Share your favorite line or story stated by Tony Robbins in his talk, Why We Do What We Do.What does this mean for you in your personal life? How can this be applied in your professional work?
"If we get the right emotion, we can get ourselves to do anything." In my personal life this hits home because I have learned that the lens through which I see what is happening around me determines how I either respond or react. I have realized that when I slow down and seek to understand through other's perspectives, my subsequent emotions are greatly affected. Then, depending upon the story I tell myself those emotions can either propel me into a positive response or a negative reaction. The same is true at school. That is why it is vitally important to make sure that I am meeting my self-care needs so I can show up for those in my presence. The more I look for the good, the more goodness and opportunities I'll find. The stronger the emotion and the more we care, the greater the response as well. Love and connection-that's what I am striving for in all areas of my life. To be a positive light and to spread that emotion to all. It's not me, it's we.
"If we get the right emotion, we can get ourselves to do anything."
When I think about emotion, it plays such an important role in my every day life both at home and at work. We get to choose what emotion we'd like to portray ourselves as every day. I strive to be positive in my daily routines. I strive to create nurturing environments at home and school. I strive for connection, positivity, being present in the moment, and to be the BEST possible version of myself that I can be every day.
My favorite comment was "The secret of life is about giving. It's not about me--it is about we" In both my job teaching kindergarten and being a mom/wife, I feel great about caring for everyone. I always want to make sure that everyone else is taken care of before I think of my own needs. I look at myself as God's helper on earth--to help others and love other as myself. At Christmastime, I enjoy seeing the excitement in giving the gifts instead of receiving. Makes my heart so happy.
Talk of understanding yourself to better understand others, giving is living, creating your web and exploring your emotions all tie very nicely into the first lesson I work with my high school Life Skills class using the 'Five Love Languages for Teens'. I firmly believe figuring out your space in the grand scheme of life is important for these kids. Not only that, but they need to put their top 10 people on the study guide and keep them in mind to 'expand the web'. Then we move onto regulate and understanding emotions, and putting all of that into use in our adult lives and careers. If I believe these to be important enough to learn for my students, I of course, believe them to be of use in my life as well.
I enjoyed this speaker. The part that stood out to me was "connection and love" and figuring out what drives you. My family is my world and as my kids get older and I get older, I am appreciating the moments more and am trying to slow down. I went into teaching to make a difference. The most important thing to me is that our classroom is a safe place and that my students know they are loved and I believe in them. We begin and end our day with "Today is a good day for a good day." I try to find the good in life and be grateful.
My favorite line from this video was "The secret of life is about giving. It's not about me, it's about we." I have been a teacher for 42 years and one of the reasons I love my job so much as a TK teacher is because when you are working with four and five year olds, it is absolutely about giving, and I thoroughly enjoy every minute of it. Teaching is the epitome of: it's not about me, it's about we. In teaching, my professional life, I take care of those around me, and I do the same in my personal life - I take care of my family with my whole heart and nothing makes me happier! Giving just comes naturally when you are a parent, I believe.
My favorite part of this speech was "the defining factor is never resources. It's resourcefulness." It's about what you do with what you are given. You can choose to make excuses about lack of resources or you can do what you can with the resources you have. A positive attitude is worth more than physical resources.
You can know and not do... Defining factor is never resources but resourcefulness... What am I going to focus on? What does it mean? What are you going to do? Emotions create action. Patterns become obvious. When do people really start to live?
My favorite part is when he said, "What are we going to focus on?" I was convicted when he challenged us to think about someone we know that no matter what happens they always (either positive or negative). I tend to over-react. I realize that I spend a lot of energy "focusing" on things that I can't control and ultimately waste my time and energy. I want to live in gratefulness - I want to really "live" - EVERY day. I want to be a leader at work that leads with positive emotion and that helps the team focus on our impact and what really matters!
What a great talk!! First, unrelated to what I want to write about, it struck me when he mentioned "therapy culture." He then said that they (the crowd gathered) weren't part of that, but made a generalization that the culture is a therapy culture. I was a bit baffled, because I have read and listened to a great deal of the harms of "therapy culture" today, especially with children. That's when I noticed the year that this talk was given. A great deal has changed in our society since 2006!
I appreciated the most when he spoke about the "art of fulfillment." I think this is the thing my heart yearns for the most. I want to live a fulfilling life. We probably all do. We want to be appreciated for our contribution in the world. He then talked about our need for connection and love. This is an essential need for all of us. I recently read "Get Married" by Brad Wilcox. In the book, he writes in great detail about the benefits of marriage, but especially the love and connection that comes from marriage (generally). Robbins also talked about the needs of the spirit, which also made me think of Wilcox's book. We need growth, and we need to contribute beyond ourselves. When we are in meaningful relationships with others (marriage, friendships, teaching, etc.), we are hopefully able to grow through experiences. Hopefully, because of our support systems, we are also able to grow with confidence and to contribute beyond ourselves.
"So, emotion is it. And if we get the right emotion, we can get ourselves to do anything. If you're creative, playful, fun enough, can you get through to anybody, yes or no?" This quote really hit home for me. I have been working really hard on mindfulness in both my personal and professional life. I am finding more and more that my emotional state drives my day to day living!
One of my favorite things that he said was that the art of fulfillment includes appreciation and contribution. When we contribute and give to others in the world, we gain purpose and are filled up ourselves. In my personal life, when I am giving and loving in my relationships, those relationships can grow. I feel more connection and feel loved, and so does the person I have a relationship with. In my professional life, I feel satisfied when I get to the end of the day and feel like I have helped someone in some way. As a current health coach, I use a lot of motivational questioning like Robbins talked about. I appreciated the simplicity of asking what you are going to focus on and what action you want to take to make progress toward your goal. This can apply to anything in life. In work, it can be challenging to find the balance of giving yourself but not sacrificing your physical and mental health and happiness in life. This was part of my decision to take a break from teaching. I really appreciate that this book acknowledges unrealistic expectations on teachers and gives very explicit suggestions on how to find more work life balance.
My favorite line from the video was “The secret to living is giving. Life is not about me, it’s about we.” In my personal life, this is a great reminder for when things get tiring or stressful with parenting and marriage. All of the little tasks (giving) that I do every day all day for my family are important and this was a great reminder of that. To me it is fulfilling to contribute to something beyond myself. I also think this is the perfect reminder for when I’m having a hard time in the classroom with a parent or disagree with a coworker. We’re all there for the same important purpose!
Share your favorite line or story stated by Tony Robbins in his talk, Why We Do What We Do. What does this mean for you in your personal life? How can this be applied in your professional work? First I am surprised by the year of the Ted Talk, it has almost been 20 years. Not that this isn't relevant, but I do think time has changed quite a bit since this was filmed. I feel like this one could be updated. "Decisions create destiny" Ouch, this one hit home for me. I went back to college during my divorce and completed a lot of schooling in a short period of time. If I could go back I would have researched a lot more and gone a different direction than education. I can't change that now so I need to start thinking now how can my "decisions create destiny," now.
My favorite part was our fourth need, connection and love. If we do not make connections with others and have relationships, we cannot feel satisfied and happy. In my personal life, that means staying close with my family. In my professional life, I need to work on making more connections with coworkers and students. As a librarian a good portion of my job is taking care of the physical needs of the space and collection. The tasks and “stuff” get in the way of me being present with my students and coworkers and in turn my connections lack. Having connections is the source of actual happiness and making change in my career - and needs to stay at the forefront of my mind.
My favorite line was "The secret of life is about giving. It's not about me, it's about we." This is important to remember in all aspects of my life. In my personal life it is so true that it's so often the "little things" that mean the most. It's a good reminder that giving to others is what life is about. In my career things definitely run more smoothly when I focus on my why. I chose to be a teacher to contribute beyond myself. This talk was a good reminder of that.
The secret to living is giving. Life isn’t about me, it’s about we. We all want to have and desire to have a purpose in life. We want to contribute to society and help people grow and do better. In my personal like I need to take care of myself, so I can also take care of and support my family and loved ones. In my work life, it also means I can’t help my students if I haven’t helped myself. I want to help them because that’s something that comes naturally. However, if I’m running on empty, I won’t be able to give students what they need to grow and learn.
I really liked the quote "Emotion. If you have the right emotion you can do anything." I resonated with this quote because this past year I have been trying to have a more positive both at work and at home! I personally feel when my attitude is more positive things go smoother in my classroom and the kids and myself get more work done!
