SAFE.
SENSE THAT WE CAN FEEL
ELATAION AND LIGHT FREE FROM EMOTIONAL AND
HEARTEDNESS PHYSICAL THREATS OR HARM

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 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

Self-Esteem Safety

Freedom Fun

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 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?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 Changes in Our Lives

Think about an important change you made in your life.

1. Describe the change.

2. What were you thinking going through the change?

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

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 Change and Emotions

1. Why is change hard for most people?

2. Why is change easier for some people?

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

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 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

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 Talk about some personal examples with participants in your small group.

Loss Fear

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 Transitions
The psychological process people experience when going through change.

Ending Neutral Zone Beginning

experience uncertainty

• • in-between stage confidence • beginning to realize new

possibilities
loss of identity
• • can drop old doubts arise

letting go the old ways and habits • outlook changes

feeling uncomfortable anxiety
• •
resistance can set in experience the
and worry is normal • feeling of starting a new chapter
• grieving process o denial o anger o •
in your life
confusing state … you let go the old
bargaining o depression o • way, but you are not yet experiencing • hopefulness
acceptance the new way
•
• confidence rises
lose or let go old attitudes, values, •
•
and behaviors • see and experience success with the
change

Bridges, W., (1991). Managing

Transitions. W. Bridges & Associates.

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
“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+

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
What are the important life experiences that changed you in some way?

What have you taken forward into your life (attitudes, behaviors, beliefs)?

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 “What If” Discussion Groups

What would you do and why?

• What if you won a million dollars? What would you do with the windfall?

• 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?

• What If you were granted three wishes? What would you wish for?

• What if you had the power to give yourself a special ability? What talent or ability would you
give yourself and why?

• What if you had the chance to spend a day with anyone in the world? Who would you choose
and why?

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 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

Debriefing Questions

• What was your experience going through this exercise?

• How was this difficult for you?

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
 • What were you thinking (self-talk) before and during this speech?

• What were you feeling before you told your story?

• What is it you want us to see in you by telling this story?

Feedback

A gift or strength I see in you Something I am curious about

MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.

PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.
MMG COLLEGE OF GENERAL SANTOS CITY, INC.
PREPARED BY:
ARENAS, MA. THERESA L.