Chapter 1: Knowing Oneself

MEMORY VERSE:
“Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.”
Psalm 26:2

MEET YOUR TARGETS

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
 explain that knowing yourself can make you accept your strengths and
limitations and dealing with others better;
 share your unique characteristics, habits and experiences; and,
 start and maintain a journal.

VENTURE!
Coat of Arm
Instructions:
On a sheet of bond paper, use crayons to draw symbols that would best illustrate
your thoughts and feelings about who you are. Equally divide your bond paper into
six square and draw symbols in each with the given statement: 1) What best
describe your name? 2).Describe at least your 5 of your distinct characters please
include the negative one. 3) What challenge you find it difficult to overcome? 4)
Describe your family. 5) How do your friends treat you? 6) What animal you would
like to be? Then answer the questions below.

1. What symbols, figures, or drawings best illustrate who you are?

Why?
2. What do you think have influenced such traits or characteristics?
3. Write your answer on your journal.

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 CHAT WITH THE EXPERT
Definition of Personal Development

Personal development is a course offered to Senior High School as a response to the

need for an enrichment material for a journey toward self-discovery and self-acceptance. It
is essential to the lives of senior high school students who are generally adolescents.
During adolescent stage if human development, the individual finds himself or herself at a
vulnerable spot, which requires great patience in order for him or her to understand the
movement and changes happening inside and outside a person.
Furthermore, Zora Hereford in her book, 9 Essential Life Skills-A Guide for Personal
Development and Self Realization, defined personal development as the “the process of
striving to be the best you can be in order to reach and realize your full potential. It is a
journey to self-discovery, self-improvement, and self-realization.
The term “adolescence” came from the Latin term adolescere which means “grow.”
G. Stanley Hall (1844-1924), the Father of Adolescence who coined the term
“adolescence,” defined it as “the period of storm and stress of human life.” According to
Hall, “this period is characterized by a teenager’s conflict with parents, mood disruptions,
and engagement in risky behaviour” (Hall, n.d).
Adolescence implies a stage of extreme transformation and growth in an individual
which encompass various aspects of development such as physical, mental, social, and
emotional (Adolescence, n.d). A drastic shift from childhood to adulthood, adolescence is
a period of numerous dramatic changes in the areas of psychological, behavioural,
intellectual, social and personality development. Puberty signals the beginning of
adolescence. The whole period of adolescence may be roughly divided into three stages,
such as the early adolescence (approximately 11-14 years of age), middle adolescence
(approximately 15-17 years of age), and late adolescence (approximately 18-21 years of
age) (Stages of adolescent development,” n.d).
Adolescence is the transition period between childhood and early adulthood.
Although scientists and psychologists may slightly differ in pegging the exact age of
adolescence, it is widely believed to be between ages 11 or 12, and lasting to about 18
years of age (Feist and Rosenberg 2012).
In the Philippine context, authors Corpuz, Lucas, Borabo, and Lucido (2010) defined
the three stages of adolescents as:
 Early adolescence- between 10 and 13 years of age
 Middle adolescents- between 14 and 16 years of age
 Late adolescents- between 17 and 20 years of age

Adolescence starts with the biological changes called puberty. The physical body
undergoes growth spurts as this time, for both male and female, leading toward physical
maturity.
Biological changes bring about cognitive (thinking and reasoning) and affective
(feelings and emotions) changes.

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 APPLY THE CONCEPTS
Activity # 1: Matching Type

Colum A Column B
________1. An enrichment material for a journey toward a. G. Stanley Hall
self-discovery and self-acceptance. b. Late Adolescence
________2. Father of Adolescence c. Middle Adolescence
________3. A drastic shift from childhood to adulthood d. PerDev
________4. Adolescence starts with the biological changes e. Puberty
called _____________. f. Adolescence
________5. Between 14 and 16 years of age

CHAT WITH THE EXPERT

Self is the union of elements, namely: body, thoughts, feelings or emotions, and sensations that
constitute the individuality and identity of a person.

Body constitutes your physical attributes, your health, and your posture and poise.
Thoughts, the way you think, and how you perceive things around you affect how
you feel about them and bring about sensations.
Emotions and Sensations that you experience prompt you to act and behave the
way you do.

The union of these elements makes up your character or personality and essentially
distinguishes you from others.

Self-actualization refers to the achievement of your potential through creativity, independence,

and an understanding of the real world.

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 APPLY THE CONCEPTS
Activity # 2: Physical Heritage
Encircle the letter of the correct answer:
1. “No two individuals are exactly alike” means ___________.
a. Twins have the same characteristics
b. You may have the same qualities as your brother; but there are certain things that
only you or he can do
c. Because your characteristics are similar to your father’s, you can do what he can
exactly do
d. Your mother has fair skin complexion, and so you inherited this physical
characteristic
2. The following are elements of self except__________.
a. Sensations b. emotions c. curiosity d. body
3. Physical attributes and the psychological makeup of a person are due to ________.
A. Environmental Factors B. Heredity
a. Only letter A is correct. c. Either A or B is correct.
b. Only letter B is correct. d. Both letters A and B are correct.
4. Self-actualization means_________.
a. Your tendency to do or perform what you are capable of becoming
b. Your ability to understand yourself
c. Your capacity to find solutions to your problems
d. Your point of view about certain situations in life
5. Which is not a characteristic of a self-actualized person?
a. Has a realistic perception of self and others
b. Open-minded
c. Concerned about helping others
d. Pessimistic

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 CHAT WITH THE EXPERT
Identifying Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Being aware of how you look, think, feel, and act helps you to know more about yourself.