There were a couple of quotes from this video that really stuck with me and made me think deeper about the people we are surrounded by daily and how the function of our behavior is driven by emotion. The first quote that stuck out to me was "the reason we grow is so we have something to give of value." In my personal life, I always have goals to be a better version of myself from the day before. It feels good to grow and benefit from reaching your goal, but I think maybe the deeper translation is that by meeting our goals (learn sign language, fitness goals, professional goals, etc.) we are able to then share our experiences and connect with others. Achieving goals are related to emotions in all aspects.
The second quote that resonated with me was at the very end of the talk when he said "you need to not just understand, but appreciate what's driving other people. That's the only way the world's going to change." As a special education teacher, it is so important to try to understand how students are feeling, and why they are responding with emotions. We often look for the function of behavior, when perhaps it may be more beneficial to understand and appreciate the emotion behind the reaction. Even in communication with parents, understanding and appreciating their side of a situation is imperative in the relationships built with them. When working with co-workers with differing views, it is also important to appreciate the differences they bring to the table, and to understand what emotions are driving their decisions and interactions throughout the school day as well.
"You don't work in your self interest all the time." When I think about why I do the things I do I like to say because it makes me happy or if I didn't do it I would feel stressed. However, that's not always the case. I often do the things I do because it's that third rail. Standards that I have made for myself that really aren't necessary. Who tells you to do all the laundry in one day? A standard that I made myself that isn't going to affect anyone if I split laundry up on multiple days. I do this at work too. Who says you have to have everything for the next week prepped and ready before you leave on Friday? Can't I save some of the copies for the next week? Who is it going to hurt? What is the MVP? Take care of yourself first.
Something that stood out to me was when Tony said "The secret to life is about giving. It isn't about me, it's about 'we'" This stuck with me because I have this outlook on life when it comes to my friends, family and even my students. I love to give and see the reactions of those who I give to. It brings me joy to see my students light up when they are gifted something from me. Especially those students who I know are not gifted much in their home lives. I think this quote is great to live by. It doesn't mean you can't take care of yourself as well. But when we give, our hearts fill with such joy.
I thought the part Tony shared about how our decisions shape our destiny. If we make different decisions, how our life would be completely different. I think about my decision to pursue a degree in elementary education. My life would look drastically different had I chosen a different profession. I think everything happens for a reason, and every decision is important. Even a bad decision will show you wisdom and growth. I apply this mindset in my professional work by keeping a positive mindset and focusing on the good things, every day. I can impact my destiny to make myself and others around me happy.
I appreciated the comment "the defining factor is never resources; its resourcefulness. " How many of us sit at school and are not given all the resources we would love to have in our classrooms? But that never seems to stop teachers from reaching their students. Like Tony refers to, that is because of of resourcefulness. We all have a certain amount of resources, and what we do with them is our resourcefulness. In my home and my life, I would like to think that is the reason we can make through each day. We need to consider all the options, not just the ones we see or have in front of us.
I watched this video three times in order to nail down and answer for this, although I took so many notes I go back and forth on what to use. Ultimately "Decisions Shape Destiny" I think about this often, and I go back to that there is a reason for everything and that God has a plan. I may not understand what it is at that moment, but there is a reason. When I changed school districts, many years ago, not only did I give up the comfort of teaching in the community that I live in but I started over teaching an all new curriculum. This changed both my personal life and my professional life.
I really appreciated this line. "The secret of life is about giving. It's not about me-it is about we!" Well said. How often we get so caught up in our world and our families and forget about the other people in need. There are many people in need and during the school year it is hard to be there for everyone. I love to bring meals to people, but during the school year I find it hard to get them all out there to others. So I still bring food but not as much as I do during the summer months. I have found that even when I bring a meal a few months later, the families are still so thankful that you are still thinking about them. I think about how many parents remember me during the school year. Bringing in a coffee in the morning, or sending a text to have a great day, or bringing a cookie for conferences that their child made before the parents came. It is good to give back!!
“The secret to living is giving. Life is not about me, it’s about we.” This is the line that stood out to me. As I reflect on my teaching career, I have with many students that are the "have nots" and many times they struggled because they felt embarrassed when their parents couldn't afford the basic school materials for their child. I always make sure I have plenty of pencils and I always hoard the 15 cent notebooks from Walmart, to make sure I can help those who do not have the means to get their supplies. In life, I feel we constantly worry about competing with the "Joneses". But in reality, it is not about me it is about my family, my students, my animals on my ranch and everything in my surroundings. It is okay to want but is it necessary? Helping others, seeing those students light up when they do not have the worry, it makes you feel good and if you can help, why not?
My favorite part of this Ted Talk was when Tony Robbins said, "decision is the ultimate power." I also liked when he talked about the 3 decisions of destiny, it was super interesting to look at it from the perspective that we are making these 3 decisions all the time in our lives. What we focus on, what it means, and how/if it is going to happen. Even the slightest change of decisions in the past can could change what my life and teaching career looks like now. For me personally it stems back to my faith in God and trusting that His plan for me is the right one. The decisions made all happen for a reason. I am a teacher for a reason, and deciding to show up and be the best teacher I can be for my students is super important to me.
The quote “We've got to remind ourselves that decision is the ultimate power.” seemed to stick out to me and then the explanations after. I feel like I’m kind of the person who blames not having the resources for fulfillment or completion, the money, the tech, the time. It's interesting to think about it more being about resourcefulness and emotion you put behind it. Which leads to his three questions for decision making. “ What are you going to focus on?”, “What does it mean?” , and “Is it the end or the beginning?” These three questions will help me to focus on decision making at home and school. Hoping these will give me the feeling of being more in control!
The quote that stuck with me is "the reason we grow is so we have something of value to give". I have never thought of it in that way, but now hearing it makes it click for me. We should be pushing ourselves and our students to grow academically, socially, and emotionally to add value to their lives and communities. Without this growth we are stagnant and not living to our fullest and truest potential.
“If we get the right emotion, we can get through anything” is a great quote from this talk. Having a positive or “I can do it” mindset can play a major role in how successful you are in your task. In my experiences having that positive mindset makes me feel better than going into something with a negative mindset. Being a Debbie downer brings other people down with you. I am guilty of this, and I have a hard time expressing emotion but you can tell who enjoys working at their job and who is just there for the money. These emotions can have a positive and negative affect at home too. As mentioned in other blog posts, changing careers and having to take tests to has been a huge stress on me and my family. Going into studying or even taking the test with a positive “ I can do it” attitude makes you feel confident.
Share your favorite line or story stated by Tony Robbins in his talk, Why We Do What We Do. What does this mean for you in your personal life? How can this be applied in your professional work?
"Strangers care." It was an incredible story about the food that showed up at his house for the holiday. The gesture, his response, his dad's response. It was all so real and so honest. And his ability to understand that strangers do care feels a lot like what we do in education. Every year, I have 140 new students show up in my room, I embrace the student, their families, their culture, their learning styles, and choose to do the best I can for 180 days. Strangers care. It's amazing what he did with that whole mentality to feed so many people. It really is those types of stories that remind us how good humanity can be. Education is part of that.
I think my favorite story is the last one where he is talking about the interaction at his workshop the day after 911. It kind of ties in with the story form his youth about how strangers care. People do truly care about other people they just do not always know how to best communicate that they care. When we let our emotions control us we are not effective or productive. We often spiral out of control. When we utilize our emotions to motivate us in a positive way. When we can evaluate our emotions we become productive. This is how we can utilize emotion in our professional and personal lives as well. Reflect on and evaluate our emotions. Do not make snap decisions in the moment on based on these emotions. Take some time to think about what is causing them how they can best be utilized to help make our families better and how they can best be utilized to make our schools better.
One of my favorite lines was,"emotion is the force of life'. What are we doing in life to make a difference? Are we giving? Emotion is the action taken. One thing we are missing is resourcefulness.
One line I thought was meaningful was "decisions shape destiny". In my personal life I realize that decisions I make are what determine my state in life. As Tony said, some of those decisions are conscious and some unconscious, some I can control and some I can't control. But whether things in my life are good or bad, there is always another decision to be made, and that decision can change your life. At school, I can make decisions as to how I react to different situations, how much time I spend on school work, etc, but I need to realize that I can make choices that can make teaching meaningful, fun and worthwhile to me and the students.
“Contribute beyond ourselves by giving.” This statement from Tony Robbins truly resonates with me. I believe in living with a giving heart in my personal life and my professional life. It might differ at times, but people are the world, and I want to make life better for anyone I encounter. If everyone would contribute and grow, our world would look so different. It is all about mindset and overcoming obstacles; just like Tony shared about his life. . . . his father chose a path(leaving his family, not accepting charity), and Tony chose a better path by making a difference in the lives of others. It is all about mindset. Every day is a blessing, and how can we make it better for others and ourselves?
