We cannot stop time, create time, or control time.
But we all can effectively manage our priorities.

Time management is a myth.  Can’t be done.  I can manage my finances (spend less, earn more). I can manage my weight (eat less, exercise more). I can even manage my stress level (rant less, breathe more).  But I can’t manage time. I cannot get more of it. I cannot save some from this week and place it toward next week.  Nope, I can’t.  Like you, I have 168 hours in every week. I can’t rearrange them.

What I can do is manage my priorities. That is something we all can do. Those little choices we make each day are a window to our priorities.  [Image by Naypong/Free DigitalPhotos.net]

My students complete an activity titled “Where Does Your Week Go?” It is a simple listing of what they do each day for a week.  They then rank each activity from “not necessary” to “extremely necessary.”

“Necessary” in this context means “does the stuff you fill your life with connect to your priorities?”  In short, does the “stuff you do” get you closer to what you say are your goals? Doing a lot of stuff is NOT the same as doing the right stuff.

Another way to look at this is to determine whether your activities are negotiable or non-negotiable. For a single parent the care of his/her child is non-negotiable.  Likewise, your physical health is non-negotiable.  Three hours spent on social media each day falls, more than likely, in the negotiable category. Look at your list of activities for a week. Are they negotiable or non-negotiable? Are you doing the right things or are you just doing stuff?

The video below provides a memorable visual about what happens when we get sidetracked in life and fill our days with the small stuff—the negotiable items. 

A note about the video. It is in three parts: (1) the set up; (2) the problem; and (3) the conclusion and lesson.  Listen to the great observations and thoughts from the folks participating in this video with me. Classroom teachers who may be reading this blog: Consider this as one way to introduce and/or reinforce the concept of priority management to your students. You could actually show it in three segments; pause the video after each segment; have the students write a reflection; then conclude with a group discussion.  Have fun with it!

Your Homework. A money budget can help you determine where your money comes from and where it goes.  It can be a tedious process—but it is a necessary exercise for building wealth.  The same with a time budget.  Keeping track of everything you do for 168 hours can provide interesting insights about how you actually use your time.  So, for the next 7 days, keep a log of how your time is used. Record your sleep, your meals, your social media use, exercise, and time spent with your kids, spouse, and friends.  Don’t forget your transportation time to and from work or school; even brushing your teeth. Record everything.  And remember, the total number of hours MUST add up to 168 hours.  Once you have completed the log, judge the nature of each hour in your week on a scale from 1 (not necessary) to 5 (extremely necessary).  And then answer for yourself: Am I doing the right things or am I just doing stuff?

Best wishes this week as you focus on your necessary (non-negotiable) priorities, minimize the unnecessary (negotiable) activities, and activate positive new habits!

For more information on priority management, see my new book Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3^rd edition (Pearson Education). Please visit my website (www.stevepiscitelli.com), contact me at steve@stevepiscitelli.com, or visit Pearson Education,  Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. Please pass it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You can also follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli) and click on the “LIKE” button. Also, if you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment. Have a wonderful week!

© 2012. Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog.

What is common sense is not always common practice.

As a skill, critical thinking is a no-brainer; especially in a democratic society.  Yet what is common sense is not always common practice. Today, let’s examine a model that will help us be more effective critical thinkers.  The RED Model is an effective and powerful critical thinking tool that provides a systematic, step-by-step process for examining issues, events, people, and problems. It is eloquent in its simplicity. The graphic below clearly outlines the steps of the model.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal, Forms A/B (WGCTA). Copyright © 2007 NCS Pearson, Inc. Reproduced with permission. All rights reserved. “Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal” is a trademark,  in the US and/or other countries, of Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliates(s).

For this blog post, let’s drill down and examine two vital concepts for this model–and for critical thinking in general.

#1. Assumptions.  An assumption is an inference, an opinion, or a belief about (among other things) a person, place, or philosophical position.  Whether it is a wild accusation heard during political campaigns, differing expectations of a supervisor and employee, or a misunderstanding between two friends, an assumption can get us into big trouble. We must separate fact from fiction.

