A Journey of Self-Discovery

I recently returned from a workshop with a difference.  A Journey of Self-Discovery led by David Ferrers. It was an amazing, life-affirming experience held in Kerala, India.

When you want to make significant changes in your life, it helps to take yourself out of your usual environment and step out of your comfort zone. There is no better place to do this than in a different country, climate and culture.

Being abroad is a wonderful way to get away from day-to-day life.

• You avoid the distractions of the office, being mostly disconnected from technology and social media, puts you into a different mindset.

• You're able to focus on what’s really important in your life, without the daily interruptions you have in your usual environment, especially if you're in a different timezone.

• You have time to think about your own needs, without the pressure of outside influences that usually eat into your time. 

• You have new experiences, connect with people who enrich your life and learn to understand yourself better. 

The workshop was very different from the usual learning and self-development workshops you may have attended or heard about.

There were only a handful of slides over the whole week. There was very little in the way of being 'taught' (talked at). There were no handouts - we created our own notes or took notes for each other.

Working mainly in pairs or groups of three, we were coaching each other right from the start, a much more powerful and immersive way of learning. We came together as a group to share what we'd learned about ourselves and from each other.

As there were only 10 of us in total - the beauty of a small group means you have a more intense, personal experience and get more out of the time you spend together. 

We were able to dig deeper by asking questions, trusting our own intuition and being gently challenged and guided by the skilled interaction of our coach, David Ferrers and each other. 

Plenty of ‘down-time’ is just as important to learning and development. We had time to relax between sessions, to consolidate our thoughts, open up to new ways of thinking and behaving. Time to observe and interact with the people around us. Opportunities to experience new things, share a beer or two and eat great food.

After a few days, a group of strangers had quickly established bonds and become close. Sharing some of our deepest thoughts, we realised we all have the same needs and challenges, even though we come from different backgrounds and cultures.

We were in a safe, creative and inspiring place. We discovered things we didn’t know or had forgotten about ourselves. We were challenged and came away with a greater understanding of who we are and where our strengths lie.

As with any journey, it all begins with the first step. We are all more powerful, capable and happier as a result of what we discovered together as we now take our next steps.

If you want to start your own journey and learn how to restore the natural balance in your own life, get in touch.