 In knowing your strengths, you are more empowered to do developmental tasks. These tasks
include your capacity to establish nature relationships with others, emotional independence,
and your ability to demonstrate responsible behaviours. Also, you are equipped with skills
essential in making wise decisions in life; you are able to analyse complex situations logically,
and sensibly.
 Determining your weaknesses gives you the opportunity to know your limitations or
boundaries. Becoming more aware of your weaknesses is not the end goal of self-
development; rather, it is its starting point. You must find ways to enhance your capabilities.

APPLY THE CONCEPTS

Activity # 3: My Strength and My Weaknesses
Encircle the letter of the correct answer:
1. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a teenager who is aware of his or her
strengths?
a. Shy c. Dependable
b. Emotionally mature d. Competent
2. By knowing yourself more, you____________________.
a. Can better cope with the demands of life
b. Find it more difficult to change your habits
c. May be influenced by your peers
d. Tend to easily give up
3. By identifying your weaknesses____________________.
A. You are more equipped with finding solutions to your problems.
B. You become more capable of actualizing your potentials to the fullest.
C. You can find ways to further improve your personality.
a. Only statements A and B are correct.
b. Either statement B or C is correct.
c. All statements are incorrect.
d. All statements are correct.
4. Which statement is not true about becoming more aware of oneself?
a. You become more appreciative of yourself.

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 b. You value relationships with others.
c. You become dependent to others.
d. You learn that respect to self and others is important.
5. You may further develop your knowledge and skills through_________.
a. Effective time management
b. Stress management programs
c. Effective study habits
d. All of the above

CHAT WITH THE EXPERT

The Importance of Oneself
 Self-awareness starts with assessing yourself.
 Introspection or your ability to reflect and think about your own thoughts, feelings, and
actions, is essential in understanding and improving yourself. But aside from your self-
assessment, you have to listen and accept positively feedback you get from others, as well
as their opinion to you. Listening to the feedback of others is important because it allows
you to validate your perceptions of who you are. Thus, you have to be smart to determine
the accuracy of the feedback that you receive from others.

By becoming aware of yourself, you are more equipped to accept yourself and be more open for
self-improvement.
 Allows you to see your potentials.
 Helps you create your own individuality and promotes wiser decisions making imprinted
with critical issues in life.
 Boasts your confidence as your self-awareness increases so does your sense of security
because you trust yourself and you feel secure as to who you are. This in turn promotes
your capacity to establish healthy relationships with others.
 Gives you a clearer direction in achieving your goals in life.

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 APPLY THE CONCEPTS
ACTIVITY # 4: Identifying Strength & Weaknesses

1. Assessing oneself includes________________.

A. Identifying your strength and weaknesses
B. Finding way to overcome your weaknesses
a. Only the second statement is correct. c. Both statements are false.
b. The first statement is incorrect. d. Both statements are correct.
2. Which is not true about personal observation about yourself?
a. You need to pause for a while.
b. You need to think of how others see you.
c. You have to reflect in your thoughts and feelings.
d. You should examine the decisions you make.
3. Which statement is incorrect about writing your thoughts and feelings in your journal?
a. You can express your worries or concerns in your journal.
b. Keeping a journal promotes socialization.
c. Writing entries in your journal encourages introspection.
d. A journal allows you to release both positive and negative feelings.
4. Listening to the feedback of others is important because___________.
a. It allows you to evaluate perception about yourself.
b. Their ideas are better than yours
c. You cannot trust your own judgement about yourself.
d. It is difficult to describe who you really are
5. Negative criticisms are helpful if you________________. Accept them constructively
a. Consult your guidance counsellor or a trusted friend about them.
b. Become smart in identifying the validity of such criticisms
c. All of the above

MVCA BOOSTERS

A noble character is earned by individual effort

through the merits and grace o with self. Christ. God gives
the talents, the powers of the mind; we form the character.
It is formed by hard, stern battles with self. Conflict after
conflict must be waged against hereditary tendencies. We
shall have to criticize ourselves closely, and allow not one
unfavorable trait to remain uncorrected. (Ellen White,
2002)
How does God work in our weaknesses?
2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

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 CHAPTER REVIEW

 Self is the union of elements, namely; body thoughts, feelings or emotions, and
sensation that constitute the individuality and identity of a person.
 Self-awareness allows you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, which empower
you to actualize your potentials to the fullest and to value yourself more, thus helping
you reach your goals.
 Self-awareness is attained through self-assessment which composed of personal
observations and self-reflections.
 Listening to feedback is important because it allows you to validate your perceptions of
who you are.

PERFORMANCE TASK

You make a tool box out of a hard paper and make it neat and clean. Cut pictures of
different tolls you need in your journey to a life you want. In a sheet of clean bond paper list
down the tools and write down the uses of each tool. Make sure that the tools can really help
you in your journey in life.

REFERENCES

Bible King James Version

White, E. G. (2002). Messages to Young People, Philippine Publishing House, p.99
Cleofe, M. P. (2016). DIWA Senior High School Series: Personal Developmet Module. Legaspi
Village, Makati, Philippines: Diwa Learning Systems Inc, 1-9

-END OF CHAPTER 1-

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