- We all need to evolve. We can wait for change to be forced upon us or anticipate it and consciously direct our own evolution.

- The law of resonance rules our world and the way we relate to it. This principle states that similar frequencies connect and amplify one another. And since everything has an inherent frequency, it means that each person creates, provokes or attracts his/her reality. In other words: our external life is a reflection of what we do internally. That is why any change starts with oneself.

- Level of awareness = know where my actions come from and take charge. What I produce in the world depends on what moves me inside (-> see 7 Level of Consciousness ).

- The Peter Pan syndrome: a prominent feature of human nature is the resistance to growth. At each stage of our evolution lurks the temptation of complacency with current achievements (-> see Comfort Zone ). And if we don't move forward we end up moving backwards. This phenomenon is the source of countless mental, emotional or physical dysfunctions. Personal growth is a never-ending road.

- People evolve in spite of their habits and despite the sensation that so many books, seminars and experiences seem to produce few changes in behaviour. The "lessons" accumulate up to a breakthrough point. The Peter-Pan-syndrome is balanced out by man's enormous desire to evolve.

- Learning = change in behaviour. Without new behaviour, learnings remain theoretical and incomplete.

- We are free to choose our timing. Learning can’t be forced upon anyone. You may only arouse interest and facilitate a learning framework.

Key points for personal growth

1. Get to the root of behaviours: we can learn techniques which may be useful, but they invariably need the support of the appropriate awareness. Lessons are only learnt when they connect with our deeper motivation. (-> click on drawing for more details).

2. Check the level of commitment: the best personal growth or training methods are useless without demand. First make sure there is a real need for change. We can help clarify or express this need, but we can never substitute it.

3. The foundation of any evolution is moving out of the Comfort Zone. There is no learning without risk-taking. Those who understand this regard obstacles as stepping stones. Effective training takes us away from the known and gives us the opportunity to try out new behaviour. That is where methodology becomes important: books and cognitive teaching hardly project us onto a learning curve. At Altoren we use a refined version of experiential education.

4. Supporting strengths instead of fighting weaknesses: find out what works and enhance it instead of focusing on what does not work.

5. Balance between levels of awareness: many of our problems derive from the tendency to develop one level more than another. The best learning methods involve various levels simultaneously.

6. Deep impact awareness enhancement experiences are essential eye-openers. Group dynamics offer an ideal framework to produce those intense moments.

7. Growth is a Process, not an Event: in a world of instant access and consumption it may be hard to accept that some things take time. Great revelations do not complete the personal growth process. New awareness needs to be translated into day-to-day actions and anchored as new habits. Our daily work is the best training ground for personal growth.

8. Balancing action with pause: neglecting our natural rhythms may be the biggest disease of our time. Phases of activity need to alternate with moments of inactivity and inner reflection. It is like the balance between breathing in and out. Most people need to learn how to pause, listen and create that inspiring empty space inside, where the energy for renewed activity is to be found.

Training themes

- Self-knowledge
- Management skills
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Charisma & self-esteem
- Handling change
- Focus and vision
- Effective communication
- Taking care of yourself (as an
  executive)

- Participative decision making
- Recently appointed managers
- Conflict resolution
- Effective appraisals & feedback
- Project management
- Group creativity
- Graphic facilitation
- Train the trainer
...