On what escalator are you stuck?

I discovered this video a few years ago when I was teaching the "7 Habits" lessons to my elementary school students.  I used this video to demonstrate two very "reactive" people - the non-example of being proactive (i.e. Habit #1).

Video: Stuck on an Escalator - Take Action!

We all have our "escalators" on which we get "stuck!"  We can choose to remain on the escalator and ruminate or complain, but doing nothing to resolve our situation, or we can take a stand, draw from our resources, to solve our dilemma or choose our attitude toward the situation.  I think as I work with students to help them develop more of a growth mindset, this will be a great video to share.  

I will be working with high school students this next school year, and more specifically, with students who are above-average academically.  I believe growth mindset education is particularly important for this population of students, who (like me when I was a teenager/young adult), tend to think intellect is fixed- that we are defined by our talents and we must be successful, lest we look like failures.  As a consequence of this fixed mindset thinking, individuals are fearful to take chances, afraid to stretch themselves and risk failure.  In the end, they limit themselves.  For example, a fixed mindset student will get stuck on an escalator (e.g. AP calculus class that is incredibly challenging) and give up (e.g. drop the class and take an easier math class to ensure an A).  A growth mindset student in the same situation will embrace the challenge, not consider the difficulty a reflection of her intellect, and draw upon her resources to conquer the material, even if it risks not obtaining an A.

With that in mind, what escalators are you stuck on?  What personal resources can you draw upon to become unstuck?

This is Water - by David Foster Wallace

I have probably listened to the late David Foster Wallace's 2005 Kenyon College commencement speech over 20 times (including again today as I was driving around town).  The title of this 23-minute speech is "This is Water," where DFW addresses,among other things, our power or freedom to choose how and what we think about.    

Would love to show this video to my high school students - it addresses the Franklian concepts of freedom of will (in particular of one's attitude) and self-transcendence.  A couple of my favorite lines are as follows:

(His explanation of the point of the "fish parable" at the beginning of his speech):  "The most obvious, important realities are often the ones that are hardest to see and talk about."

(And toward the end of the speech):  "The really important kind of freedom involves attention and awareness and discipline, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them over and over in myriad petty, unsexy ways every day. That is real freedom. That is being educated, and understanding how to think."

And finally, perhaps my favorite ......"The capital-T Truth is about life BEFORE death. It is about the real value of a real education, which has almost nothing to do with knowledge, and everything to do with simple awareness; awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, all the time, that we have to keep reminding ourselves over and over: "This is water." "This is water."

Here is the link:

Would love to hear other's comments about this speech :)

"How's the water, boys?"  

Logotherapy and education

Once again, I am trying to resurrect this blog!  It's been over 7 years since I first read Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning,where Dr. Frankl, a Viennese psychiatrist, recounts his experiences as a Jewish prisoner in the Nazi concentration camps during World War 2 (for a timeline of his life, check out Viktor Frankl Institute - Official Website of the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna)

Since that time, I have read several books and articles about Frankl and his counseling modality/theory/philosophy called logotherapy (therapy through meaning).  Frankl's belief, which is a fundamental basis for his theory, was that people are not driven by the pursuit of pleasure, as proposed by Freud, or by the pursuit of power, as proposed by Adler.  Instead, human beings are motivated to find purpose and meaning in their lives - it is through this pursuit of meaning and purpose in one's life that true happiness can ensue. This, as well as the other assumptions and tenets of logotherapy continue to resonate with me, since it speaks to my own life so clearly.  I have had a few diverse careers and experiences in my life, and yet it is school counseling where I feel I have discovered true meaning in my life (and thus deep joy and satisfaction).

When asked about the meaning of his own life, Frankl would respond, not surprisingly, that it is to help others find meaning in their lives.  Similarly, I believe my life's purpose is to help students become capable and purposeful human beings, and there is perhaps no better forum than education. In fact, I strongly believe that the three fundamental tenets or assumptions of logotherapy (freedom of will, will to meaning, and meaning of life) are particularly applicable in education at all grade levels, although the focus on career/college readiness at the high school level makes logotherapy especially conducive to this older grade level.  I strongly believe that when students make connections between their academics and interests/goals, they will become more engaged in school, which translates into better attendance, grades, and attitude/behavior.

My motivation for creating this blog a few years ago was, and still is, to provide a forum where school counselors, educators, as well as other education stakeholders can discuss the application of Franklian psychology in the education of our youth.  I have not posted much, probably due to time constraints as well as being intimidated by the "blank page" - that is,what do I write? There is so much.

So I'll start out small - I'll post from time to time articles of f interest.  I am currently taking my third course from the Viktor Institute of Logotherapy titled "Meaning-Centered Interventions" where I am required to draft a reflection at the end of each unit - so  perhaps I'll post some of those reflections.  My hope is that others might read my posts, ask questions, and contribute their own thoughts.  For those new to logotherapy, I highly recommend Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning.  Another useful website is from the U.S. Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy headquartered in Texas   The links at the top of the page provide an excellent summary of Frankl's life as well as logotherapy.

Thank you for reading!