Personal Development & Psychology in Prague

We are constantly encouraged to improve ourselves: develop better social skills, become healthier and more attractive, earn more money, build better habits, become more productive, and find greater fulfilment.
In principle, trying to improve our lives seems like a good thing. And often it is. Learning new skills, changing unhelpful habits, or working towards meaningful goals can make our lives substantially better.

But there is an interesting paradox. Some prominent people in the self-improvement industry have reflected on ways self-improvement can become counterproductive. At the same time, some consumers of self-improvement content report that trying to improve themselves has actually made aspects of their lives worse.

For example, self-improvement might contribute to constant dissatisfaction, excessive self-monitoring, unrealistic expectations, perfectionism, or spending so much time trying to improve our lives that we forget to actually live them.

So, when does self-improvement help us—and when might it become self-defeating?

In this discussion, we'll explore questions such as:

1. What do we mean by self-improvement?
2. When does trying to improve ourselves actually make our lives better?
3. When can self-improvement become counterproductive or self-defeating?
4. Does the self-help industry encourage useful self-improvement, excessive self-improvement—or both?
5. What responsibility do we have as consumers of self-improvement advice?
6. How can we know when to keep improving and when something is already “good enough”?

To get the discussion started, I'll bring a few examples from self-improvement writers and from people describing their own experiences with self-improvement online.

No preparation is required. Come ready to share ideas, experiences, and perspectives.

We will also have time to talk about ourselves and brainstorm ideas for future meetups.

See you soon.

Ángel

We are constantly making decisions about what to do next with our lives and how to acquire valuable knowledge and skills.

Should I meditate? How should I train at the gym? What is the best way to learn a new language? Should I quit my job and follow my passion? How can I become more resilient? Should I stop caring so much about what other people think of me?

There are many places we can look for answers: our friends, relatives, and acquaintances; scientific research; experts and influencers; and our own experiences. But none of these sources is perfect. What works for one person might not work for another, and what works in one context might not work in another.

In this practical workshop, we will explore how to become better at learning from others and from ourselves. We will discuss the strengths and limitations of different sources of information, look at examples from psychological research, try a simple well-being intervention, and learn how we can use observation, measurement, reflection, and self-experimentation to discover what works for us.

Doors open at 6:30 pm. The workshop starts at 7:00 pm.

No previous knowledge of psychology or research methods is required—just curiosity and a willingness to participate and discuss ideas with others.

See you there!

Ángel