Well, our faculty book for the year is Nurture Shock by Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman, and this week's chapter proved an intriguing topic: "Can Self-Control Be Taught?"
As a teacher, one can certainly hope that self-control can, indeed, be taught. And recent studies suggest that maybe it can. But what I found even more interesting out of this chapter and an article from ND magazine was that the two top predictors for success in life are intelligence and...
wait for it...
wait for it...
are you ready?...
self-control.
How did we not realize this sooner?
And, what I would really like to know (but the chapter did not address it) is whether or not there is an age when it's too late to effectively teach self-control? (Honestly - when the students get to fourth grade without self-control, is it too late? Gosh, I sure hope not. And, I mean, while we're being honest, there are some adults who I would like to teach this to - Am I a horrible person for thinking this?)
In an age where technology and culture presses on us all to move more quickly and tap into technology at all times of the day and night (via wireless internet, Smart phones, and more!), self-control and patience seem to be life skills and qualities that are fading fast.
The next time you have to wait for something, I encourage and challenge you to think about the situation in a different light - Don't think about how you're disappointed not to get what you want instantly; instead, think about how you are lucky (in this day and age) to be in the position to get what you need or want so relatively easily.
What's a few extra minutes anyway? Again we find that patience is a virtue.
As you go through your day, remember to let self-control be your guide.
talk to dom- he does some work with tutoring and brain coaching- i think some of that has to do with teaching self-control...
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