Inspiring Insight
“Scientists consider it the single thing closest to a magic bullet….and Richard Branson gives it as his #1 piece of advice for entrepreneurs” – do strenuous exercise!
Ryan Holiday recommends having a goal with your exercise (e.g., “I will do at least 10 pushups today.”)
Although I have never been diagnosed with anxiety disorder, I know for a fact that if I start my day out with strenuous exercise, my anxiety levels are greatly decreased all day.
*from Ryan Holiday’s blog, “Thought Catalog”
Deep work is when you focus without distraction on a cognitively challenging task.
Cal Newport
Doing deep work leads to true fulfillment. How many times have you been “busy” multi-tasking only to find yourself fatigued and dissatisfied?
We say “busy as a bee,” but just be sure your ‘busy’ is focused and worthwhile.
“You’ll learn, as you get older, that rules are made to be broken. Be bold enough to live life on your terms, and never, ever apologize for it. Go against the grain, refuse to conform, take the road less traveled instead of the well-beaten path. Laugh in the face of adversity, and leap before you look. Dance as though EVERYBODY is watching. March to the beat of your own drummer. And stubbornly refuse to fit in.”
― Mandy Hale, The Single Woman: Life, Love, and a Dash of Sass
Attending a Red for Ed meeting. So proud to be among these teachers!
I was inspired by the spring cacti in my yard.
So I began to paint…
16-year old daughter: Whatcha painting?
Me: A really stinky cactus.
D: Oh yeah? What’s it smell like?
Me: Garbage and butt.
D: It looks like a monster on Monsters, Inc.
Me: (laughing hysterically)
D: Draw some arms and legs on it. Call it, “Open to Interpretation.”
Isn’t everything?
It’s Sunday and that means…research update!
Page 91, Paul Tough’s book, How Children Succeed
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (or CBT) involves using the conscious mind to recognize negative or self-destructive thoughts or interpretations and to (sometimes literally), talk yourself into a better perspective.
CBT is just one example under the big umbrella of “Metacognition.” Talking about character, evaluating character are metacognitive strategies.
However, just knowing about strategies is not enough.
Gabrielle Oettingen (NYU Psychologist) says people tend to use one of three strategies when setting goals and only one is very effective:
If/then statements – “If I get distracted from my work, then I will…”
This is setting rules for yourself.
Rules overcome drawbacks of willpower which redirects our attention from the obstacle or challenge and helps us become automatic in practicing positive behavior.
According to Duckworth: “Habits are character.”
Group identity (stereotypes) can have both positive and negative effects on achievement.
Before a challenging math test, female college students need only be reminded that they are female for them to do WORSE on the test than female students who do not receive that identity cue. (p. 96)
Telling students that intelligence is malleable has led to better academic performance.
A study of low-income 7th grade students in Texas were divided into two groups:
The first group performed significantly better – girls who used to lag behind boys in math closed the gap completely.
16. Report Cards
Dual-purpose instruction – when teachers deliberately work explicit talk about character strengths into every lesson.
Optimism, self-control, social intelligence are a few examples
“Character strengths can become character weaknesses.” For example, someone with too much grit might then be weak in empathy towards others. There is a balance that needs to be reached.
17. Climbing the Mountain p. 101
KIPP School – tracking students in college
“…it’s the character piece that has held some back (procrastination). Depression is also an issue.”
The impact of poverty catches up even with children who are resilient.
Character can function as a substitute for social net that the middle and upper class kids enjoy.
To succeed, they need more grit, social intelligence and more self-control than wealthier kids.
But KIPP students who graduate do not have just a diploma. They have the knowledge that they climbed a mountain to get it.
“There is nothing to fear, but fear itself.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
