William “Bud” Hart, of Haverhill, shares “Success Principles”—ideas for living a greater, better and more accomplished life, and building habits that stick. He also coaches clients to incorporate strategies for boosting their mental and physical performance during everyday living.
I always tell my kids to be prepared, particularly when they are starting anything new that involves meeting new people (like the first day of school). You may have read this in some of my previous articles because I repeat it often, especially to my kids. I like to say, “Think backwards. Be ready the first minute of the very first day to be, act like and show people the person you want them to know and how you want them to relate to you weeks, months and years down the road. For that is how they will see and interact with you.”
I think about this saying at this time every year as kids begin to return to the classroom. I wish I could repeat these words I preach (often) to my kids to every returning student on opening day. It could make a difference, the distinction between having a teacher say, “Why are you here,” and “I’m happy to see you here” days and weeks down the line.
Pope Francis spoke to millions of young people recently in Krakow, Poland, where they participated in a week-long rally called World Youth Day. He warned youths against what he referred to as a life of comfort and convenience (“sofa-happiness”), calling it the most “harmful and insidious form of paralysis.” He said it’s a dangerous paralysis because as “we start to nod off” other people, (even teachers) “more alert” but “not necessarily better, decide our future for us.” For the fact is, unless you offer the best of yourselves, the world will never be different.” This holds true for all of us.
Today Education is not terribly different from my grammar and high school days. There are still plenty of dry uninspiring subjects and books on algebra, history and the likes. There’s also this continuing entrenched idea that every student does, can and will learn the same cookie cutter way. And from everything I know there is very little emphasis or effort to teach kids to use critical thinking, imagination and the dogged determination to stick with something; a problem, a dilemma, a new idea, an intuitive feeling, until they create something out it. This is sad.
The greatest problem kids (and adults alike) face and need to solve in life is both a process and a practice that starts with having the end in mind and working backward. It begins with a thought, followed by the actual physical creation or execution of this thought. Who and where do you want to be and what do you want to have in 30 years, 15 years, 5 years, this school year and so forth, on down to today and this very moment?
Not that I am an authority and you may not agree, but from my thinking and experience, if you are a parent, teacher, or coach starting from the desired outcome and working backwards is a particularly good way to engage young people. Having them think about what they want and back through the steps and doing the certain things that will get them there generates insight and it can be motivating.
As the old Chinese proverb says, “Dig the well before you are thirsty.” That’s backward thinking at its finest.
William “Bud” Hart is a certified “Mindset” Coach, Accountability Partner and Business Consultant. Visit Hart Group, www.hartgroupma.com for more on coaching.