Is This MyStory

Be the author of your own life

Choose to Be The Author of Your Life

What’s Your Backstory?

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Has anyone ever asked “what’s your story”? Maybe, you’ve heard someone say “this is my story”. Or, perhaps you’ve asked, “what’s their story?”

 Why?

 Why do we look to ‘back story’ to explain our present state? Why do we look  to the past to understand today? Why do we judge a person on what’s  already happened?

 There are many answers to these questions and while you should take a  moment to think about them, the answers are not what I’m looking for.  Rather, I’m asking you to recognise the effect and implications of backstory.

 Stay with me, there’s a point.

Recently I was discussing the novel The Outsiders with a year 7 class. We were looking at the character of Johnny and evaluating how Hinton (the author) foreshadowed future complications. This is what storytellers do. They thrust readers into the middle of the action and then, as the narrative progresses, they slowly reveal the situations and events that brought their characters to this point.

Why?

More importantly, how does it help us? What does it teach us?

In Johnny’s case we learn that his nervousness is a combined result of being abused at home and attacked by the Socs (a rival gang). This brutal bashing provides a context for later events. It is not my intention to explore the novel. Rather I use it to illustrate a point. I use it to encourage you to think about the power of the author. I use it to show how you how the author controls the story through the experiences of the characters.

What would you do if you had the author’s influence? What could you do if you had the power to manipulate your ‘story’, could you influence the future?

While it is true you can’t go back to alter your history, it is possible to shift your perception. You can look back to understand something you didn’t before.

You may be wondering, how can this shape my future?

This is the arena for hopes, dreams and the tangible reality of goals. If you have a clear vision – a target to aim for, you can focus your actions toward that goal. In other words, you become the author shaping a backstory for your future.

Think about it, what is your backstory? How has it influenced the choices you make? Now, use those thoughts to project yourself into the future. What choices can you make today to influence the backstory you’ll tell in a years time? Where would you like to be?

It’s a good idea to write these ideas down. Writing makes them tangible and gives your mind time to digest the thoughts and emotions. You may even like to try this MyStory Reflection activity.

MyStory Reflection Activity

1. Ask yourself, what is my backstory? How has it influenced the choices I make?

2. Use these thoughts to project yourself into the future. What choices can you make today to influence the backstory you’ll tell in a years time?

3. Write these ideas down and put them in a folder or envelope.

4. Date the folder / envelope and put it away in a safe place.

5.Write a note in a calendar to remind yourself to open the envelope or folder in a years time.

6. Repeat this process each month.

In a years time you will have an envelope to open. Be patient, wait the year. After a year open the first envelope and read your thoughts from a year ago. How does it relate to the life your living now? Be positive, recognise what you have learnt and use your thoughts to write a new reflection.

Repeat the process for another year. Each month you will have an envelope to open and a new story to create.

I wonder what you’ll discover.

 

Welcome to a World of Expression

If you would like some personalised study coaching contact Nicole, nicole@isthismystory.com

If you’d like to join our mailing list and receive a MyStory Reflection reminder email each month contact Nicole, nicole@isthismystory.com for more details.

You can learn more about our workshops here. You can get a copy of Nicole’s e-book here and paperback here or contact Nicole: nicole@isthismystory.com for a limited first edition.

Getting Through the HSC

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Yes the HSC is challenging. It’s meant to be. It is a test, an evaluation of what you remember, what you have understood and how well you express your ideas. It is also a transitional point. Therefore, rather than seeing the HSC as barrier to be overcome, why don’t you see it as a tunnel to move through.

 Maybe this analogy will help. Imagine you’ve been on a year long holiday. At  the beginning of this journey you packed enough clothes and equipment to  carry you through. Now you need to pack a smaller bag, just the essentials  to get you to the next stage. You’ll use your previous experiences to  determine  which items are most useful – you know, the tools you’ll you  need to survive  and thrive. Take these into the tunnel with you.

