By way of the ultimate rule of positive energy, we get some insight to the conundrum of dealing with negative people that aren't going to get rid of. For me, if you take nothing else from this book, take this rule to heart:
Your positive energy and vision must be greater than anyone's and everyone's negativity. Your certainty must be greater than everyone's doubt.
Joy herself says this rule is so important that it is separate from the Ten Rules. Do your best to heed this mantra as you deal with life's energy vampires.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Chapter 18
Rule #6:
Post a Sign That Says NO ENERGY VAMPIRES ALLOWED on Your Bus
In my job, I've had to deal with energy vampires. So have you. At times, I may have been a vampire to you; at other times, you may have been one to someone else.
The answer is not to fire all who are negative. Often, we in education have so much to feel negative about that it is all to easy to fall into a rut of negativity. And most times in our lives, we couldn't fire somebody even if we wanted to--like they angry and irrational parent, or the pompous and disconnected legislator.
So what is the answer? How do we appropriately deal with people who are sucking the positive energy from us? Maybe we need to read some more...
Post a Sign That Says NO ENERGY VAMPIRES ALLOWED on Your Bus
In my job, I've had to deal with energy vampires. So have you. At times, I may have been a vampire to you; at other times, you may have been one to someone else.
The answer is not to fire all who are negative. Often, we in education have so much to feel negative about that it is all to easy to fall into a rut of negativity. And most times in our lives, we couldn't fire somebody even if we wanted to--like they angry and irrational parent, or the pompous and disconnected legislator.
So what is the answer? How do we appropriately deal with people who are sucking the positive energy from us? Maybe we need to read some more...
Chapter 17
Joy teaches George that "negativity kills productivity". Which leads Danny to showing George rule #5:
Don't Waste Your Energy on Those Who Won't Get on Your Bus
I don't think this means you give up on people, though. As Mark L stated in a comment to a previous post, to give up goes against the parent/teacher instinct we all have as educators. If we believe it's OK to give up on a student, we are in the wrong profession!
Just as we wouldn't give up on students, I don't think you give up on adults, either, even if they are negative. To me, rule #5 means you don't let other people's negativity "kill your productivity".
What does rule #5 mean to you?
Don't Waste Your Energy on Those Who Won't Get on Your Bus
I don't think this means you give up on people, though. As Mark L stated in a comment to a previous post, to give up goes against the parent/teacher instinct we all have as educators. If we believe it's OK to give up on a student, we are in the wrong profession!
Just as we wouldn't give up on students, I don't think you give up on adults, either, even if they are negative. To me, rule #5 means you don't let other people's negativity "kill your productivity".
What does rule #5 mean to you?
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Chapter 14-16
Rule #4: Invite people on your bus and share your vision for the road ahead.
I've shared my vision back in my Chapter 6-7 post. Obviously, the part about "career" is what mirrors the vision I wish to share with you, as my staff: I want to develop positive, trusting, relationships with all staff and students. I also feel the staff needs to develop these with their students, and with one another. When we have these relationships in place, we can focus on more specific areas of student achievement. But before we can take on such a school improvement challenge, we need to have an expectation that we are all respected, that all opinions are valid, and that we are supportive of each other even in times of differing opinions.
If you'd like to hop on my bus, with this vision in mind, sign the ticket that you will find in your mailbox, and place it in mine. If you're not on the bus...what do I need to do to get you on?
I've shared my vision back in my Chapter 6-7 post. Obviously, the part about "career" is what mirrors the vision I wish to share with you, as my staff: I want to develop positive, trusting, relationships with all staff and students. I also feel the staff needs to develop these with their students, and with one another. When we have these relationships in place, we can focus on more specific areas of student achievement. But before we can take on such a school improvement challenge, we need to have an expectation that we are all respected, that all opinions are valid, and that we are supportive of each other even in times of differing opinions.
If you'd like to hop on my bus, with this vision in mind, sign the ticket that you will find in your mailbox, and place it in mine. If you're not on the bus...what do I need to do to get you on?
Chapter 13
One Great Golf Shot...well, even I had one of those, and I could easily challenge for the World's Worst Golfer title. I was participating in a charity golf scramble several years ago, and on a Par 3 my shot landed about 2 feet from the pin. I will never repeat that--partially because I never golf anymore--but whenever I do think about golf, I remember that One Great Shot.
Why do you think even the worst of golfers remember their best moments, but in other areas of our lives we focus on the negative over the positive?
Why do you think even the worst of golfers remember their best moments, but in other areas of our lives we focus on the negative over the positive?
Chapter 12
George takes the Thank-You Walk...sounds a little hokey, even I'll admit. However, the basis of this book is rooted in science. Being happy, grateful, etc., releases positive endorphins to the brain, making a person actually happier. And it is not possible to be both grateful and stressed out. So, the Thank-You Walk is "research-validated"?
