When organizing recruitment for a training, we often encounter the fact that many find it difficult to decide on participation, not due to low awareness of a specific training, but due to the fact that a person has certain doubts and concerns about the phenomenon itself " training". That is why there was a need to write some kind of guide to help those wishing to navigate this method of practical psychology. READ, THINK AND MAKE A DECISION! Today, it is perhaps difficult to find a person who has not heard about trainings. And the information that a person receives from various sources is often contradictory: some enthusiastically share the classes they have completed, claiming that they have completely changed their lives for the better, others, on the contrary, believe that they wasted time and money, and still others even consider the trainings to be cults or unprincipled extortion of money. Well, let's not challenge people's opinions, but outline the key points that will help a reflective person make a decision about the main question - to go or not to go to psychological training. FIRST KEY POINT. Definition of the concept “training” Let us note that there is no generally accepted definition of the word “training”, but it makes sense for those choosing training to get acquainted with some interpretations in order to have an idea of ​​the basic concept of the title question. The term “training” comes from the English “training” and has a number of meanings: preparation, training, training, etc. In domestic psychology, training most often refers to one of the leading active teaching methods, aimed at increasing the general, cognitive and professional competence of a person, including the development of skills of self-knowledge, self-regulation, communication, interpersonal and intergroup interaction, professional skills, etc. SECOND KEY MOMENT. 5 myths about trainings The history of trainings goes back a hundred years. And during this time, established misconceptions and myths about training have formed. Let's consider those that are considered the main ones at this time. Myth 1. Trainings are a sect. In fact. If we recall the well-known characteristics of a sect, then, first of all, a sect is a closed organization (usually of a religious nature), most often with a pronounced leadership (guru), covering people who are sometimes quite different in some criteria (for example, age, social status and etc.). The training is an open system, which can be joined by any person who is the target audience of the training (if the training is designed for adults, then it is clear that a teenager has nothing to do there). The training is conducted by a person (or several) who has the right to do so, confirmed by a document on education, and not just leadership potential. The sect, using certain methods of influence (primarily manipulative), lays claim to significant financial and property benefits of the participants. Training does not pretend to be about a person’s property and his financial capital; on the contrary, it often provides tools for increasing his well-being. In a sect there is always some kind of secret (intimate) knowledge that is available (and even then incomplete) only to a select few, initiates, to one degree or another close to the leader-guru. At the training, each person receives all the information on the topic of the training, regardless of how familiar the training participant is with the leader. If a person gets into a sect, then it is very difficult for him to leave it, because There is not only dependence on the guru, but also quite strong pressure from other adherents. You can complete the training at any time - there is no obligation to attend the training, especially against your own will. After completing the training, dependence on the trainer does not arise (even if you strive for it for some reason, the trainer will help you see this problem and advise you how to solve it). Both during the training and after completing the entire training, a person is free in hisactions: it is his choice what and how he will do now and in the future. Myth 2. Personal growth training is a kind of financial pyramid or network marketing. In fact. In financial pyramids (or network marketing), the participant receives a monetary reward for attracting new clients. The motivation in this case: “The more people I refer, the more money I will earn.” By inviting people to the training, a person can receive a certain discount (the so-called “friendly discount”, which is most often 5-10% of the cost of the training), but the motivation is different: “I have changed myself and I want the people around me to develop too.” In the first case, a person works, first of all, to improve his well-being, in the second, to increase the quantity and/or improve the quality of certain skills of people from his environment. In other words, the participant wants “there are more of us,” “so that we are more useful to each other and understand each other better.” It is worth noting that the training completed helps the participants realize their responsibility not only for themselves, but also for other people. Therefore, the person offering the training addresses those people who meet one of the most important criteria for the target audience of the training - the prospective participant must have appropriate personal maturity. Myth 3. Training is a waste of money and time. In fact. Amateurs and non-professionals, unfortunately, are found in various fields of