 Although the tunnel is narrower than the preceding road and at times may  seem to close in around you, remember, it is just a tunnel. It is a passage  that goes somewhere. It will take you to a wide avenue that branches toward fresh opportunities. You have packed your bag, it is filled with ideas, thoughts and dreams of your future. This will be your guide. 

Yes, the HSC is a challenge to move through, but it is not a barrier to overcome.  Just as a coin has two sides, the HSC has a natural duality – it simultaneously marks the end of one aspect of your life and the beginning of another. 

Now for a few practical tips to help you get through the HSC;

1. Get at least 8 hours sleep each night. Sleep allows you to consolidate your learning. It is time for your brain to process the information you have been revising.

2. Maintain a regular daily routine by ‘timetabling’ the day into ‘periods’;

– Study (active reading & active practice e.g past papers),

– Exercising (this could include going for a walk and listening to podcasts related to your study material or reflecting upon what you have been studying)

– Socialising (this could include talking about the subject material with friends and family)

– Relaxing

– Eating

– Sleeping.

Remember, each of these is an important element in your preparation.

3. Allocate 10 – 15 minutes to mindfulness or focused breathing. Like sleep, mindfulness or focussed breathing gives your brain an opportunity to process information without ‘you’ or rather your constant thoughts, getting in the way. It also helps you build mental fitness and focus.

 

Oh, and remember to enjoy the experience.

 

Welcome to a World of Expression

If you would like some personalised study coaching contact Nicole nicole@isthismystory.com

 

You can learn more about our workshops here.

You can get a copy of Nicole’s e-book here and paperback here (or for a limited first edition contact Nicole: nicole@isthismystory.com)

 

Similar post – The HSC is Almost Here – Are You Motivated to Study?

Why Do Children Lose Interest in School?

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Why do children lose interest in school and what can we, as parents and teachers, do about it? Apparently our new Federal Minister for Education, Mr Christopher Pyne wants to return to fact based learning. When I read this line I felt like crying – but then I consoled myself, perhaps he’d been misquoted.

 After all, how could a man involved in the foundation of Headspace get the  concept of learning in the 21st century so wrong. No, there must be some  mistake. 

 Surely our new minister realises life beyond the school gates requires more  than facts, competition and high stakes testing. He must know our children  need the tools of learning. They also need the confidence, flexibility and  proactive attitude to use those tools. And, they need to know who they are,  where they are and where they want to go.

Perhaps this is why too many of our teenagers lose interest in school. They lose interest in school because they don’t know where it will lead. They can’t see the relevance of their classes.

Now this doesn’t mean the classes are irrelevant. Instead it means that the students haven’t had the opportunity to develop an understanding of themselves and their goals. Since they haven’t developed personal awareness, they struggle to find personal relevance and without an ability to see the value in learning, it is difficult to learn self regulation and self motivation.

So, how can we as parents and teachers help our kids stay interested in school?

Not by doing what we’ve done before – not by throwing money at all things bright and shiny. Not by following some big technology splurge. Not by returning to the good ol’ days of facts and rote memory. Not by testing and measuring. Not by cramming an already crowded curriculum with one-off feel good programs. 

We need a valuable approach.

We can help our kids stay interested in school by moving toward opportunity. We can help them recognise the relevance and value of school by giving them the chance to get to know themselves better.

How?

By allowing them to learn how to recognise their own thoughts, emotions, values and dreams. By supporting their search for a place within societies fabric.  And by giving them the tools of learning – critical, creative and emotional literacy and, functional numeracy.

These skills need to be embed into the curriculum. They need to be as day-to-day as morning recess. The wonderful news is they can be, and it doesn’t require adding to the curriculum. It simply requires a different way of looking at things. If we focus on the students and what they need, facts become relevant. 

I’d love to know what you think? How could you use the facts you know to help a teenager learn more about themselves? How can you help them see the personal relevance of facts? I do it through stories.