"The defining factor is never resources—it's resourcefulness."
This statement couldn't be truer for teachers. Rarely do we have all the resources we need or want in our classrooms. So, we adapt. We ask and hope to receive, we purchase items ourselves, or we find creative ways to make what we have work. Resourcefulness isn't an option in teaching—it's a necessity.
I once worked at a school where the classroom computers still ran on Windows XP. They were the oldest, slowest machines I had ever used—and we only had one per classroom. To meet writing standards, I had to build a schedule that allowed students to take turns using that single computer. Creating typed, printed, and published research reports with just one device was a serious challenge. Buying new computers for all my students wasn’t realistic, so I had to get resourceful.
Teachers aren’t defined by what they’re given—we're defined by how we use what we have. Given the opportunity, people will rise. Success doesn't require the newest or best tools; it requires meeting basic needs and making the most of them.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs reminds us that if basic physiological needs aren’t met, it’s hard to progress. But once those essentials are in place, growth and achievement become possible.
Tony Robbins shared many powerful statements throughout his talk. There were several that stood out to me, but one I keep going back to. We've got to remind ourselves that decision is the ultimate power. This is a lesson that I repeatedly remind myself, as well as try to teach my students. My reaction, my choices, the decisions that I make, all can change the course or direction of my day/year/life. We have to make a conscious decision every day to show up for ourselves and make the choices that will keep moving us forward on the path that we want to take.
Share your favorite line or story stated by Tony Robbins in his talk, Why We Do What We Do. What does this mean for you in your personal life? How can this be applied in your professional work? One thing that stood out to me was when he said the reason we grow is so we have something of value to give and finding the fulfillment in that. I think emotions play a big part in how you can grow. Sometimes the obstacles we go through and how you handle it can set examples for others. Trying to be positive in all situations and the decisions we make can help us to make an impact on our family members and students as well. It's important to understand not only how we feel but appreciate how others might be feeling and that together we can make a difference.
"Your model of the world is what shapes you long term. Your model of the world is the filter. That's what's shaping us. It makes people make decisions. To influence somebody, we need to know what already influences them."
This quote from Tony Robbins immediately stood out to me because I think it's fascinating to consider from both a personal standpoint and when considering others' perspectives. What IS my/our model of the world? How is it shaping me/others? I like what he said about the 6 human needs and in my personal life, I would like to reflect on those needs and determine which one drives me the most and why. I would like to take a look at my model of the world and see how that is influencing me.
Similarly, I think considering these questions for students could be helpful in terms of motivating them and figuring out what drives them.
I like the statements regarding emotion. Having a positive attitude, ensuring that I make time to have a laugh, smile, etc while at school changes how I view the day and participate in the day. Emotion is powerful. It drives me to keep at something that I feel will benefit a student(s). Being in special education, you learn that you need to be resourcefu bc usually the resources are not available. This applies to my personal life, also, especially with cattle farming. A friend says, "Be broke and broke at the same time." Your attitude and resourcefulness gets you through anything.
"Decision is the ultimate power." This has been said in many different ways, many different times, but it is a good reminder. I tend to put a negative spin on things, and that is a choice. I can be happier and more productive by changing that choice. This is certainly true at school. I need to keep working on making a positive choice about the people I work with and decisions that are made (or often not made), not only for my own good, but for the good of my students as well.
The quote that stood out to me was when he talked about how decisions shape our destiny. It's so interesting to think about how one decision can change everything in your life. It really makes you step back and think before making decisions, but especially big decisions. Teachers make hundreds of decisions a day and I'm certain I make about that many at home as well. I think if we can setup routines in our professional and personal life to be able to remove small decision making out of the equation, then we will have more of a capacity to take more time on the big decisions we need to make every day.
Share your favorite line or story stated by Tony Robbins in his talk, Why We Do What We Do. What does this mean for you in your personal life? How can this be applied in your professional work?
We've got to remind ourselves that decision is the ultimate power. I once had a principal that ended the morning announcements with, "Have a great day...or not. The choice is yours." That hit me hard when I was going through my divorce and custody battles. I was so depressed that I could barely get out of bed in the morning. But every day I made the choice to get up and smile and be present for my students. I frequently got through the day with a fake it or make it thought process. Even on those days, I usually ended with a real good mood.
I also make a thousand decisions a day regarding my students. All decisions are made through the lens of, "Is this best for students?" Decisions must be made with care because of all the power that each decision carries.
Share your favorite line or story shared by Carlos Hidalgo in his talk, Setting Work-Life Boundaries. Where are you at in the process of establishing work-life boundaries? When do you feel like you are actually living life whole-heartedly?
Number 5 - You must grow I truly believe that we contstantly have to be evolving and growing in every aspect of your life. You grow and evolve as an educator when you learn new practices and then in return implement them into your classroom. We are learning new ways to teach students and teachers need to be a part of that in order for our students to be successful. I also think you need to grow in your personal life too. Relationships change and as parents you grow along side your children because the circumstances and things you do with them changes. You also learn things about yourself once you become a parent you have to work together as a family to run a successful home life.
One of my favorite lines from Robbins' TED Talk is - "The secret to living is giving."
This really resonates with me in my personal life as a mom. Raising a toddler requires so much time, energy, and love, sometimes without immediate rewards. But remembering that giving is at the heart of meaningful living reminds me that even the smallest acts of love and care matter. Whether it’s rocking my daughter to sleep or reading her the same book or watching the same movie for the fifth time, those moments are full of purpose. Keeping these moments sacred remind me that these times are non-negotiable and work is off the table during these times with my daughter.
As an ELL teacher, this line also hits home. I give my students support, encouragement, and the tools they need to find their voices, especially in a classroom where English isn't their first language. Teaching can be demanding, but when I focus on giving with intention rather than just checking off tasks, I feel more connected and fulfilled.
This quote reminds me that both at home and in my classroom, giving doesn't mean giving everything or burning out, it means showing up with heart, being present, and knowing that those efforts can have a lasting impact.
My favorite line from Tony Robbins’ talk is when he says “We do what we do because of the way we feel.” That stuck with me because it reminds me that underneath every action, there’s an emotion driving it. In my personal life, especially as a dad, this helps me be more aware of my feelings before reacting. When my daughter is fussy or my day gets overwhelming, I try to pause and figure out what I’m really feeling instead of just reacting out of stress. Professionally, knowing that students and players are driven by emotional needs helps me connect better with them. If I see a student acting out or a player struggling, I try to remember it’s about what they’re feeling and not just the behavior. That means I can meet them where they are and encourage them in ways that help them feel seen and valued, not just told what to do.
"The secret of life is about giving. It's not about me - it is about we."
In my personal life, if I am in a rut and feeling down, I find it helpful to get the focus off myself and go out and find ways to help others or do something for someone else. That almost always makes me feel better and more fulfilled while also making someone else's life better. Additionally, it deepens my appreciation for the supportive and collaborative team I have at school.
Many thoughts but I will quote "What is it that drives you in your life today?...Emotion is the force of life." Yes, I am very self-motivated, a work-a-hol-ic, perfectionist, and emotional. I always said they were a blessing and a curse. I can find and see a need and go after it, but not always successfully because i also have many disabilities I am finding out about. As I am now in a different season of life and have different responsibilities I have slowed down, let others take over in some things, and more patient and kind when events are out of my control at home and at school. I am trying.
I connected with Tony Robbins idea of the 6 or 7 needs that we all have, and how we respond to these needs in different ways, some positively and others negatively. How we want certainty in our lives, but also some uncertainty (variety) too. We all want to feel critical significance, connection and love. Why is it that some people do this in destructive ways? And then he talked about "emotion is the force of life." We can feel empowered or disempowered. As a teacher, we hope to build connections with students so that students feel empowered and make positive choices and decisions everyday. Unfortunately, some students would rather get their acceptance through negative behaviors to attention. Personally, I can look at my life and see each of these needs as being met in my own life. I have acheived many of my goals in life because I have the resources and emotion to make these things happen. I think this is also called self-motivation/intrinsic motivation.
He says that emotion is the most important thing. It drives our decisions and passions. "Emotion is the force of life." What makes us feel like doing what we are doing? I love teaching, but there are days when I just don't feel like it. What do I need to remotivate myself to start again? I school, I remind myself why am I there. The kids....I have former students' names that come to my mind. I am here for the Tanners in my classroom. That thought gets my emotions going in a positive way. Something that helps me in my personal life is thinking of my grandson. What does Cooper need? Then I can think of all the wonderful things about my grandson. That helps me think in a positive way about the things in my personal life.