activity and training is no exception. But we are talking to you about trainings, initially assuming that they are conducted by competent specialists who have knowledge and experience in this field. When developing a training (or training program), they assume its target audience, purpose, result and methods. We know that training is a group form of work. In the training, on the one hand, there is a leader (trainer), on the other, a group consisting of specific participants. In order to achieve the goals of the training and achieve certain results, it is necessary to move towards both sides. The trainer bears his share of responsibility for the effectiveness of the training - he adapts the material to the group and in the most optimal mode for it (taking into account such indicators as group dynamics, the intellectual level of the group, the average pace progress in studying the topic, etc.) conducts classes. The group participants, for their part, bear their share of responsibility - they perceive information, participate in exercises, discussions, do homework (this happens), etc. And if both parties are determined and work to ensure that the training is effective, then it That's what it becomes. The coach, obviously, is set up and working. But if someone from the group, for various reasons, avoids their work, their responsibility (“does not work out their money and time”), then the output will have corresponding results. No one will work for the participant in the training - neither the trainer nor others group members. And that’s why some people, after completing the training, give it a positive assessment, because... the participant benefits from the money and time invested in himself and worked, and someone will say that the training is a “waste exercise” because he will be a loser, because invested their money and time, but did not work it out. Most of the latter will continue to talk about the uselessness of trainings and treat with unjustified skepticism those who would like to participate in them (or are already participating) and who invite them to trainings. And one more fact - Trainings are often thought of as “empty” by those who have never been to them. Myth 4. Training can destroy my consciousness. In fact. Many have noticed that the abundance of quotes with the general meaning “if you want a new, better life, get up and start doing something new” is growing on the walls of social networks every day. But most of those who quote only quotes and limit themselves, remaining in their comfort zone (i.e., existing at the level of consciousness that shapes their life today). To achieve new horizons, prospects, and other life results, it is necessary to go beyond the comfort zone - to find out and testnew. It’s like in school - moving to another class means a change, an expansion of the attitudes of consciousness, otherwise none of us would have graduated from the first one. In other words, changing the attitudes of consciousness, acquiring new experience is a mandatory component of GOOD training. As for destruction specifically - and we are talking , I remind you that good training conducted by a professional is not the purpose of the training. The training assumes “environmental friendliness”. That is, the impact of the training preserves the internal foundations of the individual - self-esteem, self-respect. Another thing is that they become more conscious, reasonable, corresponding to the real state of affairs. It happens that this process of perceiving yourself as you really are can be difficult and stressful. But change - real change - is often alarming at first and can be difficult. And if we add to this the myths about training as a method of “zombification”, “brainwashing” and other horror stories, then for an overly wary person who perceives any new opportunities through the filter of fear , any training will look like a threat. Viktor Frankl, an Austrian psychiatrist, psychologist and neurologist, a former prisoner of a Nazi concentration camp, wrote in his work “Man’s Search for Meaning”: “Everything can be taken away from a person, except for one thing: the last particle of human freedom - freedom choose your own attitude in any given conditions, choose your own path.” So: training is not a concentration camp. No one will force him to change his mental attitudes against a person’s will. What to do if you want to go to training, but are still afraid? You can meet the trainer, meet training graduates, look at the program, website, page on social networks, read reviews. Ask about the level of severity of the training. The International Association of Personal Development Professionals notes 3 levels of severity. Soft - soft, gentle, maximally environmentally friendly training. Medium - balanced training, designed for a mass audience and involving a moderate load. Hard - designed for a trained audience. It is possible to use hard and provocative techniques. If you have a gentle, vulnerable soul, then you need soft trainings. If you feel your inner strength, you are self-confident and critical enough, then you have a direct path to hard training (for example, definitely here include trainings conducted according to the American Lifespring method, although in reality they may be called differently). If you are not very sensitive, but also do not consider yourself to be a very strong person, then choose trainings of low or medium severity. If this does not help, then just don’t go to the training.