I love, love, love, this video!

If you’re a writer, teacher, parent, student or coach I highly recommend watching this video. It’s 13 minutes and twenty seconds of inspiration.

Lessons To Remember

Repetition, repetition, repetition. Persistence, persistence, persistence. How do we get good at anything? Practice. Whether it’s writing, athletics, teaching, parenting, or learning to be a successful student, we must be willing to fail and try again…and again, and again!

Our thoughts influence our actions. Several months ago I joined a spin group at our gym. For the holidays our instructor bought us all wristbands that say: I Can And I Will. This has been her mantra especially when challenging us to bump up the tension on our bikes and push a little harder. The phrase has become so ingrained in me that when I feel my legs can’t take anymore my mind repeats, I Can And I will. I’m filled with a sudden burst of energy and a belief that I’m capable.

Self confidence is a skill. I’ve been an expert at negative self talk. Simply recognizing the detrimental thoughts I have is the first step in building self-confidence. See the darkness first and then turn on the light.

Congratulate yourself. I have a habit of always reaching for more. The problem with this is that the constant striving can make me forget to be grateful for all I have. Gratefulness is the key to happiness. I love Dr. Joseph’s idea about writing a congratulatory letter to yourself. It’s OK to celebrate your successes. Give yourself permission to love your life.

Praise positive behavior you want to reinforce. Most teachers already know that praising positive behavior works like magic in a classroom. “Catch them when they’re good.”