Share your favorite line or story stated by Tony Robbins in his talk, Why We Do What We Do. What does this mean for you in your personal life? How can this be applied in your professional work?
Growth and contribution are keys to fulfillment, stood out to me. In my personal and professional life, I always feel better about myself when I am learning as well as helping others. As a teacher, I am helping others each and every day and in various ways and I am always learning!
I enjoyed listening to Tony Robbins. My favorite line from his talk was, “The secret to living is giving.” This line is important to me in my personal life, because at the end of my life, I want to know that my life had meaning and that I made a positive impact on others. I enjoy giving to others and volunteering to help causes in my community, because it gives me such joy and fulfillment that no material possession or amount of money can give me. I can apply this to my professional work by doing things for my students when I see there is a need not being met such as when I’ve purchased gloves for my students who did not have them, or worked with a local organization to help coordinate delivering a mattress to a student who did not have one and was sleeping on the floor. I will continue to look for ways to help students in my classroom or individuals in my community.
What I learned and took away the most is that "emotion is the force of life" With our minds we can rationalize anything and make anything happen. We can work with our interest and that is what I mainly do but sometimes my emotions come into play and changes how I do things. I always want to make dreams come true but know that it comes with obstacles. I took into account when he said a factor can we our past and what has happened and our future success. It is not what shapes us. It does have an influence on us but we can change it ... With me, I had a great childhood but also had one burden of loosing a parent at a young age but I don't think it defines who I am. I was given a huge obstacle but it was something to overcome and deal with in the right ways with the right support, resources and encouragement. I was given so much love and support from not only family but my teachers and staff at my school. They helped me so much throughout all of this and helped me during one of the hardest parts of my life. It was not what they said or did but how they made me feel and that it was ok. That a huge part of my success and something I want to give back to others dealing with difficult situations.
Share your favorite line or story stated by Tony Robbins in his talk, Why We Do What We Do. What does this mean for you in your personal life? How can this be applied in your professional work? Some lines from Tony Robbins that stood out to me included: "Emotion is a force of life." I feel emotion is something that reflects a person; even a person's demeanor. This applies to my professional work in the classroom. Sometimes I will share how my morning/evenings went; good or bad. (Locked my keys in the car, my kids will be coming home this weekend.) They hopefully see we all have our good and bad moments. "We can make anything happen" How we present ourselves in and outside the classroom can make things happen. To tie in with that; "Decisions shaped our culture." Make good decisions, they pay off.
What is it that drives you in life today". That's a great question because if you don't have an answer that is related to your profession you might want to find another profession. If you are simply going through the motions each and everyday it is time to step outside your comfort zone and find your drive and once you start doing that more answers to the question will probably arrive. I need to do a job that makes a difference. I have worked jobs that have not and my drive and passion are not at my best. So I knew when I went to college that I needed a job that gave back and I truly have the only job I would ever want.
There were many key moments in this, and I had to watch it several times (with transcript) to fully get some of the details. At 3:15 “but when it comes to fulfillment- that’s an art. The reason is , it’s about appreciation and contribution. You can only feel so much by yourself.” … and Al Gore’s contribution was funny and witty and well-timed. :-)
I also connected to his concept of resourcefulness - this is good, I can use this to stay in the game when working to motivate students and effect change with my staff. Robbins gave an interesting perspective on violence, and filtered it down so simply that it is easy to understand, remember and even use to explain to another in a different setting.
Mostly in minute 13:00, the fifth and sixth needs: grow and contribute, the needs of the spirit will be the biggest personal takeaway. I have tried to keep learning throughout my life, intending that the learning will lead to growth. I am a big one for reflection, both professionally and personally. Occasionally the reflection does lead to shame and embarrassment, because I could have and should have done something better. However, the word ‘accident ‘ exists because humans have been erring since the beginning of time, not always doing hurtful things with intention.
The element of ‘contribute’ has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. I was raised and am wired to being a contributor, to give rather than step up to take, although I am learning to take as well. Sometimes, I can let my expectation that people should contribute frustrate me when I see others not contributing; this however, is for a different discussion. :-)
To offer help, resources of mine, to contribute, has been a personal reinforcement that I have a level of abundance, more than I alone need. This does create a beneficial connection between me and the person / event to which I am contributing. Reflecting upon this satisfied feeling also helped me realize that I can recognize, acknowledge and affirm others’ contributions, building the same positive feelings inside them.
“We can change our lives. We can do, have, and be exactly what we wish.”
This quote is simple but really powerful - Personally, it reminds me that change is always possible if I’m willing to take action. It reinforces the idea that I’m in control of my growth, not my past or circumstances.
Professionally i see it in the form of stuents - no matter their background or struggles, they have the potential to grow, succeed, and redefine themselves. It pushes me to create a classroom where students feel that they can do great things.
Favorite line: when he talked about the fourth need - connection and love
What does this mean for your personal life: In my personal life, connection and love keep me grounded and focused on things that matter.
Professional work: The need for connection and love is very evident in my classroom. Showing love and growing connections creates the positive classroom environment needed for learning on all levels. Love and connection between teacher and student and also student to student.
Share your favorite line or story stated by Tony Robbins in his talk, Why We Do What We Do. What does this mean for you in your personal life? How can this be applied in your professional work?
My favorite part of this speech was "the defining factor is never resources. It's resourcefulness." One of my favorite quotations of all time is attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt: "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." I put that on my desk when I was a new teacher and I still have it today. It dovetails nicely with Tony Robbins' assertion; what we have isn't nearly as important as what we DO with what we have. Teachers never have enough time, resources, help, and so on. But you can either get bitter, and complain about all the stuff you don't have and all the stuff you have to do, or you can get better, and just be resourceful with what you do have. In my personal life, I want to make sure I'm modeling this, especially for my children. We don't, won't, and can't have everything. So, we need to be grateful for what we do have and make sure we use it to the best of our abilities.
“The secret to living is giving and it’s not about me but we.” I am a giver by nature so it is my downfall. I give you much of my time to others and none to myself. My take is we give but we also need to work together to lighten the load on everyone. This is a work in progress for me. At home, I love to give to my family because they are everything to me. I love to give of my time and my resources. However, I need to be aware that sometimes this takes away from things I like to do and thus, takes away from my own self care.
My favorite line was "The secret of life is about giving. It's not about me--it is about we." I am constantly putting the needs of my family before my own and being able to care for my family brings me joy and fulfillment.
In my professional work, I feel like this line could have a different meaning. At school I feel like this line is more about working together. Giving to coworker in order to benefit our students. Whether we are giving of our time, our advice, or just listening we need to be there for each other and help each other out.
After listening, I really appreciated “The secret to living is giving. Life is not about me, it’s about we.” I love to give to others. I feel such a joy knowing that I am making a difference.
I try hard to do this in my personal life. I am a mother who will do anything for her children. I want to teach my children to carry on that love for giving to others. I pray every night that they will do this with their friends, those they are dating and those who they encounter in the community. I don't feel God put us on this Earth to be selfish. He wants us to give to one another and to show that love for one another.
This can also play out in the professional setting. As educators, WE should all be working towards the same goals and successes as a school. Working together, collaborating, and working for the students, sets up a GREAT workplace and an environment the students will thrive in.
My favorite line was, “If we get the right emotion, we can get ourselves to do anything.” In my personal life this means that I can change my attitude to be more positive. My husband is always so positive and people want to be around him because he’s in a good mood and upbeat. If I get the right emotion and am positive, I am able to get more tasks done and feel good about doing them. When I'm positive, I believe in myself and motivate myself to accomplish tasks and meet my goals. If I’m positive when I go to the gym, I feel like my workout helped me and leads me to my goals. I can apply this in my professional work by choosing to be positive when things don’t go my way or we get tasked with a new project that seems daunting. I’ve found that when I surround myself with more positive people, I tend to get the right emotion and feel like I’m doing my job well. I can accomplish anything that comes my way when I have a positive attitude.
"If we get the right emotion, we can get ourselves to do anything."
ReplyDeleteIn my personal life this hits home because I have learned that the lens through which I see what is happening around me determines how I either respond or react. I have realized that when I slow down and seek to understand through other's perspectives, my subsequent emotions are greatly affected. Then, depending upon the story I tell myself those emotions can either propel me into a positive response or a negative reaction. The same is true at school. That is why it is vitally important to make sure that I am meeting my self-care needs so I can show up for those in my presence. The more I look for the good, the more goodness and opportunities I'll find. The stronger the emotion and the more we care, the greater the response as well. Love and connection-that's what I am striving for in all areas of my life. To be a positive light and to spread that emotion to all. It's not me, it's we.
