The Life Learning Model^TM 

"Who Am I, Why am I here? That is what we need to answer." George Harrison

The Life Learning Model^TM is so powerful as an organizing principle, that it is used as a tool in the creativity programs, workshops, coaching sessions and consulting work conducted by staff members of the Center for Creative Consciousness.

Understanding the Life Learning Model and the contrasts between creative and survival strategies can be extremely useful in our personal and professional lives, whenever we need to analyze a situation, choose options, pinpoint areas of development or clarify our vision for the future.

 The Life Learning Model is a map to help understand the options and possibilities available to us when confronted with life's choices. Dr Guilermo Cuéllar believes that we have two fundamental strategies that we use when faced with life: one is to create, the other is to survive. A fundamental difference between the two is that in the creative strategy we address the various obstacles that come our way, while in the survival we choose to avoid them and adopt a coping mechanism to fit in, adapt and survive the situation.  

When we use a creative approach, our choices and vision are aligned with a self- motivated purpose; our strengths, talents or gifts. We take action, follow through, address obstacles, experiment with possibilities, reflect and acknowledge on the experience in light of the results, learn from insights and apply those lessons in subsequence endeavors. The creative strategy is depicted in the Creative Cycle; it is the process of sustaining a healthy, fulfilling life based on maintaining an active alignment with our purpose.

When we use a survival strategy, our choices are motivated with the impetus to fit in, to collude, to avoid difficult situations and create coping mechanisms. Sometimes such behaviors become habitual, lacking the clarity of conscious awareness. The Survival Cycle depicted in this model describes how the habits bring on a sense of disappointment rather that fulfillment and celebration  

This "survival" approach can be fulfilling and satisfactory only for a short time. As a life-long habit this approach is limiting. We can find ourselves in a state of confusion, or lacking in purpose and meaning. When we recognize that our efforts don't work, the model can help identify not only why, but also what to do about it. The process opens the possibility for a transformation to creative solutions.