The WHOLE PERSON Concept

The Academy Group is committed to the "whole person" concept. This concept requires that you tap into all 4 parts of the human condition - the mind, the body, the heart & soul and the spirit - to nurture and develop it in positive ways, but also to help others do the same.

1) Mind - So often we fail to treat people like "people" and instead, we treat them more like "machines". This is a prevalent condition in the corporate world. In fact, it is absolutely ludicrous that in this day and age, you still find machines on the "asset" side of a company's balance sheet while people remain on the "liability" side of the balance sheet. The truth is that it is extremely imperative for your own growth that you focus on tapping into and building the minds of others.

The "whole person concept" demands that you seek to grow your own mind and tap into the minds of others. Also find out what other people are truly good at and then help them to cultivate that in an effort to create and distribute value to others in unique ways (paying it forward). In the mind lives your "true" gifts and talents and through the body you can bring these to life. Any limitations on this will limit your personal growth and the results you achieve.

2) Body - The body represents health - it is where we meet our physical needs. Taking good care of your body is crucial to your personal growth and success simply because we live in a physical world. Without a healthy body, one becomes lethargic, lazy and unmotivated. Those who put in place a strategic focus on health, work-life balance and the importance of a healthier lifestyle continue to see increases year after year in productivity, efficiency and overall morale. No matter what else is going on in the economy, when the needs of the body are met, increases in almost every area is automatic.

3) Heart & Soul - The heart & soul is where your true passion lives - it is where your innermost desires are born. Countless people go about their lives every day wishing for the moment when they will get the opportunity to truly do what they are passionate about. It does you no good to 'wait around' for the opportunity to come to you - go forth and create it. Too many times, companies and people forget to find out what really drives others. It is important to know what makes people get out of bed in the morning - what people would do whether they got paid or not.

Think about it - If money were no object, what would you be doing with your time? Are you doing that right now? The sad fact is that 99% of people do not spend the bulk of their time doing what they are truly passionate about - what they truly love to do. Companies focus even less on tapping into this part of a person. They seem to function on the premise that as long as their ends are achieved, all is good. All the while though, frustration, depression and ultimately turnover begins to plague that organization. In order to bring out the true greatness in others, focus on helping them to realize and develop their true passion. Passionate people always deliver better results. When you feel passionate about what you are doing, motivation, hope and empowerment all become second nature. This is a recipe for greatness. When you are able to match people's gifts and talents with what they are passionate about, the possibilities become limitless in the success you can achieve.

4) Spirit - In order to make significant strides in your personal growth and help others to grow, it is vital that you nurture and grow your spirit. The spirit is where your conscience lives - this is your inner compass. Your core values and beliefs are formed here. This is the helm from which you direct the other 3 quadrants. The spirit tells you whether or not what you are doing is right. It validates your choices - either they are aligned with your true beliefs or they are not. When you make choices that are directed by your spirit, the results you achieve will most certainly be greater by leaps and bounds.

Just to be clear, the spirit does not necessarily have anything to do with your "religious" beliefs. It is more about making choices that come from your inner blueprint - the mantra by which you live your life. The spirit is where you decipher whether or not - through your passion, your true gifts and your talents - you are truly creating and distributing "value" to others. The spirit is at the nucleus of body, mind and heart. Working together, they are more powerful than most can ever imagine.

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