You have a student whose abilities are in normal ranges for learning, and yet, something prevents him or her from succeeding in one or another aspect, for example on tests. In other words, this student has no problem with the classwork and the homework in a subject, but bless his heart, when he sits down to a test over the same stuff, it's just not there for him! There can be other reasons, of course. Sometimes, though, there's a Behavior-Feeling vicious cycle churning just below the surface of the student's conscience. Example:
1. Student is handed a test.
2. In less time than a split second, student thinks, "I can't do this!"
3. In that split second, the now familiar knots return, forming in student's stomach, along with one in his throat. His eyes get burn-y and watery.
4. Anxiety rises, the feelings, physical response continue to torque up, the student sometimes loses focus, and then loses whatever confidence he had been able to muster going into the situation.
5. Student performs poorly on the task.
6. Receives a failing grade. Voila! Self-fulfilling prophecy.
7. Student thinks, "I knew it. I can't do_______. (Math, science, reading, etc.)
8. Process repeats upon every similar test/task that this student faces.
Frankly, I wish I could shake the person's hand who so brilliantly thought to identify and outline this physical-mental process. The seconds that all the above takes place are so miniscule that the mind barely has a chance to recognize that anything has actually taken place. But then when it does...
This student is taught explicitly about the vicious circle he's embroiled in and how he can change it.
THIS time, after quality practice, and student exhibits mastery,
1. Student is handed a test.
2. Student changes initial "self-talk" i.e., "I've done well on my homework and classwork. I know how to do this, and I'm well prepared."
3. Controlled breathing, calmness and positive self-talk replace the amped up anxiety he usually feels.
4. Student can focus. He's able to take his time, with each question, the student thinks, "Aha! I remember this!"
5. Student passes the test, begins a new pattern, because now when the teacher hands out the test he can say,
6. "I've done well on this before, I can do well this time, too."
Abracadabra!
Sometimes a student's anxious reaction is so ingrained, he must act out each step in the new pattern so that the physical reaction can't take over so quickly. AND, yes, this seems optimistic, idealistic, and hokey even. Yes, it's cumbersome to teach as detailed as it must be taught. Yes it takes time. But it works. There are times when this is exactly what a student needs to get his esteem back and some success beneath his belt. I've seen it happen so many times, but it's so powerful, it could almost be a miracle.
So what does this have to do with me? Choices. Specifically, to make each choice about healthy food or fitness a conscious one. I set out to make good choices about running for instance. I'm comfortably reading running blogs, and thinking, "Yeah, I can devote thirty minutes to my health! YES! I can stand Jillian Michaels' buoyant body barking orders at me! YES! FITNESS! THAT'S RIGHT UP MY ALLEY! Because I've always been so FREAKING fit!" (Bwaaaa ha ahaha ahahah!) But then again, an hour later at the appointed time, I have a beautiful array of excuses NOT TO. As many well-manicured excuses, in fact, as we have possible write-offs on this little ranch.
But wait right there. That moment there, the one where I begin to slide comfortably into the excuse du jour, that is where the power of conscious control over thought can change things for good. That fraction of a second can be SO powerful if I'll just stop in that moment.
Here's where the power comes in. Change the thinking, and you can change the outcome. Just like "Keep It Simple, Stupid!" when the excuse begins to plant itself comfortably, I must change directions with a simple thought.
1. "I'm changing my health one choice at a time. You'll feel better after this, self!"
2. Lace up those shoes.
3. Put one foot in front of the other.
3. Keep going until finished.
4. Tell self, "See? I told you so."
5. The next time, I am empowered to say, "I felt so good after I completed my run, I know I'll feel good again after this one!" and I'll be right, because it's TRUE, and now
6. A new self-fulfilling prophecy pattern is established!
That's ONE vicious cycle I WANT in place!
This is the plan I have for the next 21 days. I really need to change some old habits and adhere more strictly to some new ones. Using the continuum above, I want to make nutritious choices about food, and conscious choices about my fitness. I have outlined workouts for a week, and expect to use the "plan to succeed" philosophy to push me there. I also expect that after the first week, weeks 2 and 3 will be much easier.
My Shampoo Bottle Plan
- Eat simple good food
- Run
- Repeat
What can a teacher learn from her students? The power of positive thinking.
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