Find out more about how the life choices course has been helping transform journeys…
Konnects Life Choices is a CBT based employability course created for people who are far from the job market and classified as long term unemployed or economically inactive and could be described as ‘not flourishing in life’. The course was created recognising that what holds many people back is an absence of or very low sense of self-worth, confidence, and motivation, just as much, if not more than a good CV and interview skills etc.
The hardest part about making change is first making the decision to change; a decision you are led to from the suffering, pain, hurt, unforgiveness and lack of care for oneself. We have a choice right there to either continue receiving everything the world throws at us letting it destroy us, or we can step into the challenge of understanding our own self-worth and value, and that we can overcome these barriers and make a long-lasting change in our lives.
In May 2021 four strangers entered onto the Konnects Life Choices Course full of anxiety and fear; six weeks later they left with aspirations and as friends. These participants went on a journey together; getting past the barriers and sticking points in their lives, building positive self-belief and confidence in each other as well as in themselves.
Delivery was a mixture of group discussion, individual journal work and interactive sessions. Lunch was provided as was support towards meeting the costs of transport and childcare.
The group were encouraged to share only what they felt comfortable to share and to act with kindness. They learnt and supported each other with the understanding that we cannot change the past or how people treat us, but we can change our present and our future to make it a happier and healthier one, whilst understanding how to take control of our life so we can be the best version of ourselves. Together they discovered their skills, strengths and passions and learnt the thinking skills they need to get motivated and go after their goals.
Self-esteem is the key building block for a flourishing life and each of the participants worked hard to make personal change in this area. As a result, we saw them blossom throughout the course and since leaving one participant now has a job which they never thought possible, and two others will return as peer mentors to support future participants as they take their first steps on the Konnects Life Choices journey.
Research has shown that when positive self-esteem is missing so is confidence in our abilities, leading to lack of motivation and aspiration. Positive evaluation of self-worth is the cornerstone in our life that we build from. It can enable us to develop self-confidence; to be confident in our natural abilities (strengths and skills) and become motivated to find a productive outlet (employment) for those abilities.