"If we get the right emotion, we can get ourselves to do anything."
ReplyDeleteWhen I think about emotion, it plays such an important role in my every day life both at home and at work. We get to choose what emotion we'd like to portray ourselves as every day. I strive to be positive in my daily routines. I strive to create nurturing environments at home and school. I strive for connection, positivity, being present in the moment, and to be the BEST possible version of myself that I can be every day.
My favorite comment was "The secret of life is about giving. It's not about me--it is about we" In both my job teaching kindergarten and being a mom/wife, I feel great about caring for everyone. I always want to make sure that everyone else is taken care of before I think of my own needs. I look at myself as God's helper on earth--to help others and love other as myself. At Christmastime, I enjoy seeing the excitement in giving the gifts instead of receiving. Makes my heart so happy.
ReplyDeleteTalk of understanding yourself to better understand others, giving is living, creating your web and exploring your emotions all tie very nicely into the first lesson I work with my high school Life Skills class using the 'Five Love Languages for Teens'. I firmly believe figuring out your space in the grand scheme of life is important for these kids. Not only that, but they need to put their top 10 people on the study guide and keep them in mind to 'expand the web'. Then we move onto regulate and understanding emotions, and putting all of that into use in our adult lives and careers. If I believe these to be important enough to learn for my students, I of course, believe them to be of use in my life as well.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this speaker. The part that stood out to me was "connection and love" and figuring out what drives you. My family is my world and as my kids get older and I get older, I am appreciating the moments more and am trying to slow down. I went into teaching to make a difference. The most important thing to me is that our classroom is a safe place and that my students know they are loved and I believe in them. We begin and end our day with "Today is a good day for a good day." I try to find the good in life and be grateful.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite line from this video was "The secret of life is about giving. It's not about me, it's about we." I have been a teacher for 42 years and one of the reasons I love my job so much as a TK teacher is because when you are working with four and five year olds, it is absolutely about giving, and I thoroughly enjoy every minute of it. Teaching is the epitome of: it's not about me, it's about we. In teaching, my professional life, I take care of those around me, and I do the same in my personal life - I take care of my family with my whole heart and nothing makes me happier! Giving just comes naturally when you are a parent, I believe.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of this speech was "the defining factor is never resources. It's resourcefulness." It's about what you do with what you are given. You can choose to make excuses about lack of resources or you can do what you can with the resources you have. A positive attitude is worth more than physical resources.
ReplyDeleteYou can know and not do... Defining factor is never resources but resourcefulness... What am I going to focus on? What does it mean? What are you going to do? Emotions create action. Patterns become obvious. When do people really start to live?
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part is when he said, "What are we going to focus on?" I was convicted when he challenged us to think about someone we know that no matter what happens they always (either positive or negative). I tend to over-react. I realize that I spend a lot of energy "focusing" on things that I can't control and ultimately waste my time and energy. I want to live in gratefulness - I want to really "live" - EVERY day. I want to be a leader at work that leads with positive emotion and that helps the team focus on our impact and what really matters!
What a great talk!! First, unrelated to what I want to write about, it struck me when he mentioned "therapy culture." He then said that they (the crowd gathered) weren't part of that, but made a generalization that the culture is a therapy culture. I was a bit baffled, because I have read and listened to a great deal of the harms of "therapy culture" today, especially with children. That's when I noticed the year that this talk was given. A great deal has changed in our society since 2006!
ReplyDeleteI appreciated the most when he spoke about the "art of fulfillment." I think this is the thing my heart yearns for the most. I want to live a fulfilling life. We probably all do. We want to be appreciated for our contribution in the world. He then talked about our need for connection and love. This is an essential need for all of us. I recently read "Get Married" by Brad Wilcox. In the book, he writes in great detail about the benefits of marriage, but especially the love and connection that comes from marriage (generally). Robbins also talked about the needs of the spirit, which also made me think of Wilcox's book. We need growth, and we need to contribute beyond ourselves. When we are in meaningful relationships with others (marriage, friendships, teaching, etc.), we are hopefully able to grow through experiences. Hopefully, because of our support systems, we are also able to grow with confidence and to contribute beyond ourselves.
"So, emotion is it. And if we get the right emotion, we can get ourselves to do anything. If you're creative, playful, fun enough, can you get through to anybody, yes or no?" This quote really hit home for me. I have been working really hard on mindfulness in both my personal and professional life. I am finding more and more that my emotional state drives my day to day living!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite things that he said was that the art of fulfillment includes appreciation and contribution. When we contribute and give to others in the world, we gain purpose and are filled up ourselves. In my personal life, when I am giving and loving in my relationships, those relationships can grow. I feel more connection and feel loved, and so does the person I have a relationship with. In my professional life, I feel satisfied when I get to the end of the day and feel like I have helped someone in some way. As a current health coach, I use a lot of motivational questioning like Robbins talked about. I appreciated the simplicity of asking what you are going to focus on and what action you want to take to make progress toward your goal. This can apply to anything in life. In work, it can be challenging to find the balance of giving yourself but not sacrificing your physical and mental health and happiness in life. This was part of my decision to take a break from teaching. I really appreciate that this book acknowledges unrealistic expectations on teachers and gives very explicit suggestions on how to find more work life balance.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite line from the video was “The secret to living is giving. Life is not about me, it’s about we.” In my personal life, this is a great reminder for when things get tiring or stressful with parenting and marriage. All of the little tasks (giving) that I do every day all day for my family are important and this was a great reminder of that. To me it is fulfilling to contribute to something beyond myself. I also think this is the perfect reminder for when I’m having a hard time in the classroom with a parent or disagree with a coworker. We’re all there for the same important purpose!
ReplyDeleteShare your favorite line or story stated by Tony Robbins in his talk, Why We Do What We Do. What does this mean for you in your personal life? How can this be applied in your professional work?
ReplyDeleteFirst I am surprised by the year of the Ted Talk, it has almost been 20 years. Not that this isn't relevant, but I do think time has changed quite a bit since this was filmed. I feel like this one could be updated.
"Decisions create destiny" Ouch, this one hit home for me. I went back to college during my divorce and completed a lot of schooling in a short period of time. If I could go back I would have researched a lot more and gone a different direction than education. I can't change that now so I need to start thinking now how can my "decisions create destiny," now.
My favorite part was our fourth need, connection and love. If we do not make connections with others and have relationships, we cannot feel satisfied and happy. In my personal life, that means staying close with my family. In my professional life, I need to work on making more connections with coworkers and students. As a librarian a good portion of my job is taking care of the physical needs of the space and collection. The tasks and “stuff” get in the way of me being present with my students and coworkers and in turn my connections lack. Having connections is the source of actual happiness and making change in my career - and needs to stay at the forefront of my mind.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite line was "The secret of life is about giving. It's not about me, it's about we." This is important to remember in all aspects of my life. In my personal life it is so true that it's so often the "little things" that mean the most. It's a good reminder that giving to others is what life is about. In my career things definitely run more smoothly when I focus on my why. I chose to be a teacher to contribute beyond myself. This talk was a good reminder of that.
ReplyDeleteThe secret to living is giving. Life isn’t about me, it’s about we. We all want to have and desire to have a purpose in life. We want to contribute to society and help people grow and do better. In my personal like I need to take care of myself, so I can also take care of and support my family and loved ones. In my work life, it also means I can’t help my students if I haven’t helped myself. I want to help them because that’s something that comes naturally. However, if I’m running on empty, I won’t be able to give students what they need to grow and learn.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the quote "Emotion. If you have the right emotion you can do anything." I resonated with this quote because this past year I have been trying to have a more positive both at work and at home! I personally feel when my attitude is more positive things go smoother in my classroom and the kids and myself get more work done!
ReplyDeleteThere were a couple of quotes from this video that really stuck with me and made me think deeper about the people we are surrounded by daily and how the function of our behavior is driven by emotion. The first quote that stuck out to me was "the reason we grow is so we have something to give of value." In my personal life, I always have goals to be a better version of myself from the day before. It feels good to grow and benefit from reaching your goal, but I think maybe the deeper translation is that by meeting our goals (learn sign language, fitness goals, professional goals, etc.) we are able to then share our experiences and connect with others. Achieving goals are related to emotions in all aspects.