* The film trainings of the psychological training studio “Integra” are within the boundaries of low and medium severity. During the classes, participants discuss and analyze video material and exercises, but do not provide their specific life situations for consideration. Film training in this regard is a humane and environmentally friendly way of self-knowledge. Myth 5. Trainings are addictive. In fact. During a good training, a special atmosphere develops - an atmosphere of psychological safety, goodwill, freedom to express one’s thoughts and feelings. Each participant receives a lot of sincere, interested attention from other members of the group. Because of this, at a certain stage of the work of the training group, its participants begin to be connected by relationships of trust and mutual assistance, and value unity. Outside of training, a person cannot always be in such an atmosphere of support, acceptance, freedom, and sincerity. And therefore, the question of training addiction may become relevant for some people. But one of the main tasks of a training participant is the task of transferring and adapting the acquired experience and skills into everyday life. And this transfer, this desire for real changes makes a person’s post-training life more interesting, eventful, and complete. In other words, graduates who have benefited from the training are happy to go toindependent swimming, truly acquiring a more diverse, vibrant, active life. And they don’t have the impulse to immediately run to another training. For those who mostly “sat out” the training and were passive, it is more difficult to transfer the experience gained into everyday life, so they often have the illusion that only during the training is life exciting and only in training can you be yourself, but life remains boring. And such a person can escape from ordinary life into a new training, without ever applying the acquired tools in real affairs. It is worth noting that during the training, the facilitator, anticipating this situation for a particular participant, helps him to realize the emerging dependence and jointly find ways to solve this problem . The professionalism of a trainer is determined, among other things, by how accurately throughout the training he monitors the participant’s ability and readiness to transfer the acquired tools into the post-training period. Please note: psychologists advise training no more than once every three months. If the training is prolonged (long-term, 1-3 months), then after it, as a means of preventing addiction, it is recommended to attend the next training no earlier than a month or two later. THIRD KEY POINT. 5 criteria for choosing a training Let us clarify once again that in our manual we clarify issues related to psychological training. Trainings focused on qualitatively new, positive changes in a healthy person, primarily in the personal aspect.1. When choosing psychological training (rather than sales training, for example), you should first of all pay attention to the trainer: his worldview, professionalism and personal component. You must first ask yourself the question - who is this person: what is his education, social status, job, income, what does he “breathe”, what else interests him besides conducting trainings. When you give yourself more or less clear answers to these questions, then you can move on to the next choice. But why is the personality of the coach so important? You know that the main tools of a coach are his knowledge, skills, values, and personal characteristics. After all, this is what determines his life “here and now” - the state in which he is. This is what will form the invisible psychological basis of the classes. If you are satisfied with the condition of the trainer, then most likely you will be satisfied with the training. And if not, then why go and learn from a person whose condition you don’t like? A coach should instill in you, first of all, a feeling of trust and acceptance. There are no bad teachers, no bad students, there are only people who are suitable or not for each other. 2. The next important factor when choosing a training is its formal side: basic information about the training. In general, it should be “transparent” – intelligible and understandable. Information about the training should include: title, purpose, expected result and methods of work. The presence of the program is welcome. If these components are interconnected, then this may indicate that the coach knows what he will talk about. Here it is worth paying attention to the description of the target audience (for whom the training is intended) and determine whether you belong to the target audience of this training.* Integra film trainings have both general provisions (target target, goal, result, methods) and their own specifics, which is briefly presented before the specific training program.3. It is worth paying attention to the feedback from training graduates. We recommend that you not only read them, but also see if they are reviews from real people (for example, whether you can visit their pages on social networks). Feedback from people close to us in spirit, worldview, level of education, character type and emotionality can usually be more informative.4. Another plus factor is a guest meeting or introductory session (demo training). This meeting can help not only get to know the trainer better, his worldview, and methods of work, but also give you a real idea of ​​what will roughly happen during the training. And what is no less!