21st Century Learning and Teaching

When we were growing up, our teachers saluted great individuals who changed the course of history; during dinnertime, our parents lovingly recalled their idols; and of course, we had our own personal heroes who walked on water. They were wonderful role models.

Martin Luther King, Princess Diana, Leonard Bernstein, Walter Cronkite, Colin Powell, Helen Keller, Ronald Reagan, Bill Gates, John Kennedy, Vince Lombardi, Steve Jobs, the Beatles, Tim Russert, John Glenn, Mother Teresa . . . to name a few.

There was something about these role models that made them special. They led by example, raised the bar for us, and were simply the best of the best. We might have even wanted to be them, someday.

We looked up to them, and to other role models, because of their accomplishments, such as overcoming obstacles to achieve greatness, speaking up when no one else would, living rags-to-riches stories, being poster children for honesty and integrity, putting others’ needs ahead of their own, and fighting tirelessly for causes they believed in. Many of these role models changed our world . . . forever.

I know it’s a generality, but would you be proud if your kids followed in the footsteps of many of today’s politicians, professional athletes, Hollywood celebrities, or pop musicians? There’s no need to mention them by name. You know who I’m talking about. Sure, there are some wonderful role models to celebrate, but too many of today’s public figures are train wrecks –– purveyors of greed, recklessness, or dishonesty. Too often they’re excused for drug and alcohol abuse, marital infidelity, and personal arrogance as we sit mesmerized by their fame. Need I say more?

I’m not suggesting that role models have to be saints, but let’s get real. Many executives can’t tell the difference between right and wrong until they’re caught, many politicians appear to treat integrity as a liability, and celebrities live so close to the edge that many are in danger of falling off. Shame? Disgust? Public outrage? Nope. . . Too many journalists are no longer interested in reporting the facts; they’re more concerned with ratings, shaping the news, or giving cover to those who subscribe to their personal views. Obviously, there’s a void that needs to be filled.

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Communication matters. While a few words can make someone feel special, words poorly chosen have the power to kill a relationship or tarnish a reputation.

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Get Real. Be Yourself. Live your life in such a way that you can be proud of who you are and what you stand for.

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Everyone is born with the potential for greatness. What happens next is up to you. You get to choose which path you take, how high to set the bar for yourself, and how hard you’re willing to work to clear it. You get to decide how to spend your time, who to spend it with, and what you’re willing to forgo when time runs short. Every choice that you make and every action that you take has consequences, but who better to decide what’s best for you –– than you.

It’s your life to live. Own it!

Securing the ultimate prize takes strength and courage. You’re going to face challenges that seem insurmountable and suffer setbacks along the way, but faith, hard work, and determination will see you through. Don’t listen to naysayers or allow others to lead you astray; follow your heart and let your dreams lead the way. You owe it to yourself to be the best you can be. You’ll travel this road only once. Believe in yourself and make yourself proud. There are no dress rehearsals in life.

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Don't quit! During our lifetime, we’ll all face tough challenges. Yet, even though our personal limits may be tested, we must never quit.

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Are you pulled in a million directions? Because we’re all unique, it’s important to define what balance means to you and how you plan to achieve it.

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Do you want to simplify your life? Download this free poster. It provides 24 ways to "Keep it Simple"

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The Give and Take of Social Networking

Looking for a job? Need some personal advice? Looking to make some valuable connections? Perhaps you should try social networking, but only consider it if you’re prepared to help others first. Otherwise, your efforts will fall short.

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The time has come for the media to review their current practices and demand utmost integrity from themselves and their people. I long for a day when the news media awaken to their conscience and accept responsibility as gatekeepers of the truth. It’s time for them to understand the vital role they play and to ensure that every member lives according to the highest standards of honor and integrity. The late Edward R. Murrow, one of journalism’s great figures, said, “To be credible we must be truthful.” The media have a moral duty and an obligation to live by that principle. Truth is not an option. It’s a necessity!

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If you don’t put your heart into your activities, if you hand in incomplete work as finished, if you don’t do your best every time you start something, then you’re doing yourself a tremendous disservice. The truth is, if you’re not proud of what you do, you’re not done. This doesn’t mean that you have to win the race, secure every promotion, or be named Parent of the Year, but at least you’ll know, in your heart, that you’ve done your best.

What Makes People Proud?

There are many things that make us proud — getting a promotion, making a difference in someone’s life, buying a dream house, being recognized as the best in a particular line of work, knowing that you’re raising your kids to be well-adjusted human beings, being viewed as a wonderful role model, or overcoming a serious challenge in life — to name just a few. These accomplishments are especially meaningful when they’re the result of hard work, perseverance, and knowing that you’ve done your best.

Unlock your potential. Take a moment to think about these 52 awesome questions. 

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Kids do crazy things, but we expect more from grown-ups, don’t we? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Folks scream obscenities at ballgames, bully people on social media, and treat others with total disrespect. If you think this behavior is rude, insensitive, and tasteless, you’re right. But why is it so prevalent? The truth is, some people behave this way for personal gain; some folks don’t know better; and others know they’ll get away with it — because they have in the past. Some grown-ups never grow up.