ReplyDeleteThe second quote that resonated with me was at the very end of the talk when he said "you need to not just understand, but appreciate what's driving other people. That's the only way the world's going to change." As a special education teacher, it is so important to try to understand how students are feeling, and why they are responding with emotions. We often look for the function of behavior, when perhaps it may be more beneficial to understand and appreciate the emotion behind the reaction. Even in communication with parents, understanding and appreciating their side of a situation is imperative in the relationships built with them. When working with co-workers with differing views, it is also important to appreciate the differences they bring to the table, and to understand what emotions are driving their decisions and interactions throughout the school day as well.
"You don't work in your self interest all the time." When I think about why I do the things I do I like to say because it makes me happy or if I didn't do it I would feel stressed. However, that's not always the case. I often do the things I do because it's that third rail. Standards that I have made for myself that really aren't necessary. Who tells you to do all the laundry in one day? A standard that I made myself that isn't going to affect anyone if I split laundry up on multiple days. I do this at work too. Who says you have to have everything for the next week prepped and ready before you leave on Friday? Can't I save some of the copies for the next week? Who is it going to hurt? What is the MVP? Take care of yourself first.
ReplyDeleteSomething that stood out to me was when Tony said "The secret to life is about giving. It isn't about me, it's about 'we'" This stuck with me because I have this outlook on life when it comes to my friends, family and even my students. I love to give and see the reactions of those who I give to. It brings me joy to see my students light up when they are gifted something from me. Especially those students who I know are not gifted much in their home lives. I think this quote is great to live by. It doesn't mean you can't take care of yourself as well. But when we give, our hearts fill with such joy.
ReplyDeleteI thought the part Tony shared about how our decisions shape our destiny. If we make different decisions, how our life would be completely different. I think about my decision to pursue a degree in elementary education. My life would look drastically different had I chosen a different profession. I think everything happens for a reason, and every decision is important. Even a bad decision will show you wisdom and growth. I apply this mindset in my professional work by keeping a positive mindset and focusing on the good things, every day. I can impact my destiny to make myself and others around me happy.
ReplyDeleteI appreciated the comment "the defining factor is never resources; its resourcefulness. " How many of us sit at school and are not given all the resources we would love to have in our classrooms? But that never seems to stop teachers from reaching their students. Like Tony refers to, that is because of of resourcefulness. We all have a certain amount of resources, and what we do with them is our resourcefulness. In my home and my life, I would like to think that is the reason we can make through each day. We need to consider all the options, not just the ones we see or have in front of us.
ReplyDeleteI watched this video three times in order to nail down and answer for this, although I took so many notes I go back and forth on what to use. Ultimately "Decisions Shape Destiny" I think about this often, and I go back to that there is a reason for everything and that God has a plan. I may not understand what it is at that moment, but there is a reason. When I changed school districts, many years ago, not only did I give up the comfort of teaching in the community that I live in but I started over teaching an all new curriculum. This changed both my personal life and my professional life.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated this line. "The secret of life is about giving. It's not about me-it is about we!" Well said. How often we get so caught up in our world and our families and forget about the other people in need. There are many people in need and during the school year it is hard to be there for everyone. I love to bring meals to people, but during the school year I find it hard to get them all out there to others. So I still bring food but not as much as I do during the summer months. I have found that even when I bring a meal a few months later, the families are still so thankful that you are still thinking about them.
ReplyDeleteI think about how many parents remember me during the school year. Bringing in a coffee in the morning, or sending a text to have a great day, or bringing a cookie for conferences that their child made before the parents came. It is good to give back!!
“The secret to living is giving. Life is not about me, it’s about we.” This is the line that stood out to me. As I reflect on my teaching career, I have with many students that are the "have nots" and many times they struggled because they felt embarrassed when their parents couldn't afford the basic school materials for their child. I always make sure I have plenty of pencils and I always hoard the 15 cent notebooks from Walmart, to make sure I can help those who do not have the means to get their supplies. In life, I feel we constantly worry about competing with the "Joneses". But in reality, it is not about me it is about my family, my students, my animals on my ranch and everything in my surroundings. It is okay to want but is it necessary? Helping others, seeing those students light up when they do not have the worry, it makes you feel good and if you can help, why not?
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of this Ted Talk was when Tony Robbins said, "decision is the ultimate power." I also liked when he talked about the 3 decisions of destiny, it was super interesting to look at it from the perspective that we are making these 3 decisions all the time in our lives. What we focus on, what it means, and how/if it is going to happen. Even the slightest change of decisions in the past can could change what my life and teaching career looks like now. For me personally it stems back to my faith in God and trusting that His plan for me is the right one. The decisions made all happen for a reason. I am a teacher for a reason, and deciding to show up and be the best teacher I can be for my students is super important to me.
ReplyDeleteThe quote “We've got to remind ourselves that decision is the ultimate power.” seemed to stick out to me and then the explanations after. I feel like I’m kind of the person who blames not having the resources for fulfillment or completion, the money, the tech, the time. It's interesting to think about it more being about resourcefulness and emotion you put behind it. Which leads to his three questions for decision making. “ What are you going to focus on?”, “What does it mean?” , and “Is it the end or the beginning?” These three questions will help me to focus on decision making at home and school. Hoping these will give me the feeling of being more in control!
ReplyDeleteThe quote that stuck with me is "the reason we grow is so we have something of value to give". I have never thought of it in that way, but now hearing it makes it click for me. We should be pushing ourselves and our students to grow academically, socially, and emotionally to add value to their lives and communities. Without this growth we are stagnant and not living to our fullest and truest potential.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDelete“If we get the right emotion, we can get through anything” is a great quote from this talk. Having a positive or “I can do it” mindset can play a major role in how successful you are in your task. In my experiences having that positive mindset makes me feel better than going into something with a negative mindset. Being a Debbie downer brings other people down with you. I am guilty of this, and I have a hard time expressing emotion but you can tell who enjoys working at their job and who is just there for the money. These emotions can have a positive and negative affect at home too. As mentioned in other blog posts, changing careers and having to take tests to has been a huge stress on me and my family. Going into studying or even taking the test with a positive “ I can do it” attitude makes you feel confident.
Share your favorite line or story stated by Tony Robbins in his talk, Why We Do What We Do. What does this mean for you in your personal life? How can this be applied in your professional work?
ReplyDelete"Strangers care." It was an incredible story about the food that showed up at his house for the holiday. The gesture, his response, his dad's response. It was all so real and so honest. And his ability to understand that strangers do care feels a lot like what we do in education. Every year, I have 140 new students show up in my room, I embrace the student, their families, their culture, their learning styles, and choose to do the best I can for 180 days. Strangers care. It's amazing what he did with that whole mentality to feed so many people. It really is those types of stories that remind us how good humanity can be. Education is part of that.
I think my favorite story is the last one where he is talking about the interaction at his workshop the day after 911. It kind of ties in with the story form his youth about how strangers care. People do truly care about other people they just do not always know how to best communicate that they care. When we let our emotions control us we are not effective or productive. We often spiral out of control. When we utilize our emotions to motivate us in a positive way. When we can evaluate our emotions we become productive. This is how we can utilize emotion in our professional and personal lives as well. Reflect on and evaluate our emotions. Do not make snap decisions in the moment on based on these emotions. Take some time to think about what is causing them how they can best be utilized to help make our families better and how they can best be utilized to make our schools better.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite lines was,"emotion is the force of life'. What are we doing in life to make a difference? Are we giving? Emotion is the action taken. One thing we are missing is resourcefulness.
ReplyDeleteOne line I thought was meaningful was "decisions shape destiny". In my personal life I realize that decisions I make are what determine my state in life. As Tony said, some of those decisions are conscious and some unconscious, some I can control and some I can't control. But whether things in my life are good or bad, there is always another decision to be made, and that decision can change your life.
ReplyDeleteAt school, I can make decisions as to how I react to different situations, how much time I spend on school work, etc, but I need to realize that I can make choices that can make teaching meaningful, fun and worthwhile to me and the students.
“Contribute beyond ourselves by giving.” This statement from Tony Robbins truly resonates with me. I believe in living with a giving heart in my personal life and my professional life. It might differ at times, but people are the world, and I want to make life better for anyone I encounter. If everyone would contribute and grow, our world would look so different. It is all about mindset and overcoming obstacles; just like Tony shared about his life. . . . his father chose a path(leaving his family, not accepting charity), and Tony chose a better path by making a difference in the lives of others. It is all about mindset. Every day is a blessing, and how can we make it better for others and ourselves?
