True Colors Training--Staff

Self Actualization and Your Dominant Color – How You Reach Potential

The fall semester is right around the corner. The start of the academic year marks a new beginning for students and staff alike. New goals are determined, new strategies are implemented. Don’t forget about yourself in all of the hustle and bustle. Plan now to set new personal goals and reach new heights of potential in all you do. This article and exercise discusses self- actualization. We hope you are able to use this exercise to reflect before the demands of August are at your door.

Self-actualization is our highest need. We all want to express our true selves and reach our potential, and pursuing your ideal career is a means to doing just that. How you choose to self-actualize is the key. Each color is motivated to do this in a different way.

The chart below demonstrates how the four personalities may choose to reach their potential through self-actualization as noted in Follow Your True Colors to the Work You Love (Kalil & Lowry, 1999). Additionally, the second chart shows an example of how we reach self actualization through addressing needs of safety, feelings of belonging, etc.




Try this brief exercise to explore how you reach self-actualization and expressing your best self.

Expressing Your Best Self
Choose your dominant color below and answer the question. Write down an example of when you have felt self-actualized meaning a culmination of self esteem, sense of belonging, safety and well. If you define yourself as a gold/green, for example, answer both categories below.

If your dominant color is:

Green
When have you experienced being powerful or mentally competent? {Remember power does not have to mean in the traditional sense of the word. Use the word strong if you prefer.}

Blue
When have you experienced feeling meaning and purpose in your life?

Orange
When have you experienced being free and spontaneous?

Gold
When have you experienced having social status and security in your life?

This exercise gives you a concrete way to explore reaching potential using the specific lens that your natural temperament provides. The fall semester begins a new beginning. Some reflection, planning and exploration now will provide much needed information to tackle your new goals in the new year.

Kalil, C. and Lowry, D. (1999). Follow your true colors to the work you love. Corona, California: True Colors, Inc. Publishing.

True Colors Training --
· Sept. 20, 2011 @ 8:30 – 12:00 noon @ UC Bexar Room
· Sept. 28, 2011 @ 1:30 – 5:00 @ UC Bexar Room

True Colors Training Schedule for staff (SD 410) ---- Fall 2011

True Colors Training Schedule for Student Affairs student employees (SD 417) -- Fall 2011

Any comments? Please send to VPSA@utsa.edu

Four C’s Training Schedule for staff (SD 415) – Fall 2011

Four C’s Training ---
· Oct. 18, 2011 @ 1:30 – 5:00 @ UC Harris Room
· Oct. 26, 2011 @ 8:30 – 12:00 noon @ UC Harris Room

VPSA@utsa.edu