While some indiscretions were once considered outlandish, we’ve become desensitized to these actions. It’s troubling that some of this behavior could have been avoided, but too many of us didn’t speak up. Instead, we closed our eyes to the poor behavior and waited for others to make the first move. The consequence is that wrongs committed by enough people become the norm over time. We have no one to blame except ourselves.

As leaders, role models, and parents, we must utilize every opportunity to reinforce the values that we hold dear.

What Values Do You Cherish?
Are polite manners a thing of the past? Should people honor their word? Is it Pollyanna to expect people to do what’s right? I think not! But if we don’t promote good values, don’t be surprised when bad ones become the norm. “How do we improve the situation?” you ask.

First, we must modify our criterion of excellence. It’s not what you have but who you are that counts. Moral character matters!

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https://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?tag=Values

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We see a post on social media, read an article in the paper, listen to opinions in a meeting, hear the results of a poll, and before you know it, we adjust our views and jump on the bandwagon with everyone else. It’s as if we say, “If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me.” No questions asked. Groupthink: what makes you think others know better?

We are dramatically affected by the people around us. In fact, we tend to do things simply because others do them, rather than follow our own beliefs or think for ourselves. That’s fine if we’re kind, eat healthy, or read more because our friends and colleagues influence us to act that way. But this phenomenon can also compel us to do things against our own best interest — if we’re not careful.

Even though being part of a group provides comfort and security it doesn’t guarantee that your group will always think intelligently; in fact, their reasoning may be deeply flawed. That’s why you should think carefully before you end up destroying your credibility and your reputation. It’s important to consider whether the messenger is credible, the information is accurate, the rationale is logical, and the intentions are honorable.

The alternative is to follow the group blindly — and assume that other members did their homework.

When your ears hear one thing, but your eyes see another…use your brain.

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Meaningful conversations don't happen by chance. Many of us unknowingly erect communication barriers, making it difficult for relationships to thrive.

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If you define winning as getting the upper hand, backing your opponent into a corner, and winning at any expense, you’ve got it all wrong. You may win in the short term, but think about the relationship going forward. Do those actions build trust, teamwork, and respect? I think not. You’ve probably created enough animosity, distrust, and jealousy to last a lifetime. In other words, you may have won the battle, but lost the war. There’s a better way…winning doesn’t have to be at someone’s expense.

Compromise: A Win-Win Strategy

Some people need to win at all costs because their ego won’t accept anything less. They’d rather win personally than accomplish something meaningful. Compromise isn’t a synonym for surrender; it’s a winning battle plan.

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Communication matters. While a few words can make someone feel special, words poorly chosen have the power to kill a relationship or tarnish a reputation.

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Are You Open to Feedback?

Some people avoid feedback like the plague. They think that if they don’t know their flaws, they don’t have any. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that these folks make the same mistakes over and over again. Other people evade constructive feedback by surrounding themselves with yes people. They’d rather receive confirmation of their own ideas than be challenged by opposing views. While that might do wonders for their ego, it does little to advance their cause. The fact is, surrounding yourself with yes people is like talking to yourself.

Feedback should be welcomed rather than feared.

In fact, we should thank folks who make the effort to nurture us with their valuable input –– even if it hurts at times. How do you expect to become a better person if you don’t know where to begin? The truth is, practice doesn’t make perfect if you’re doing it wrong. Feedback enables us to learn about our shortcomings and take corrective action. Don’t bury your head…nourish it. That’s how excellence is born.

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https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2014/01/04/practice-better-ways-to-say-i-dont-know-in-the-classroom/

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Live and Learn

The great thing about self-directed, sometimes called informal, learning is that you own it. You determine what you want to learn, establish when the learning will take place, and have the opportunity to tailor it to your personal needs. There’s no forced curriculum, there are no required exams, and there are absolutely no grades — except the ones you give yourself. Your only test is how much knowledge you’re able to soak in and apply to your professional and personal life.

The world is at your fingertips. All you have to do is open your eyes and ears and begin taking it all in. The fact is, learning is as much an attitude as it is an activity. As the Buddhist proverb says, “When the student is ready, the master appears.”

So, promise yourself to begin today. Open your mind to new horizons — energize yourself by connecting with the world around you — and promise yourself that you’ll strive for excellence. It’ll change your perspective, it’ll change your potential, and it’ll change your life.

As Vernon Howard once said, “Always walk through life as if you have something new to learn and you will.” Live and learn!

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https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2015/03/28/learning-to-learn-for-my-professional-development-i-did-it-my-way/

Waste no time in addressing these items.

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Make yourself proud. Give everything 110%. It’s the extra 10% that everyone remembers. Here are 12 things that you can do, today, to make yourself proud.

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https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2015/03/28/learning-to-learn-for-my-professional-development-i-did-it-my-way/

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Fairness affects everything that we do. It shapes our judgment, impacts our credibility, and affects our ability to trust. Are you fair-minded?

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In the world in which we live, everything has to be done right away. What's the rush? It's time to wake up and smell the coffee.

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