“The Handel Group has synthesized a valuable framework, the likes of which are very hard to find at even the largest and most diverse universities. Their methodology teaches students how to take the same analytic skills they use to solve engineering problems and apply them to the rest of their life, to define and shape a career, a relationship, a family, and a community. The approach is hands-on; life coaching is like training you to build a muscle to push through your boundaries and conquer your fears, similar to how a personal trainer works with you to define and achieve your goals. I believe that The Handel Group’s program is an important part of the social education that’s missing from MIT’s preparation of tomorrow’s leaders.”
Anthony Accardi Ph.D. Electrical Engineering“When I first started the class, I was a wreck. I was wasting my life away online. I was struggling to complete my thesis. I was on autopilot with my girlfriend. I had no job prospects. Through the structure and the encouragement that Lauren and Gaby provided, I was able to pick myself up out of that mess. Within a span of about a year, I was able to graduate, start a new career way more interesting than the one I left, and most importantly, get engaged to my girlfriend of four years. The class for me really boiled down to 1) helping me to realize that it is normal to hate yourself when you’re doing something counterproductive, and that the only way out of that cycle is to stop the self-loathing, 2) deciphering the lies that I told myself and others about things, and becoming more truthful in my everyday life, leading to happiness, and 3) creating a structure to help me implement these changes in my everyday life. I’m truly thankful for everything that Lauren and Gaby have done for me. They’ve given me tools for happiness that I can bring with me.”
Graduate Student MIT, Ph.D. Chemical Engineering“Before taking LEL, I always considered myself to tell the truth. I hated lying to people, and prided myself in my ability to be honest. What this class did for me was show me that it is just as important to be honest with *yourself* as it is to other people. This may seem like a relatively simple concept, but for me it was really a breakthrough. I have been struggling with an eating disorder for 4 years, and this idea of personal integrity, and holding myself to the same standards I hold other people, has helped me break that vicious cycle. Being able to form a really inspiring vision of what I would like to have happen in my life, and then make promises to myself that will help me towards that goal, have allowed me to gain back control of my life. I now feel like I am steering the ship, instead of just being along for the ride. The feeling is incredibly empowering, and makes me know that I truly can be active in planning out my life.”
Ellen Sojka Bachelor of Science – Chemical Engineering“I had the most growth I had ever had in my life in my mid-twenties….or so I thought. I got a job forcing me to move out of my comfort zone, I stood up for myself, and thought I didn’t recognize the old mousy me from my youth. I finished graduate school and thought….I have arrived. I have accomplished things and I feel pretty good. The key words were pretty good….I also felt something missing. I knew I was standing in my own way, I was aware that I wasn’t truly happy about life all around but figured, hey, I’m not miserable so life must be good.
Then I read the course description for Designing Your Life! This is what I have been missing….I haven’t been dreaming. I have been going through the motions of semi-responsible adulthood. I was craving something that would give me the push I needed to find happiness. That is how I would describe this course in one word — push! This class pushes you to grow beyond where you thought you could go. I have been forever in my own way and I have been able to get over hurdles that I just didn’t think were possible. I feel refreshed and energized. It is exhausting, and make no mistake it is work….but it is an amazing gift to move beyond something that was blocking you. It teaches self-awareness, focus, and drive. Accountability is huge, it is so easy for us to allow ourselves to put something of and make excuses for it.
What’s more is I have taken control of my life. I am facing fears that have held me back and conversations that I didn’t think I would ever have. It is liberating and I feel the growth. I took for granted that people knew how important they were to me, they didn’t because I never told them. One of my biggest fears was vulnerability, because I believed it made me weak. My power is in my vulnerability, to let those people know who we are and how we feel. What a fool I had been! Once I opened up, I found the world didn’t come crashing down — the people in my life were so touched to know they mean so much in my life.
So would I recommend someone to this class or coaching in general? Absolutely I would recommend it to everyone…..and have! People don’t do things because they are afraid or have notions they can’t. Psychology only goes so far, I can talk about issues till I am blue in the face but coaching forces action, and forces me to determine what the action is and to be accountable to myself for doing it. The realization is that the only person I disappoint when I don’t do something is me! I never dreamed before this class…..I do now!
I dream! I didn’t realize that I was not allowing myself to do this before because I just didn’t think the dreams were possible. Now? I think about what I want and listen to it and then plan to attack it. I listen to myself…when I start feeling the urge to hide from something, I wonder what this does to help me towards my dreams and then I force myself to do the opposite. I go towards it. And you know what? It’s better than the hiding! The fear does not control me. Our power is in our action not our reaction.”
Aimee Grandmaison MIT StaffI wanted to write you a brief note to let you know that I found the Handel Group DYL class offered at Edgerton House fantastic! It is SUCH a good and important course. Where else does one learn to live a constructive, self-disciplined life of playing big rather than living the mundane small version of oneself?
Britt Aylor Consultant at Strategy Management ConsultancyRUTGERS STUDENTS COMMENTS
“Thanks for the great presentation, you really helped me organize my thoughts and focus more on change.”
“I would also like to personally express my gratitude for your organization presenting at my school. Your presentation was interesting, helpful, and will benefit the lives of the students as we move forward with our careers and other personal aspirations.”
“Your presentations were extremely motivating. They put many things into perspective for me.”
“I enjoyed your lecture and appreciate being able to participate in this assignment and having the platform to analyze my life goals.”
“Thank you for the great lecture! One of the best of the year!”
PROFESSOR TESTIMONIALS
“An exciting, eye-opening, and thoroughly useful inquiry into what it takes to live an extraordinary life, on your own terms.”
David A. Mindell, PH.D Dibner Professor of the History of Engineering and Manufacturing, MIT“Nothing is more important for college students than figuring out what kind of lives they want to lead. Sadly, many students rarely devote serious effort to this problem. And when they do give it a try, they often do not know how to do it right. They fail to realize that developing a great life requires skill. Fortunately, skills can be taught. The Handel Group offers training in this area that can prove invaluable for many students as they look forward to the future.”
Dr. Peter StoneAssistant Professor of Political Science, Stanford University
MIT SLOAN FELLOWS COMMENTS
“Few things are more important in any organization today than integrity and candor. These also figure amongst the hardest things to nurture; many great firms have gone down the drain because their dysfunctional work practices precluded them from facing the hard facts. The Handel Group does an amazing job at putting these issues in the spotlight and getting individuals to own up to the responsibility of authoring their future, empowering them not only to achieve a successful career but also a more rewarding life.”
Isaac de la Peña Senior Technology Manager at Nokia / Sloan Fellow, MIT School of Management“The Sloan Fellows program is about personal growth and development as well as the academics…I haven’t experienced anything else at MIT that addresses growth in the same way that the Handel Group class does.”
“I gained insight into my own life choices and challenges. A win-win for sure.”
“My experience has been equally remarkable. Deep insights, targeted exercises, and a lot of open discussion have made my Sloan Fellows experience all the more valuable, since it has given me time to focus and reflect on who I am and what I want.”
“This is an experience that demands a lot of reflection on how you live your life focusing specifically on personal integrity, which is intrinsic to the values of the Sloan Fellows program.”
“They are fantastic! I would say that their class has been one of the highlights of my Sloan year.”