ReplyDelete"The defining factor is never resources—it's resourcefulness."
ReplyDeleteThis statement couldn't be truer for teachers. Rarely do we have all the resources we need or want in our classrooms. So, we adapt. We ask and hope to receive, we purchase items ourselves, or we find creative ways to make what we have work. Resourcefulness isn't an option in teaching—it's a necessity.
I once worked at a school where the classroom computers still ran on Windows XP. They were the oldest, slowest machines I had ever used—and we only had one per classroom. To meet writing standards, I had to build a schedule that allowed students to take turns using that single computer. Creating typed, printed, and published research reports with just one device was a serious challenge. Buying new computers for all my students wasn’t realistic, so I had to get resourceful.
Teachers aren’t defined by what they’re given—we're defined by how we use what we have. Given the opportunity, people will rise. Success doesn't require the newest or best tools; it requires meeting basic needs and making the most of them.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs reminds us that if basic physiological needs aren’t met, it’s hard to progress. But once those essentials are in place, growth and achievement become possible.
Tony Robbins shared many powerful statements throughout his talk. There were several that stood out to me, but one I keep going back to. We've got to remind ourselves that decision is the ultimate power. This is a lesson that I repeatedly remind myself, as well as try to teach my students. My reaction, my choices, the decisions that I make, all can change the course or direction of my day/year/life. We have to make a conscious decision every day to show up for ourselves and make the choices that will keep moving us forward on the path that we want to take.
ReplyDeleteShare your favorite line or story stated by Tony Robbins in his talk, Why We Do What We Do. What does this mean for you in your personal life? How can this be applied in your professional work?
ReplyDeleteOne thing that stood out to me was when he said the reason we grow is so we have something of value to give and finding the fulfillment in that. I think emotions play a big part in how you can grow. Sometimes the obstacles we go through and how you handle it can set examples for others. Trying to be positive in all situations and the decisions we make can help us to make an impact on our family members and students as well. It's important to understand not only how we feel but appreciate how others might be feeling and that together we can make a difference.
"Your model of the world is what shapes you long term. Your model of the world is the filter. That's what's shaping us. It makes people make decisions. To influence somebody, we need to know what already influences them."
ReplyDeleteThis quote from Tony Robbins immediately stood out to me because I think it's fascinating to consider from both a personal standpoint and when considering others' perspectives. What IS my/our model of the world? How is it shaping me/others? I like what he said about the 6 human needs and in my personal life, I would like to reflect on those needs and determine which one drives me the most and why. I would like to take a look at my model of the world and see how that is influencing me.
Similarly, I think considering these questions for students could be helpful in terms of motivating them and figuring out what drives them.
I like the statements regarding emotion. Having a positive attitude, ensuring that I make time to have a laugh, smile, etc while at school changes how I view the day and participate in the day. Emotion is powerful. It drives me to keep at something that I feel will benefit a student(s). Being in special education, you learn that you need to be resourcefu bc usually the resources are not available. This applies to my personal life, also, especially with cattle farming. A friend says, "Be broke and broke at the same time." Your attitude and resourcefulness gets you through anything.
ReplyDelete"Decision is the ultimate power." This has been said in many different ways, many different times, but it is a good reminder. I tend to put a negative spin on things, and that is a choice. I can be happier and more productive by changing that choice. This is certainly true at school. I need to keep working on making a positive choice about the people I work with and decisions that are made (or often not made), not only for my own good, but for the good of my students as well.
ReplyDeleteThe quote that stood out to me was when he talked about how decisions shape our destiny. It's so interesting to think about how one decision can change everything in your life. It really makes you step back and think before making decisions, but especially big decisions. Teachers make hundreds of decisions a day and I'm certain I make about that many at home as well. I think if we can setup routines in our professional and personal life to be able to remove small decision making out of the equation, then we will have more of a capacity to take more time on the big decisions we need to make every day.
ReplyDeleteShare your favorite line or story stated by Tony Robbins in his talk, Why We Do What We Do. What does this mean for you in your personal life? How can this be applied in your professional work?
ReplyDeleteWe've got to remind ourselves that decision is the ultimate power.
I once had a principal that ended the morning announcements with, "Have a great day...or not. The choice is yours." That hit me hard when I was going through my divorce and custody battles. I was so depressed that I could barely get out of bed in the morning. But every day I made the choice to get up and smile and be present for my students. I frequently got through the day with a fake it or make it thought process. Even on those days, I usually ended with a real good mood.
I also make a thousand decisions a day regarding my students. All decisions are made through the lens of, "Is this best for students?" Decisions must be made with care because of all the power that each decision carries.
Share your favorite line or story shared by Carlos Hidalgo in his talk, Setting Work-Life Boundaries. Where are you at in the process of establishing work-life boundaries? When do you feel like you are actually living life whole-heartedly?
ReplyDeleteNumber 5 - You must grow
I truly believe that we contstantly have to be evolving and growing in every aspect of your life. You grow and evolve as an educator when you learn new practices and then in return implement them into your classroom. We are learning new ways to teach students and teachers need to be a part of that in order for our students to be successful. I also think you need to grow in your personal life too. Relationships change and as parents you grow along side your children because the circumstances and things you do with them changes. You also learn things about yourself once you become a parent you have to work together as a family to run a successful home life.
One of my favorite lines from Robbins' TED Talk is -
ReplyDelete"The secret to living is giving."
This really resonates with me in my personal life as a mom. Raising a toddler requires so much time, energy, and love, sometimes without immediate rewards. But remembering that giving is at the heart of meaningful living reminds me that even the smallest acts of love and care matter. Whether it’s rocking my daughter to sleep or reading her the same book or watching the same movie for the fifth time, those moments are full of purpose. Keeping these moments sacred remind me that these times are non-negotiable and work is off the table during these times with my daughter.
As an ELL teacher, this line also hits home. I give my students support, encouragement, and the tools they need to find their voices, especially in a classroom where English isn't their first language. Teaching can be demanding, but when I focus on giving with intention rather than just checking off tasks, I feel more connected and fulfilled.
This quote reminds me that both at home and in my classroom, giving doesn't mean giving everything or burning out, it means showing up with heart, being present, and knowing that those efforts can have a lasting impact.
My favorite line from Tony Robbins’ talk is when he says “We do what we do because of the way we feel.” That stuck with me because it reminds me that underneath every action, there’s an emotion driving it. In my personal life, especially as a dad, this helps me be more aware of my feelings before reacting. When my daughter is fussy or my day gets overwhelming, I try to pause and figure out what I’m really feeling instead of just reacting out of stress. Professionally, knowing that students and players are driven by emotional needs helps me connect better with them. If I see a student acting out or a player struggling, I try to remember it’s about what they’re feeling and not just the behavior. That means I can meet them where they are and encourage them in ways that help them feel seen and valued, not just told what to do.
ReplyDelete"The secret of life is about giving. It's not about me - it is about we."
ReplyDeleteIn my personal life, if I am in a rut and feeling down, I find it helpful to get the focus off myself and go out and find ways to help others or do something for someone else. That almost always makes me feel better and more fulfilled while also making someone else's life better. Additionally, it deepens my appreciation for the supportive and collaborative team I have at school.
Many thoughts but I will quote "What is it that drives you in your life today?...Emotion is the force of life."
ReplyDeleteYes, I am very self-motivated, a work-a-hol-ic, perfectionist, and emotional. I always said they were a blessing and a curse. I can find and see a need and go after it, but not always successfully because i also have many disabilities I am finding out about.
As I am now in a different season of life and have different responsibilities I have slowed down, let others take over in some things, and more patient and kind when events are out of my control at home and at school. I am trying.
I connected with Tony Robbins idea of the 6 or 7 needs that we all have, and how we respond to these needs in different ways, some positively and others negatively. How we want certainty in our lives, but also some uncertainty (variety) too. We all want to feel critical significance, connection and love. Why is it that some people do this in destructive ways? And then he talked about "emotion is the force of life." We can feel empowered or disempowered. As a teacher, we hope to build connections with students so that students feel empowered and make positive choices and decisions everyday. Unfortunately, some students would rather get their acceptance through negative behaviors to attention. Personally, I can look at my life and see each of these needs as being met in my own life. I have acheived many of my goals in life because I have the resources and emotion to make these things happen. I think this is also called self-motivation/intrinsic motivation.
ReplyDeleteHe says that emotion is the most important thing. It drives our decisions and passions. "Emotion is the force of life."
ReplyDeleteWhat makes us feel like doing what we are doing? I love teaching, but there are days when I just don't feel like it. What do I need to remotivate myself to start again?
