What's in a Seminar?

Deep within each of us is a set of assumptions we use to make sense of our experiences; these assumptions include beliefs about what exists, what does not exist, and why things happen. These assumptions might have originated from our parents, our religion, television, school or elsewhere. These assumptions influence how we look at the world, our reactions, our work, even our dreams for the future. They form the core of how we live.

People are often surprised to learn how unclear and inconsistent their assumptions about the world are—we can even hold contradictory assumptions. People are creatures of habit, and we often stick with our old ideas, even when we learn they may not be true. Holding untrue beliefs or making false assumptions can cause us a lot of pain, especially if those assumptions are about areas of our lives that affect our way of living, our money, our families or our happiness.

Different assumptions and beliefs naturally result in different ways of thinking. What is rational and what is nonsense, what is faith and what is fact are all based on what we assume to the true. How we think and learn flow from what we believe. A clear understanding of the world, then, will lead to a clearer way of thinking about that world.

The Insight Seminar focuses on developing critical reasoning skills in its participants. Conceptual thinking, logic, and the ability to think through a problem are all necessary not only in business, but in all aspects of a person's life.

Our beliefs and presuppositions also influence our view of time. Is time linear, cyclical, or can it be viewed in other ways? Do we assume that events are the result of natural cause and effect or that they are the result of invisible personalities or powers? Do our choices have impact on the world, or is everything predetermined? Our presuppositions on these issues determine what we believe we can do, what goals we set, and how concerned we are with the future.

The Insight Seminars teach people ways to approach time that allow them to organize and plan for the future. In order to succeed in life, we must have clear goals and a plan for achieving those goals. During the seminar, participants are given basic tools and ideas for setting short- and long-term goals, creating timetables, scheduling events, and managing their time wisely. Wasted time equals a life wasted—we do not want to see a single life wasted through poor planning.

Critical thinking and good time management will influence our behavior. During the seminars, our participants learn the value of thinking as individuals and taking personal responsibility. If the individuals of a group do not have the skills, motivation, or desire to reach their goals, how could the group ever hope to succeed? True success comes when each person knows his or her own goals, and is able to act to reach those goals, even when all alone.

Conversely, it is important to understand the consequences of one’s personal actions. Any time I act, I am responsible for the results –both good and bad. A group may share in the responsibility, but ultimately, my decisions are mine alone, and I must be willing to consider and accept the consequences of those actions.

Our understanding of the world will strongly influence beliefs about relationships with other people. Leaders are made, not born. In order to succeed, a person must be able to work with others to achieve their goals.

In the seminars, we discuss the characteristics that successful leaders need to bring other people on board to support their ideas. We examine the relevance of behavior, status, and good planning in winning the support of others, as well as the need to act responsibly and reliably when working in a group. Even if someone does not plan to be a leader, it is still important to understand how our actions, appearance, and behaviors can influence other people, both positively and negatively.

Ultimately, the goal of the seminar is to lead the participants to become self-motivated, assertive and ambitious rather than only temporarily energized. Too many "motivational" seminars are mere pep talks –exciting speeches and amusing activities that work for a few days and are then forgotten. Insight Seminars are designed to help participants acquire a long-term perspective, and to equip them with the tools they need to stick with their goals, even during periods of discouragement or frustration.

Success is never easy; true success takes careful thinking, planning, personal responsibility, and the aid of others. In our seminars, we strive to build a solid foundation for a lifetime of success. True motivation is the logical outcome of recognizing that success is a genuine possibility.