I love participating in Slice of Life, started by Two Writing Teachers and writing a story, reflection, or musing at least once a week.
My daughter, Libby, a marketing major, and I were talking this weekend (more about that visit on Celebration Saturday - she's doing a Smucker's internship in Orrville, OH), about advertising, writing, and what people will read. She said studies have shown that people will read about things NOT to do over what TO do. Thus, when I saw this article on my Facebook feed this week, it caught my eye: 16 Things Emotionally Strong People Don't Do. The article was born from a woman's question to author Angel Chernoff as a result of being frustrated about the time spent trying to implement positive habits. She wondered what she could remove from her life as well. Go ahead and read the link and meet me back here. :-)
I thought the article was extremely wise. I also know each one is easier said than done! I don't know much about Marc and Angel Chernoff, but now I want to know more. I don't know if they are spiritual, or just about self-help, but I thought the list was so important. Since my One Little Word is JOURNEY, I was drawn to #4:
They don’t compare their journey to everyone else’s. – Social comparison is the thief of happiness. Do YOUR best and don’t compare your progress with that of others. They aren’t YOU. We all need our own time to travel our own distance. Emotionally strong people know this is the truth, and they live by it.
I think this is wonderful. I think we need this tip for our own lives, but I think it's equally important as teachers to remember this for our students. I've especially loved being able to teach my current students for two years, and I'll get them next year, also, as 6th graders. What a joy that is. I get to see their journeys first hand, and they all walk at different paces, have different goals, and are each amazing for different reasons. If we can express that we understand each one of our students are traveling his/her own distance, wouldn't that be powerful?! We could help them be one step closer to their own emotional strength.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on your favorites from the list. Before you go, I thought you'd enjoy seeing who Angel and Marc are. This is brief, but they certainly seem happy, don't they?!
Their book:
I saw that you posted the article, Holly & then shared it too. It seems a wise list to me. And that idea of thinking about applying it to students is good. My school always keeps students in a class at least two years, & sometimes three. It is a gift, isn't it, to get to know those students so well. Thanks again for the article!
ReplyDeleteIt IS a gift!
DeleteThis is a great article. I especially like #10. I wholeheartedly agree. If you make the SAME mistake a second time (or more), then it's really not a mistake. It is a choice!
ReplyDeleteOn a related note, I thought you'd appreciate this: http://blogs.hbr.org/2010/08/six-keys-to-being-excellent-at/.
I liked #10, too, Stacey! I'll check out the link. Thanks
DeleteConfession, I only watched the video and read your post but...the video is great and I will be back to read the rest (the link) tonight. Off to work this morning with a smile and feeling like awesomeness is in my day. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteI had seen the article on my Facebook feed as well but hadn't read it until just now. The advice about the journey reminds me of wisdom a friend shared with me: Don't compare your inside to someone else's outside. I know everything that's wrong with me inside, but only see the best appearance for most other people. Remembering that advice has kept me from comparing myself to others many times.
ReplyDeleteIt must be wonderful to your students' growth after two years--they are lucky too. Enjoyed the article reminders--especially numbers one and eleven: positivity and change.
ReplyDeleteI saw your post and read the article, too. It is a compelling title. My OLW is Open, so I need to look at number 11, "They don't resist change." So easy for us to get complacent and let things stay as they are, or, worse, resist the change that must happen. But I am also quite guilty of being jealous of other people's success. It's hard not to be. I also know that they deserve it because they have put in the hard work. Then why does it seem like they did it easily?
ReplyDeleteThanks for making me think.
I saw the article on FB, but hadn't had time to read it until tonight on your post. I like ALL of them. #7 resonates with me..we have a saying in our classroom. We don't say, "I can't do it." Instead, we say, "I can't do it yet." It's all part of that growth mindset. Thanks for sharing this article again. I'm glad I had time to go back and read it tonight.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great list! especially #3 and #6.
ReplyDeleteThe lists are made by studying numerous people. They don't work as a to-do (or not-to-do) lists that you simply follow. The points are good however for analyzing oneself and seeing what you can change. My challenge is the not comparing. I am strong at telling students that we don't compare with each other but rather look at individual growth, but then catch myself comparing my life to the achievements of others. Thank you for the article.
ReplyDelete