It’s been rather tumultuous at work lately, so it was decided that we needed a personal development workshop to calm us down a bit.
Something about finding our sense of purpose.
Not everyone bought into this brilliant idea and many a meeting and letters to the director of our organisation later, we were put into two groups and sent to the training room to develop ourselves. For a whole day.
Internal politics aside, I wasn’t a happy camper. Not even close.
As I noted in an e-mail to my colleagues: “Personal development is just that…personal!”
Nothing helped my case.
“It’s compulsory,” we were told.
Well, since attendance was compulsory and paid for, I decided to embrace the experience with a new positive attitude.
“I can do anything I set my mind to,” I reminded myself. “Even a course I have no time for.”
That is until the first minute of the workshop when the facilitator asked us how we felt about being there. I heard my voice sounding very anxious reply “Anxious!”
What?
Where was that positive attitude I walked into the training room with?
Nowhere to be found because from this point, things just went from bad to worse.
Next we had to write down our goals in our workbooks.
Fine I thought. I can do that.
And then share it with a partner. ”Hell no,” I told my partner. ”This is personal.”
She was more than happy to chat about other things.
Then we had a double booking with the training room being needed for another workshop so had to move into a smaller venue.
Our personal development workshop just became even more personal and now I was feeling claustrophobic!
Sharing with the group became a stuttering, awkward experience for most people in the room.
Fortunately we had to break into smaller groups outside the small room a few times. I used the opportunities to escape.
To breathe.
Afterwards a few colleagues asked if I enjoyed the workshop.
“I’m not talking about it.” I said. “It’s personal.”
Not that it’s done. We still have another 1 day session coming up on Monday
Whats up- long time no see.
I still owe you an e-mail. Have been very busy with life and not work… 
Whenever you have time I look forward to hearing all about it. As long as you’re happy my friend…that’s what matters to me!