I'm going to take a Thank-You Walk later today. When I get a chance, I will share how it goes. I challenge all who read this to take a 5-minute Thank-You Walk this week. It could be in the halls, before school, during lunch, during conference period, after school, etc. Or, you could do it outside of school (if you have the time). Taking the Thank-You Walk is the important thing...sharing your experience would be the cherry on the sundae, so please consider!
I'm going to take a Thank-You Walk later today. When I get a chance, I will share how it goes. I challenge all who read this to take a 5-minute Thank-You Walk this week. It could be in the halls, before school, during lunch, during conference period, after school, etc. Or, you could do it outside of school (if you have the time). Taking the Thank-You Walk is the important thing...sharing your experience would be the cherry on the sundae, so please consider!
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Chapters 10-11
We are introduced to two more rules for the "ride of our lives".
- #2- Desire, vision, and focus move your bus in the right direction.
- With this rule, Joy reminds us to think about what we want, rather than complain about what we don't want. Focus on the POSITIVE outcome you are seeking!
- #3-Fuel your ride with positive energy.
- Within this rule, we hear the parable about "feeding the positive dog".
Take a moment to explain what either of these rules mean to you.
Chapter 9
We learn that George's career hinges on his ability to launch the marketing campaign for a new lightbulb, the NRG-2000. Use the NRG-2000 as a metaphor. What is your biggest challenge right now?
My personal NRG-2000 is leading our new Sandusky Jr./Sr. High School. I hope that I am on more solid ground, career-wise, than George seems to be. But I know the reality of my job is simple: if I don't produce, I will be replaced. I try not to dwell on this fact, but I'd be lying if I said I feel no stress about my long-term career prospects.
If you're comfortable, please share your own personal NRG-2000.
My personal NRG-2000 is leading our new Sandusky Jr./Sr. High School. I hope that I am on more solid ground, career-wise, than George seems to be. But I know the reality of my job is simple: if I don't produce, I will be replaced. I try not to dwell on this fact, but I'd be lying if I said I feel no stress about my long-term career prospects.
If you're comfortable, please share your own personal NRG-2000.
Chapter 8
Chapter 8 is a brief chapter, talking about "energy". I challenge you to ponder two thoughts:
- What is the "energy", or feeling, of SHS?
- What are you contributing to our collective energy?
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Chapter 6-7
George is excited to see Joy back driving the bus, and somewhat to his surprise, he agrees to learn the 10 Rules for the Ride of Your Life while he waits for his car to be fixed. We meet some of the other passengers on the bus: Danny, the keeper of the rules, and Marty, the bus's research guy. And we learn Rule #1--You're the driver of your bus. If you're not the driver, you'll be pulled in the direction of whomever you are letting drive. It is OK to be a passenger on someone else's bus, but you need to have your own direction, too (now that's deep!).
Joy hands George a piece of paper that asks him to answer the following:
George is asked to answer these questions before his next bus ride. Those these questions are somewhat personal, I invite you to share your answers, too. I'll start--check the comments section for my responses.
Joy hands George a piece of paper that asks him to answer the following:
- My vision for my life (including health):
- My vision for work, career, and job:
- My vision for my relationship and family:
George is asked to answer these questions before his next bus ride. Those these questions are somewhat personal, I invite you to share your answers, too. I'll start--check the comments section for my responses.
Chapter 5
George is disappointed to see that Joy is not driving his bus on this particular morning. What has changed already in George that he is now upset not to see Joy, when earlier he found her to be off-putting?
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Chapter 4
George is perhaps at his lowest moment in Chapter 4, as his career and his marriage appear to be on thin ice. He is especially despondent as he reflects on his boss's comments that he could no longer "carry him" as George struggled at work. George had always considered his boss to be his biggest supporter.
Though the tone of the chapter is depressed, we can look inside for positives: who do you consider to be your biggest supporter(s) at work? Though I have to say that I am blessed to work with many great people, I must say that working with Cindy in the office these first few weeks has been extraordinary! Cindy handles the pressures and demands of her job with dignity, grace, and professionalism, but she also goes the extra mile to do many little things to make my job easier and my day brighter. Please consider mentioning those who support you at SHS by commenting on this post.
Though the tone of the chapter is depressed, we can look inside for positives: who do you consider to be your biggest supporter(s) at work? Though I have to say that I am blessed to work with many great people, I must say that working with Cindy in the office these first few weeks has been extraordinary! Cindy handles the pressures and demands of her job with dignity, grace, and professionalism, but she also goes the extra mile to do many little things to make my job easier and my day brighter. Please consider mentioning those who support you at SHS by commenting on this post.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)