What I’m Learning: November 2017
Hey friends! I hope you’re having a great week. I know that as the holiday season quickly approaches, our routines and lives seem to get thrown out. So, I thought I would try something a little different on the blog this week.
As you may or may not know, I love reading, listening to podcasts, taking classes + courses, and in general, I just love learning new things. For this weeks post, I will be sharing what I’ve been learning over the past couple of weeks.
Two things really stood out to me. First, I read a TED article regarding the 5 Pieces of Life Advice from Seniors. I also finished up Sheryl Sandberg’s amazing book, Option B which she wrote following the death of her husband. If you haven’t read it, I would highly recommend it!
5 Pieces of Life Advice from Seniors:
- Think of hard times like bad weather- they too shall pass
- Draw inspiration from ALL the people you meet
- Love your work – for the salary AND for the people
- Find mentors who can guide you and challenge you
- Make the most of less
Notes + Quotes from Option B by Sheryl Sandberg:
“Self-compassion comes from recognizing that our imperfections are part of being human. Those who can tap into it recover from hardship faster. In a study of people whose marriages fell apart, resilience was not related to their self-esteem, optimism, or depression before divorce, or to how long their separations or relationships had lasted. What helped people cope with distress and move on was self-compassion.”
“Self-compassion often co-exists with remorse. It does not mean shirking responsibility for our past. It’s about making sure that we don’t beat ourselves up so badly that we damage our future.”
“Self-confidence is critical to happiness and success. When we lack it, we dwell on our flaws. We fail to embrace new challenges and learn new skills. We hesitate to take even a small risk that can lead to a big opportunity.
Small Wins: Keeping a list of tiny accomplishments from the day
Post Traumatic Growth: Can take 5 different forms
- Finding personal strength
- Gaining appreciation
- Forming deeper relationships
- Discovering more meaning in life
- Seeing new possibilities
Building resilience depends on the opportunities children have and the relationships they form with parents, caregivers, teachers, and friends. We can start by helping children develop 4 core beliefs (I think we can apply these points to adults too, not just children):
- Control over their lives
- Learn from failure
- Matter as human beings
- Real strengths to rely on and share
Klassen Time?
In Denmark, mattering is part of the school curriculum. During a weekly hour call Klassen Time, students come together to discuss problems and help one another. Danish children do this from age 6 until they graduate from high school.
When children present their own problems they feel listened to, and when their classmates seek guidance, they feel they can make a difference. Furthermore, the children learn empathy by hearing other people’s perspectives and reflecting on how their behavior affects those around them.”
I found this to be so interesting. Why don’t we have Klassen time in the U.S or in other countries? Want to read more:
Click Here to read the whole TED Article mentioned above:
Want to know what I’m reading and learning right now? Make sure to say hello over on Instagram @betsyramserjaime
What I’m Learning: November 2017
