Serious Thinking for Serious Times

Personal development is essential if we want to meet the demands that an increasingly complex society is putting on us.

Research indicates that the majority of a population are misaligned with their world, they are ‘in over their heads’. This can be readily observed in the many intelligent, educated, and trained people heading governments, organisations, and companies who are mentally aligned with a simpler world than the world in which we actually live today.

The idea that personal development can be continued in adulthood may be surprising to some people, as will be the idea that such development does not just happen but must be intentionally and deliberately undertaken.

One natural response is to feel overwhelmed and opt out of development; these demands, after all, are not of our own making - they come from the evolution of society around us and so are outside our control. An alternative and better option, however, is to opt in to undertaking the commitment to grow, in order to align ourselves with the world in which we live, and is within our control.

Continuing development in adulthood requires us becoming aware of how we think so we can release ourselves from the limits currently imposed on us by our unexamined assumptions about ‘how the world works’ that silently shape our thinking. It does not require us to expand what we think by acquiring more knowledge, information, or skills through what comes under the heading of ‘adult education’.

This kind of development we are talking about is not about acquiring more knowledge and information through further education and training, qualifications, certifications, and what goes under the heading ‘adult education’. Not being aware of this gives rise to confusion and substantial effort being wasted on courses, programmes, and events because it is hoped they will deliver what they cannot. 

The Keynes Centre is a pioneer internationally in developing methods for supporting continuing development in adulthood through Developmental Experiences, which are the cornerstone of our approach.

The ‘Assumptive Dive' Workout 2020 is directed at exploring how to think about the sources of beliefs that silently shape our behaviours towards key matters in our personal, professional, and public lives. It provides a catalyst, the opportunity and mental space, for intentionally and deliberately exploring your implicit, hidden assumptions about ‘how the world works’ that governs decision-making and conduct in our private and public activities.

The ‘Assumptive Dive' will open your way to transforming how you think, to growing your independent capability for making clear choices and judgements, to improving your relationships and interactions with others, and to living and operating more effectively in an uncertain world.

You can build the confidence to move beyond the comfort zone of ingrained habits of thought and to experiment with other perspectives and new ideas. You will learn how to listen in a real sense to others as part of how to form your own opinions without feeling threatened and to stimulate and encourage openness through personal and professional dialogue.

The ‘Assumptive Dive' Workout  is open to all and the only qualification for participation and benefitting is a deep interest in having greater awareness of how we think about ‘how the world works’ shapes our conduct and behaviours in everyday situations.

And you can participate in the ease and safety of your home this Autumn.

The 2020 Workout will be conducted entirely online over four months, in seven one-and-a-half hour virtual sessions at fortnightly intervals, beginning on October 19, 2020.

Places are limited to ensure all participants have the opportunity to participate actively in this developmental experience

This Personal Growth Workout is also recognised for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Certificates of Completion are also available. 

You can get more information on our approach at https://keynes.ucc.ie/experiences-overview/ and The 'Assumptive Dive' Workout at keynes.ucc.ie/assumptive-dive-workout/ .

And if you have queries or would like to talk with us email to [email protected].

With best wishes for continuing your development in the coming season.

Dr Connell Fanning,

Professor Emeritus and Director,

The Keynes Centre at University College Cork.

and 

Dr Assumpta O’Kane, Occupational Psychologist,

Practitioner Research Associate,

The Keynes Centre at University College Cork.