Amanda Powell

AshIord University
EXP105
Week 5
TransIormational Change
There are Iour stages oI the transIormational learning cycle. One stage is selI awareness.
SelI awareness is the perception oI one`s own personality. Personality includes one`s strengths,
weaknesses, thoughts, belieIs, motivations and emotions. SelI Awareness helps one to
understand other people. It allows you to understand how your attitude and responses are
perceived by others. A Iamily relationship is the second stage. Family relationships are
determined by how close one is to his or her Iamily. A strong Iamily relationship typically means
one has a lot oI support Irom home base. Work relationships work the same way. A work
relationship is determined by one`s closeness to his or her coworkers. LiIe goals are the Iinal
stage in the transIormational learning cycle. LiIe goals are what one sets Ior himselI or herselI to
be met in their liIetime. It is a goal that is meaningIul to that particular person. When a liIe goal
is made the person typically does everything in their power to be successIul in reaching the liIe
goal.
The most important transIormational learning experience I have had in my liIetime began
when I was 10 years old and I believe it is still taking place to this day. When I was 10 years old
my mother began getting sick. She would miss work all week and then go out and party all
weekend. This happened every week like clockwork until her boss Iound out and she was Iired
Irom the company. This was the reason Ior her Iirst stint in Tuckers, a mental institution here in
Richmond, Va. From the time I was 10 until about the time I turned 16, my mother was in and
out oI Tuckers a total oI 34 times. For those 6 years, all I heard was that I was the worst mistake
oI her liIe and that she wished she never had me. All I ever did Ior her was try to help. I missed
school several times to stay home and take care oI her and I practically raised my little sister.
When I turned 16, my mom and sister moved in with my grandmother and I moved in with
Iriends oI mine. For 2 years I bounced Irom Iriend`s house to Iriend`s house trying not to over
stay my welcome while trying to get on my own two Ieet. At 18, I moved into a place on my
own and have been doing well ever since (the past 2 years). Dealing with my mother taught me
to be strong but it also leIt me with several weaknesses. I suIIer Irom severe trust issues now and
I also suIIer Irom anxiety. I never want to be like her and sometimes I push myselI too Iar
because I am scared oI becoming her. I am working on Iacing my Iears and getting over my
problems. I am working on my degree, I work Iull time, and I have been in a successIul
relationship Ior the past year. Things are Iinally looking up Ior me. The one step I have yet to
accomplish is seeing and dealing with my Iamily again. I haven`t talked to any oI them in Iour
years. I guess I am just not ready to Iorgive and Iorget just yet.
Due to the experience mentioned above I believe that I have experienced selI
examination time and time again. I selI-examinate all the time to see iI I have grown and learned
Irom diIIerent parts oI the experience. I am sure that I will continue to do so in the Iuture as well.
I also Ieel that I have Iormulated a plan oI action. I got myselI away Irom the problem, set a goal
Ior the Iuture, and am currently working towards meeting that goal.