Don’t be afraid

to reject
the self-improvement
trend

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Let’s get started
with a warm-up
 Discuss the questions.

➔ Have you ever had a life coaching session? If yes, what was it
like? If not, would you like to try it?
➔ What’s your opinion about life/business coaching?
➔ How important to you is it to constantly develop yourself?

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Let’s learn some vocabulary
Complete the gaps with the words in the box to create some common pieces
of advice on self-improvement. [part 1/2]
aim broadens comfort
draw flow
fullest pursue take on skills
version

A.Let no one bring you down with negative views, you are who you are and only need to be a
better ............... of yourself.
B. Step out of your ............... zone and do something you’ve never done before.
C. You can never be too good at something so continue honing your ............... .
D.Life is an adventure so don’t be afraid to ............... your dreams.
E. Travel a lot as it widens horizons and ............... perspectives.

5
Complete the gaps with the words in the box to create some common pieces
of advice on self-improvement. [part 2/2]
aim broadens comfort
draw flow
fullest pursue take on skills
version
F. Set the mission statement for your life, one that will drive you to live your life to
the ............... .
G.Always ............... for the highest goals, the best results, the grandest vision.
H.Push your boundaries and ............... more than you can handle.
I. Not everything has to adhere to a plan all the time. Allow yourself to just go with
the ............... .
J. Reflect on everything that happens to you because that’s when you can ...............
lessons on what you can do better in the future.
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Let’s check your answers. [part 1/2]
aim broadens comfort
draw flow
fullest pursue take on skills
version

A.Let no one bring you down with negative views, you are who you are and only need to be a
version
better ........................ of yourself.
comfort
B. Step out of your ........................ zone and do something you’ve never done before.
skills
C. You can never be too good at something so continue honing your ................... .
pursue
D.Life is an adventure so don’t be afraid to .................. your dreams.
broadens
E. Travel a lot as it widens horizons and ...............……... perspectives.

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Let’s check your answers. [part2/2]
aim broadens comfort
draw flow
fullest pursue take on skills
version

F. Set the mission statement for your life, one that will drive you to live your life to
fullest.
the ..................
aim
G.Always ................... for the highest goals, the best results, the grandest vision.
take on more than you can handle.
H.Push your boundaries and .....................
I. Not everything has to adhere to a plan all the time. Allow yourself to just go with
the ...............flow
.
J. Reflect on everything that happens to you because that’s when you can ..................
draw
lessons on what you can do better in the future.
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Decide which three tips are the most useful and which three you think are the
least helpful. Be ready to justify your choices.

A. Let no one bring you down with negative views, you are who you are and only need to be
a better version of yourself.
B. Step out of your comfort zone and do something you’ve never done before.
C. You can never be too good at something so continue honing your skills.
D. Life is an adventure so don’t be afraid to pursue your dreams.
E. Travel a lot as it widens horizons and broadens perspectives.
F. Set the mission statement for your life, one that will drive you to live your life to the fullest.
G. Always aim for the highest goals, the best results, the grandest vision.
H. Push your boundaries and take on more than you can handle.
I. Not everything has to adhere to a plan all the time. Allow yourself to just go with the flow.
J. Reflect on everything that happens to you because that’s when you can draw lessons on what you can
do better in the future.

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In a moment, you’ll watch a video titled:

Resisting the self-improvement craze with

Svend Brinkmann
Before watching...
Look at the introduction to the video. Do you agree with what it says?

The pace of modern life is accelerating, and the self-help shelves are full of advice on how to
keep up. But the demands of life in the fast lane come at a price: anxiety, fatigue and
depression are at an all-time high. Leading Danish philosopher and psychologist, Svend
Brinkmann, argues that we must not be afraid to reject the self-help mantra. The secret to a
happier life lies not in finding your inner self, but in coming to terms with yourself to coexist
peacefully with others.

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 Watch the video and answer Yes, No or Don’t know to the questions below.

A. Does ideology of improving yourself make us feel

bad?

B. Does the idea of constant development affect people’s

psychological problems?

C. Is trust a precondition for being an ethical person?

D. Did the speaker come to the meeting on time?

E. Does the speaker believe that lifelong learning is

dangerous?

F. Did stoic authors write similar things as the self-help

writers of today?

G. Do stoic philosophers promote positive thinking?

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Let’s check your answers.

Yes
A.Does ideology of improving yourself make us feel bad?
Don’t know
B. Does the idea of constant development affect people’s psychological problems?
Yes
C. Is trust a precondition for being an ethical person?
Don’t know

D.Did the speaker come to the meeting on time?

Yes
E. Does the speaker believe that lifelong learning is dangerous?
Yes
F. Did stoic authors write similar things as the self-help writers of today?
No
G.Do stoic philosophers promote positive thinking?

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 Discuss the points related to coaching and self-improvement.

➔ What do you think about the culture of constant self-improvement? Do you think
it’s a positive or negative phenomenon?
➔ Are people so incompetent in their lives now that they need a coach throughout
their lives?
➔ What do you think about the idea that everyone should get in touch with a
life/business coach in order to be a better version of themselves?
➔ How can self-improvement change your life?
➔ Should this profession be regulated like lawyers, doctors or psychotherapists are?

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Thanks!