Towards Integrative Life Planning: Managing Personal and Organisational Change - Part 6 of 6

This article covers the last of the six critical tasks spelled out in terms of the Integrative Life Planning (ILP) approach. 

The first five tasks are seen to have a common denominator, which is change. 

It has been described how change impacts on both personal and organizational levels. Now, in describing the last task, our attention needs to shift to how we will go about managing personal transition and organizational change.

Towards Integrative Life Planning - Exploring Spirituality and Life Purpose - Part 5 of 6

It can be argued that the single most neglected issue in the context of personal development and career planning is spirituality. 

It is often regarded as a taboo discussion topic in many circles, including the workplace. If, however, wholeness and full personal integration is to be achieved, there is no choice but to explore the issue of spirituality and its impact on life purpose. 

Therefore, the purpose of the current article is to address briefly some of the associated elements, and to identify specific personal and societal challenges in this regard.

Before moving towards a discussion of the key issues, it is perhaps wise to proffer a definition for spirituality. It is commonly confused with religion. 

Religion usually refers to organized or structured aspects of faith, or that which we believe in. Concerning spirituality, there are numerous definitions found in the literature. 

From the perspective of Integrative Life Planning, however, spirituality is seen to refer to our core, which gives meaning to life; the centre of the person where meaning, life understanding, and self are generated; as well as the full integration of all of one’s life facets. 

Towards Integrative Life Planning - How to value diversity - Part 4 of 6

In the previous discussions on Integrative Life Planning, the first three critical life tasks were discussed. The current article will provide a brief overview of Critical Task 4: Valuing Pluralism and Inclusivity.

Up to this point, we have dealt with quite a few challenges to be met if growth and development is to be achieved in this ever-changing world. 

Yet another challenge we are faced with is the need to demonstrate an ability to deal constructively with differences existing between people. We may be forgiven for thinking this is a uniquely South African challenge, our culture being very diverse, but this is a worldwide phenomenon. 

By learning from the principles of Integrative Life Planning (ILP), we will be enabled to start on the journey towards valuing difference, and creating inclusive communities.

In terms of this fourth critical task of ILP, people need to be assisted in determining how they are different, and how they should go about adapting to these differences. 

Towards Integrative Life Planning: Weaving our lives into a meaningful whole - Part 3 of 6

In our previous article we discussed the need to align our work lives with a global perspective.

Continuing our discussion of the six critical tasks associated with the Integrative Life Planning (ILP) approach this article will address the challenge of holistic development, which should culminate in the living of an integrated life.

To achieve wholeness in our lives, we will be challenged to think about those areas contributing to our overall life planning. As was previously mentioned, there was a time where work was seen to be the central focus of people’s lives. 

With the changing world of work, the integration of our career development, transitions, cultural diversity, and social change, can be incorporated into a unified framework in terms of the ILP approach.

Towards Integrative Life Planning: Finding work that needs doing - Part 2 of 8

Our previous article introduced Integrative life planning as a model we can use to integrate all the conflicting roles, values and duties of life. Integrative Life Planning (ILP) with its characteristic six critical tasks were briefly mentioned. 

In the this  article, we will be looking at the first of the six critical tasks of ILP: Finding work that needs doing in a global context  

We would also like to challenge you to participate in an activity, which should help you understand the current critical task more clearly.

Towards Integrative Life Planning - Introduction to ILP Part 1 of 8

Have you ever wondered if it is possible to integrate the many, often conflicting elements of your life?

If so, then the following set of articles is for you.  Our series on integrative life planning covers a life planning model that should help you to answer some of the questions on how to integrate the various roles, responsibilities, and values of your life.  

Introduction to New Paradigm for Life Planning

The world (of work) known to us today is vastly different from the one our parents and their parents knew. In the course of the previous century, it was common practice to leave school, be trained in a certain discipline, find a job, and retire in the same company forty years later.