I school, I remind myself why am I there. The kids....I have former students' names that come to my mind. I am here for the Tanners in my classroom. That thought gets my emotions going in a positive way.
Something that helps me in my personal life is thinking of my grandson. What does Cooper need? Then I can think of all the wonderful things about my grandson. That helps me think in a positive way about the things in my personal life.
Share your favorite line or story stated by Tony Robbins in his talk, Why We Do What We Do. What does this mean for you in your personal life? How can this be applied in your professional work?
ReplyDeleteGrowth and contribution are keys to fulfillment, stood out to me.
In my personal and professional life, I always feel better about myself when I am learning as well as helping others. As a teacher, I am helping others each and every day and in various ways and I am always learning!
I enjoyed listening to Tony Robbins. My favorite line from his talk was, “The secret to living is giving.” This line is important to me in my personal life, because at the end of my life, I want to know that my life had meaning and that I made a positive impact on others. I enjoy giving to others and volunteering to help causes in my community, because it gives me such joy and fulfillment that no material possession or amount of money can give me. I can apply this to my professional work by doing things for my students when I see there is a need not being met such as when I’ve purchased gloves for my students who did not have them, or worked with a local organization to help coordinate delivering a mattress to a student who did not have one and was sleeping on the floor. I will continue to look for ways to help students in my classroom or individuals in my community.
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ReplyDeleteWhat I learned and took away the most is that "emotion is the force of life" With our minds we can rationalize anything and make anything happen. We can work with our interest and that is what I mainly do but sometimes my emotions come into play and changes how I do things. I always want to make dreams come true but know that it comes with obstacles. I took into account when he said a factor can we our past and what has happened and our future success. It is not what shapes us. It does have an influence on us but we can change it ... With me, I had a great childhood but also had one burden of loosing a parent at a young age but I don't think it defines who I am. I was given a huge obstacle but it was something to overcome and deal with in the right ways with the right support, resources and encouragement. I was given so much love and support from not only family but my teachers and staff at my school. They helped me so much throughout all of this and helped me during one of the hardest parts of my life. It was not what they said or did but how they made me feel and that it was ok. That a huge part of my success and something I want to give back to others dealing with difficult situations.
ReplyDeleteShare your favorite line or story stated by Tony Robbins in his talk, Why We Do What We Do. What does this mean for you in your personal life? How can this be applied in your professional work?
ReplyDeleteSome lines from Tony Robbins that stood out to me included:
"Emotion is a force of life." I feel emotion is something that reflects a person; even a person's demeanor. This applies to my professional work in the classroom. Sometimes I will share how my morning/evenings went; good or bad. (Locked my keys in the car, my kids will be coming home this weekend.) They hopefully see we all have our good and bad moments.
"We can make anything happen" How we present ourselves in and outside the classroom can make things happen. To tie in with that;
"Decisions shaped our culture." Make good decisions, they pay off.
What is it that drives you in life today". That's a great question because if you don't have an answer that is related to your profession you might want to find another profession. If you are simply going through the motions each and everyday it is time to step outside your comfort zone and find your drive and once you start doing that more answers to the question will probably arrive. I need to do a job that makes a difference. I have worked jobs that have not and my drive and passion are not at my best. So I knew when I went to college that I needed a job that gave back and I truly have the only job I would ever want.
ReplyDeleteThere were many key moments in this, and I had to watch it several times (with transcript) to fully get some of the details. At 3:15 “but when it comes to fulfillment- that’s an art. The reason is , it’s about appreciation and contribution. You can only feel so much by yourself.” … and Al Gore’s contribution was funny and witty and well-timed. :-)
ReplyDeleteI also connected to his concept of resourcefulness - this is good, I can use this to stay in the game when working to motivate students and effect change with my staff. Robbins gave an interesting perspective on violence, and filtered it down so simply that it is easy to understand, remember and even use to explain to another in a different setting.
Mostly in minute 13:00, the fifth and sixth needs: grow and contribute, the needs of the spirit will be the biggest personal takeaway. I have tried to keep learning throughout my life, intending that the learning will lead to growth. I am a big one for reflection, both professionally and personally. Occasionally the reflection does lead to shame and embarrassment, because I could have and should have done something better. However, the word ‘accident ‘ exists because humans have been erring since the beginning of time, not always doing hurtful things with intention.
The element of ‘contribute’ has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. I was raised and am wired to being a contributor, to give rather than step up to take, although I am learning to take as well. Sometimes, I can let my expectation that people should contribute frustrate me when I see others not contributing; this however, is for a different discussion. :-)
To offer help, resources of mine, to contribute, has been a personal reinforcement that I have a level of abundance, more than I alone need. This does create a beneficial connection between me and the person / event to which I am contributing. Reflecting upon this satisfied feeling also helped me realize that I can recognize, acknowledge and affirm others’ contributions, building the same positive feelings inside them.
“We can change our lives. We can do, have, and be exactly what we wish.”
ReplyDeleteThis quote is simple but really powerful - Personally, it reminds me that change is always possible if I’m willing to take action. It reinforces the idea that I’m in control of my growth, not my past or circumstances.
Professionally i see it in the form of stuents - no matter their background or struggles, they have the potential to grow, succeed, and redefine themselves. It pushes me to create a classroom where students feel that they can do great things.
ReplyDeleteFavorite line: when he talked about the fourth need - connection and love
What does this mean for your personal life: In my personal life, connection and love keep me grounded and focused on things that matter.
Professional work: The need for connection and love is very evident in my classroom. Showing love and growing connections creates the positive classroom environment needed for learning on all levels. Love and connection between teacher and student and also student to student.
Share your favorite line or story stated by Tony Robbins in his talk, Why We Do What We Do. What does this mean for you in your personal life? How can this be applied in your professional work?
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of this speech was "the defining factor is never resources. It's resourcefulness." One of my favorite quotations of all time is attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt: "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." I put that on my desk when I was a new teacher and I still have it today. It dovetails nicely with Tony Robbins' assertion; what we have isn't nearly as important as what we DO with what we have. Teachers never have enough time, resources, help, and so on. But you can either get bitter, and complain about all the stuff you don't have and all the stuff you have to do, or you can get better, and just be resourceful with what you do have. In my personal life, I want to make sure I'm modeling this, especially for my children. We don't, won't, and can't have everything. So, we need to be grateful for what we do have and make sure we use it to the best of our abilities.
“The secret to living is giving and it’s not about me but we.” I am a giver by nature so it is my downfall. I give you much of my time to others and none to myself. My take is we give but we also need to work together to lighten the load on everyone. This is a work in progress for me.
ReplyDeleteAt home, I love to give to my family because they are everything to me. I love to give of my time and my resources. However, I need to be aware that sometimes this takes away from things I like to do and thus, takes away from my own self care.
My favorite line was "The secret of life is about giving. It's not about me--it is about we." I am constantly putting the needs of my family before my own and being able to care for my family brings me joy and fulfillment.
ReplyDeleteIn my professional work, I feel like this line could have a different meaning. At school I feel like this line is more about working together. Giving to coworker in order to benefit our students. Whether we are giving of our time, our advice, or just listening we need to be there for each other and help each other out.
After listening, I really appreciated “The secret to living is giving. Life is not about me, it’s about we.” I love to give to others. I feel such a joy knowing that I am making a difference.
ReplyDeleteI try hard to do this in my personal life. I am a mother who will do anything for her children. I want to teach my children to carry on that love for giving to others. I pray every night that they will do this with their friends, those they are dating and those who they encounter in the community. I don't feel God put us on this Earth to be selfish. He wants us to give to one another and to show that love for one another.
This can also play out in the professional setting. As educators, WE should all be working towards the same goals and successes as a school. Working together, collaborating, and working for the students, sets up a GREAT workplace and an environment the students will thrive in.
My favorite line was, “If we get the right emotion, we can get ourselves to do anything.” In my personal life this means that I can change my attitude to be more positive. My husband is always so positive and people want to be around him because he’s in a good mood and upbeat. If I get the right emotion and am positive, I am able to get more tasks done and feel good about doing them. When I'm positive, I believe in myself and motivate myself to accomplish tasks and meet my goals. If I’m positive when I go to the gym, I feel like my workout helped me and leads me to my goals. I can apply this in my professional work by choosing to be positive when things don’t go my way or we get tasked with a new project that seems daunting. I’ve found that when I surround myself with more positive people, I tend to get the right emotion and feel like I’m doing my job well. I can accomplish anything that comes my way when I have a positive attitude.
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