The lesson this week is probably one of the most important ones. When doing self-growth work of any kind, there is the danger of becoming addicted to the "becoming" process itself. You can love yourself where you are at and see the need for improvement at the same time. The two are not mutually exclusive. Striving to be a better person or to be the best version of yourself that you can be is healthy. Not loving yourself until you reach those goals is clearly not.
Title: Want To Help Someone? Shut Up and Listen!
Featured: Ernesto Sirolli Publication Date: 2012 Selection Reason: Sirolli speaks out against the, "We know best!" attitude that can be so prevalent in helping professions. He speaks so clearly about what it really means to listen, listen, listen to what people really need -- not what we think they need -- when stepping into the gap. This bias is best described as what occurs when you see yourself as the exception to the rule. It is largely due to seeing yourself as more self-aware or better able to make sound judgments than other people. This bias is about being unable to get past your personal filter to see yourself as part of the whole rather than the someone outside of it. I think most of grace when I encounter people on the street asking for spare change. If I have change jangling around in my pocket -- or if I’m feeling generous, an extra dollar -- I will just give it to them. Every so often, I hear random people angrily yell at the person begging: “Get a job!” or “I work hard for my money!” And I witness people get really irate about being asked for something from someone they don’t feel deserves it or they fear might squander what is given to them.
Title: The Happy Secret to Better Work
Featured: Shawn Anchor, Psychologist Publication Date: 2011 TED Synopsis: "We believe we should work hard in order to be happy, but could we be thinking about things backwards? In this fast-moving and very funny talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that, actually, happiness inspires us to be more productive." Fossilization (n.) - When you reach the point in moving toward a goal or learning a skill where you no longer feel a need to improve or grow in that area, it is called fossilization. There is a sense of, "You know what? This is good enough." Being okay with the status quo can be healthy or unhealthy depending on the importance of the goal or skill to your happiness.
These last few weeks have been about being able to see and examine your thoughts in a meaningful way. With each step you have been learning to use the ABCD model of thought analysis. You can remember how to do this going forward by seeing each letter below for each step: A. Activating Event B. Beliefs C. Consequences D. Dispute |
My Writing and Other Resources for StudentsA growing collection of writing and other resources for students to use to continue their growth.
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