 

Welcome to a World of Expression

You can learn more about our workshops here

You can get a copy of Nicole’s e-book here and paperback here or for a limited first edition contact Nicole: nicole@isthismystory.com

Creative Kids Get Better Grades

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Teachers who help students develop their innate creativity are preparing them for the future. In contrast, traditional modes of education, which focus on getting the right answer and passing exams, stifle a child’s curiosity and willingness to make mistakes.

 What do you think?

 Imagine being back at school. How well did your experiences in the  classroom prepare you for what you’re doing today?

 According to Sir Ken Robinson schools kill creativity. In the TED talk below  he explains “we’re running national education systems where mistakes are  the worse things you can make”.

 As an English teacher, I love the way Robinson blends stories with theories  to encourage his audience to look beyond what they’ve always been told, to the implications of doing what’s always been done.  One of my favourite descriptions is that of university professors who live so much of their lives in their minds that their bodies are simply a means to get their heads to a meeting.

It is worth noting that this particular TED talk was given in 2006. However, far from being ‘old news’ Robinson’s words have as much, if not more, relevance today. Our children are facing a digitally enhanced world that is filled with old world problems – evils such as bullying reach beyond school yard and classroom to homes and bedrooms.

Our children need to develop the mind-strength that comes with creativity so they can face their future with a confident, proactive attitude. We need to help them develop the problem solving skills that fuel resilience. In other words, we need to let them fail so they may learn.

Robinson argues “creativity is as important as literacy and we should treat it with the same status.” I think he has a point. We need to teach critical, creative and emotional literacy so our kids have the skills they need to think clearly, perform at their best and be who they want to be.

This presentation is a humorous, thought provoking look at the role of creativity in a modern age. Have a look and let me know what you think.


Welcome to a World of Expression

You can learn more about our workshops here

You can get a copy of Nicole’s e-book here and paperback here (or for a limited first edition contact Nicole: nicole@isthismystory.com)

Stop Bullying

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Yet another teen death, Rebecca Ann Sedwick was the tragic victim of on-line bullying. Like an insidious disease that defies treatment, on-line bullying is stealing the childhood of our children.

 Bullying stinks, its hurtful, cowardly and has devastating consequences for  all involved. As today’s article in the SMH shows, our kids need help – so do  their parents. Despite awareness campaigns and parental determination to  protect children, bullies find them. The rapid pace of technological change  has fuelled social media growth and parents, schools and government  can’t  keep up. We need more than treatments. We need to arm  our kids so they  can protect themselves. I have blogged about this before. We need to give  our children the skills, tools and mind strength to prevent the effects of  bullying behaviour.

 

How?

By helping children recognise who they are, where they are and where they want to go. This is what workshops such as our MyStory Mind help teenagers learn – the skills that schools don’t have time to teach. Our kids need to learn how to recognise their emotions and how to manage them. They need to learn how to distinguish their own thoughts from the thoughts of others and they need to uncover their own internal strengths.

Here’s something that many adults tend to forget or overlook – the internal world of a teenager is as real as the external one. I’ll repeat that because it’s important. The internal world of a teenager is as real as the external one. It is within this internal realm that teenagers (in fact most of us) are most vulnerable because it is the one we don’t see. It is the space of thoughts and emotions and these thoughts and emotions have the power to uplift and the power to tear down.

But there is good news. 

We can teach our children how to recognise internal strength and generate their own self esteem. We can help them gather the tools to thrive in their internal world. The benefit of thriving internally, is that the results are amplified in the external world. Put at its most basic, positive people attract positive people, confident people inspire confidence and success attracts success.

How will you help the teenagers in your life become the self aware, self responsible and proactive person that lives the life they dream of?

Welcome to a World of Expression
You can learn more about our workshops here
You can get your copy of Nicole’s e-book here  and paperback here (or for  a Limited First Edition contact Nicole)

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