Holistic Personal Development for Meaningful Engagement

Workshop presented at Festival of Learning, BCCampus in Vancouver, B.C. on May 30, 2018

Abstract

Personal development is one of the best ways to protect health and promote wellbeing. It is also one of the essential ingredients for developing the ability to cultivate deep relational engagement with other people. Holistic personal development refers to optimal, integrated development of one’s body, mind, heart or emotions, spirit and professional development.

Although in essence, we are whole beings, it is useful to describe holistic personal development by categorizing the different aspects of ourselves into physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and professional dimensions. Each aspect relates to important needs or states that we must achieve to be holistically developed and well. The integration of all aspects forms a cohesive whole that serves people well in sustaining a healthy and happy life and effective professional practice.

I presented this learning activity in an interactive way, encouraging attendees to participate in the five-part self-assessment and action planning for holistic personal development. It supports the notion that well-rounded, holistic personal development is foundational to taking action in the world, and having a meaningful effect on interactions, relationships, networking, and professional development.

In this session, students and faculty engaged in reflection and action planning to shape a holistic plan that fit their life-style. They explored the use of mobile apps and the role of mindfulness to support this development. This is based on a learning activity that nursing students do to better understand their place in the world and how they can develop themselves and have an impact in their chosen profession.