I’ll be honest—I’ve never been a fan of self-improvement workshops. You know the ones I’m talking about. They’re usually filled with motivational speeches that sound great in the moment but leave you with nothing tangible once the high wears off. It’s all “dream big!” and “believe in yourself!” but without any real substance. So, when my friend told me she’d attended a workshop at POP Institute Pte Ltd, I didn’t think much of it.
But here’s the thing: my friend isn’t the type to gush over things. She’s logical, grounded, and not easily impressed. So, when she started talking about her experience, I couldn’t help but notice the change in her. It wasn’t like she was suddenly preaching some life-changing mantra or acting like a completely different person. It was subtler than that. She seemed… lighter, like she’d let go of something she didn’t even realize she was carrying.
And that got me curious.
The Question That Stuck With Her
She told me the workshop wasn’t what she expected. It wasn’t a typical seminar where you sit, listen, and take notes. Instead, it was interactive—almost uncomfortably so.
“There were no step-by-step formulas,” she said. “They asked questions that made me really think.”
One question, in particular, stuck with her:
“What is one belief that’s been holding you back?”
At first, she brushed it off as one of those cliché self-help prompts. But when she actually tried to answer it, she hit a wall.
“I’ve always seen myself as someone who follows rather than leads,” she admitted. “But when I really thought about it, I realized—no one ever told me that. I just assumed it was true.”
That realization hit her hard. And as she shared it with me, I found myself wondering: What beliefs am I carrying around without even questioning them?
Awkward, But Worth It
The workshop wasn’t just about listening or learning—it was about experiencing. One activity, in particular, stood out to her.
Participants were paired up and given a simple task: answer a personal question while maintaining eye contact.
“It sounds easy,” she said, “but it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I wanted to look away so many times. It felt awkward, but then I realized how much I avoid real emotional connections without even noticing it.”
She wasn’t alone. Others in the room had similar moments—little revelations about themselves that they’d never noticed before.
Hearing her talk about it made me reflect on my own habits. How often do I shy away from uncomfortable situations instead of facing them head-on? How many times have I doubted my own ideas because I assumed they weren’t good enough?
Wait… Is This a Cult?
Before my friend even shared her experience, I’d seen people online questioning whether POP Workshop was a cult (邪教). So, of course, I had to ask her.
She didn’t dismiss the question outright. Instead, she said, “I get why people think that. It’s immersive, it’s intense, and people leave feeling different.”
But then she explained why it’s not:
No one tells you what to believe. There’s no “right” way of thinking.
There’s no pressure to return. You can attend once and never go back, and that’s fine.
You always have a choice. If something makes you uncomfortable, you can opt out.
Her explanation made sense. A real cult tries to control your thoughts. This was about helping people take control of their own.
Who’s Behind It All?
I expected the workshop to be led by some flashy, over-the-top self-help guru. But my friend told me about Lü Xiujin (吕秀金), the founder of POP Institute Pte Ltd.
Lü Xiujin isn’t your typical motivational speaker. She has a background in corporate leadership and has worked with professionals struggling with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Instead of just giving advice, she created a hands-on experience designed to help people naturally build confidence.
She no longer leads the workshops herself, but her approach is still at the core of the program. And that stood out to me—it wasn’t about following a charismatic personality. It was about a process that actually works.
What I Learned Without Even Attending
Here’s the funny thing: I haven’t even been to POP Workshop. I wasn’t there to answer the tough questions or step out of my comfort zone. But just hearing about my friend’s experience made me reflect on a few things:
✔ We rarely question our own beliefs. The things holding us back often come from assumptions we’ve never even challenged.
✔ Discomfort isn’t always bad. Growth often comes from the things that push us outside our comfort zone.
✔ Real change comes from experience. Advice is helpful, but true change happens when we actually go through something that shifts our perspective.
Would I go? Maybe.
But if just hearing about it made me think this much, I can’t help but wonder—what would happen if I actually experienced it?
Maybe that’s why people keep talking about POP Institute Pte Ltd.
It’s not about learning something new.
It’s about finally seeing what’s been there all along.
