Setting goals and writing them down can significantly increase the likelihood of succeeding at something. Not only does the act of doing these things provide us with direction and focus, but it holds us more accountable. And feeling accountable drives us to take action! Studies support this claim, and also recognize the benefit of involving others (friends, family, teachers, etc.) in the process of setting goals.
This school year, you will have a unique accountability buddy who will help support you in achieving your goals throughout the school year. You will match yourself with a buddy according to the virtues that best describe you, and the virtues that you hope to develop. If evidence supports this method as a way to increase our likelihood of succeeding, why not give it a shot in our own science classroom?
This school year, you will have a unique accountability buddy who will help support you in achieving your goals throughout the school year. You will match yourself with a buddy according to the virtues that best describe you, and the virtues that you hope to develop. If evidence supports this method as a way to increase our likelihood of succeeding, why not give it a shot in our own science classroom?
But what is a virtue? A virtue is a positive trait or quality that is considered to make us better people. After self-evaluating your strengths and weaknesses in "following" the virtues of perseverance, empathy, patience, politeness, humor, self-awareness, forgiveness, hope, and confidence, you will pair yourself with an "opposite" accountability buddy. In this way, you and your accountability buddy can motivate and support each other with new and different ideas and strategies for reaching your goals.
Below are the virtues we will use in our self-evaluation. These virtues will also provide us with insight on the goals we should set throughout the school year, and strategies for reaching those goals.
Below are the virtues we will use in our self-evaluation. These virtues will also provide us with insight on the goals we should set throughout the school year, and strategies for reaching those goals.
Perseverance
- pushing forward even when things are very difficult
- accepting the fact that there will always be challenges
- not letting fear stop you
- connecting with the feelings and experiences of another person
- having the courage to "put yourself in another person's shoes"
- being able to look at yourself honestly
- staying calm, even when things are not going your way
- not letting temper "get the best of you"
- being able to work with people who don't necessarily agree/get along with
- having "manners"
- maintaining control over your inner feelings
- being able to see the funny side of situations
- not letting negativity get in the way
- having a sense of what's going on in your life
- having a sense of how your emotions and behavior are related
- not blaming others for your troubles and moods
- being able to "cut people slack"
- understanding that no one is perfect
- believing that things can improve or turn out for the best
- having a positive outlook
- being aware of your strengths and abilities
- not letting negativity hold you back
Homework (Due Wednesday, September 25): Bring in a picture that represents the goal you set for yourself this month. We will hang this picture somewhere in the room to remind you and your accountability buddy everyday of your goal. The picture may be a personal drawing/sketch, from a magazine, or printed from a computer.
Extra Credit: Write a summary of an article published in the Harvard Business Review blog that outlines 9 things successful people do differently when setting goals: http://blogs.hbr.org/2011/02/nine-things-successful-people/
Extra Credit: Write a summary of an article published in the Harvard Business Review blog that outlines 9 things successful people do differently when setting goals: http://blogs.hbr.org/2011/02/nine-things-successful-people/
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