In this Mini-Series, we’ll take you through three different studies about social and emotional learning. Each case will provide valuable insight into the importance of assessing and bolstering social and emotional skills in children of all ages.
There are two choices you can make that directly impact what happens to you. Optimism or Pessimism. Optimists and pessimists approach problems differently, and their resilience differs as a result. Here are three items directly from the DESSA that you can use to do the same. Take a minute right now for yourself and reflect on these 3 items.
1) Think about how often you look forward to classes or activities at school. We always want the students we work with to avoid getting hung up, but do we avoid the same pitfalls. Don’t let one thing ruin what is otherwise an amazing day, week, month or year. Put it in perspective and let it go so it doesn’t bother you and continue to look forward to the things that matter.
2) Think about how often you speak about positive things. If there are a group of teachers huddling in the break room talking about how they can’t make it through another day, tell them how great it will feel to spend a day out in the sunshine when school is done. Talk about the impact you have seen with one of your students, your personal growth, or something you saw in a coworker that impressed you this year. Changing the conversation can do wonders to get people out of a rut. Surrounding yourself with positive people can also do some amazing things!
3) Think about how often you carry yourself with confidence. Success is not always guaranteed, but having a drive to get there is critical. I’m willing to bet that the last time you heard someone tell you to “have confidence” was when you were a little kid. It was important then, and it’s even more important now. In the purest sense, confidence is a balance between low self-esteem and arrogance. The closer you are to a middle ground, the happier you will feel.
Take a look at the image below:
Optimistic Thinking is the ability to see a positive future. If a student can see themselves having a job, making a life for themselves, having a family someday, then they will be more resilient. Increased resilience mean better reactions, better reactions mean better decisions, and better decisions mean keeping calm and staying within oneself.
I wanted to also share with you a high quality read from a website called “the pursuit of happiness” that touches on mindfulness, optimism, and gratitude and the relation to science and health. This science of happiness is something I’m challenging myself to learn more about so I can model it for my family, my coworkers, and all of you.
Want to learn even more about why we chose Optimistic Thinking? Download our free sample strategy. This excellent lesson teaches students AND teachers about the importance of resilience and how we can all build it into our everyday life.