• Example. Ricky is a first-year college student. In high school he was given second chances on all of his quizzes and tests. If he did not score well the first time, he could always take it again.  (Some school districts call this “grade recovery.”)  He assumed his professors would do the same.  Imagine his shock when he received a “D” on his first test—and was told what he gets is what he keeps. No mulligans!
• Strategy. In the book, Now You’re Thinking! (Chartrand, et. al.) the authors maintain, “Unstated assumptions are where trouble usually begins…their consequences can be serious.” (p. 66) Before we can do something about our assumptions, we have to recognize them. If we have become vested in our assumptions, it might be difficult for us to see that a particular opinion is full of holes.  Ask a trusted friend or mentor to help you identify some of your operating assumptions. Then begin the task of indentifying fact from fiction.
• Activity. Identify one assumption in your life. If you are a student, what assumption have you made about your abilities in Math or in English?  If you have a job, what assumption do you hold about your supervisor?  Once you have recognized the assumption, gather and evaluate information that supports and refutes your inference. Then draw an objective conclusion–and decide on your next step.  You may wish to ask for objective feedback from a mentor.

#2. Confirmation Bias. This happens when we lean toward or agree with only information that confirms already held personal beliefs. We tend to overlook or dismiss anything that may challenge or disprove our opinion.

• Example. Tim Tebow, quarterback for the Denver Broncos (and former star for the University of Florida), has drawn legions of supporters and detractors about his ability to play in the NFL.  Watch a talking head on television or read a social media post and you will generally find lots of confirmation bias. Those who love Tebow will overlook any shortcoming or misstep. Those who have continually criticized him ignore any good; they concentrate on the mistakes.
• Strategy.  Don’t let your preconceived ideas get in the way of an unbiased opinion. Step back; take a breath; and ask yourself some questions:
  • Am I objective about this?
  • Have I become so married to my opinion that I have become blinded to contrary evidence?
  • How would I like it if this is how someone judged me?
• Activity. Examine one area of your life where you might be committing confirmation bias.  It could be about political candidates you like (or dislike). It might be about a particular professor you have this semester. Maybe it involves a relationship that has become strained.  Look for contrary evidence to your currently-held opinion. You may wish to ask for objective feedback from a mentor.

For more information on the RED Model, see Chapter Two of my new book Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? 3^rd edition (Pearson Education).  Please visit my website (www.stevepiscitelli.com), contact me at steve@stevepiscitelli.com, or  see order information at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post.  Please pass it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You can also follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli) and click on the “LIKE” button.  Also, if you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment.  Have a wonderful week!

© 2012. Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog.

Study skills are really about discipline;
about developing habits that move you and me (not just students) closer to our goals;
about little choices that have huge results.

It is not unusual for students to be a bit “put off” when an adviser tells them they have to enroll in a study skills course.  You might even hear students say things like:

• “Why do I need that?  That’s a course for students with problems–not me!”
• “I am too smart for this course!”
• “Why do I need this course? I do my homework every night. Isn’t that studying?”
• “My adviser made me take this course. What a waste of time!”
• “Sounds like an easy A!”

The first chapter of my latest book, Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff (3^rd edition, Pearson Education) starts with these words:

 Most students approach a study skills course (or book) with little or no enthusiasm.
It’s not one of the most popular topics in the course catalog…Most students come to
their post-secondary education believing they have the tools needed to succeed in college. (3)

They are ready to get in, get out, and get ahead.  A study skills course seems to be a needless complication.  And, that’s understandable!

But there may be a bit of illusory superiority here.  A recent national study (CIRP 2010) found that nearly 72% of incoming first-year college students rated their academic abilities as “above average”/”highest 10%.”  Nearly two-thirds of the entering students “expected” to receive grades of “B” or higher.  Hmm.

While we might generally see study skills as dry academic skills, they represent much more. From my perspective of 30 years in the classroom, I have found that study skills are more than just learning how to read a textbook, take class notes, and score well on a test.  Study skills are really about discipline; about developing habits that move you and me (not just students) closer to our goals; about little choices that have huge results.

I am passionate when I tell students, “You will see that the skills you develop in this course will carry over to your life outside of class.  These are life skills that are transferable to your career and your relationships.” (7)

 Consider the thee core principles—really, life skill principles— that comprise the foundation for Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff (3^rd edition):

• Locus of Control
  • Locus of control (literally, focus of one’s power) describes how people explain events in their lives. In short, do we blame others or do we take responsibility for our choices?
• The Power of Practice
  • Perhaps you have heard the saying that practice might not make perfect, but it can make permanent. Take that to its logical conclusion and it is a safe bet that practicing bad habits can lead to permanent bad habits.  Effective study skills will help students develop those good habits that will serve them well.
• Critical Thinking
  • The most exciting feature of the book is its focus on this vital life skill.  The students must grapple with each study skill introduced within the context of critical thinking.  To help them, I use the R.E.D. Model. In short, as students examine their level of proficiency with each study skill, they must
    • Recognize assumptions they hold about their study skills
    • Evaluate information about their past and present study skill performances.
    • Draw conclusions based on the examination of facts.

[Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal, Forms A/B (WGCTA). Copyright © 2007 NCS Pearson, Inc.
Reproduced with permission. All rights reserved. “Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal” is a trademark, in the US and/or other countries, of Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliates(s).]

 In a recent presentation about life success I told the audience, “You don’t lose fifty pounds in thirty days.  You don’t build thrity years of wealth in six months. And you don’t create a life in one semester. Your life is the sum of the small, yet consistent, choices that you make and do each day.”

 That pretty much sums up the philosophy of this book.  There are no quick fixes.  But there are smart strategies; strategies that require critical thinking so that we can separate fact from fiction about what we can and cannot do effectively.

 A good study skills book, course, and instructor will concentrate on practical skills to build academic success as well as a positive self-image. These skills help make the transition from being a student who simply gets by to being a successful student who is aware, insightful, and confident. Again, these are important workplace and life success goals.

 For more information about Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? (3^rd edition) please visit my website (www.stevepiscitelli.com), contact me at steve@stevepiscitelli.com, or  see order information at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post.  Please pass it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You can also follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli) and click on the “LIKE” button.  Also, if you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment.  Have a wonderful week!

© 2012. Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog.

As part of our larger community we have an obligation to help it and nurture
it to an ever better place.  But we also need to be mindful of the balance
in our lives—if not for ourselves, then for those who depend upon us.

I recently had the opportunity to whittle down my “must read” stack of books on the end of my desk. This week I finished one from the stack: The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy.  The short message in Hardy’s book is simple enough:  Our life is made up of little choices we make each day of our lives. While each choice on its own may appear small, they add up—they compound over time to create who we are.

I enjoyed Hardy’s book for a number of reasons not the least of which is that it reaffirmed my writings and teachings.  In Choices for College Success (2^nd edition, Pearson Education, 2011) I make the point that it’s great to have dreams but without action the dreams become fantasies. The old adage holds: What you are doing speaks louder than what you are saying.

Hardy makes his points with poignant metaphors.  He reminded me of a strategy I have used during speaking engagements and in classroom settings.  I ask the people in front of me to:

• Visualize your most favorite spot in your home; the place where you are able to relax, unwind, and recharge.  Perhaps it is a comfortable chair; maybe it’s your bed.
• Now visualize that I walk into your home and go directly to that prized location of yours. Once there, I dump the largest, slimiest, and most putrefied pile of garbage you can imagine. Right on your favorite spot!
• How do like that?

Well, predictably, they are not pleased with that visual. They are bothered that someone would despoil something so personal and meaningful to them.

I then ask them why they would consider dumping garbage into their minds. I ask, “If you would not allow me to place garbage and unhealthy items on a thing (your favorite chair in this instance), why would you put those things into your mind?”   The point is made.

Hardy addressed a similar point in his chapter titled “Influences.” He used the metaphor of two glasses of water: one clean and clear; the other dirty and murky.  The clean one represents our minds fed with wholesome, positive, good, and uplifting information. This could come from “good” news, “good” books, “good” acquaintances, and “good” habits.  However, when we fill our minds with gossip, mean-spirited talk, ranting radio/television shows, or the evening news filled with chaos and mayhem the result is anything but a clean drink of water. The result: a dirty glass.  And now, with nothing but dirt as the filter, that is how we will tend to view the world. It can have an adverse impact on our relationships, our creativity, or physical healthy, and our emotional wellbeing.  We may end up being more fearful than hopeful; more scared and closed to the world than optimistic and open to possibilities. See the video below for a demonstration—a metaphor—that may help you visualize this situation-and what you can do about it.

As the video shows, you can apply an antidote by diluting—and eventually removing—the dirt we encounter with inspirational and positive stories and relationships. No, I’m not saying it is easy. And I am not minimizing the crud that is around us–and even happens to good people. But if you cannot avoid the bombardment of the dirtballs hurled in your direction, do what you can to add more clean water to your glass. Add enough and the dirt will be flushed away.  Make it a goal; craft a strategy; and enjoy clear thinking—not “stinkin’ thinkin’.”

Whether you have to limit your news intake, pass on the water cooler gossip, replace the tabloid with a solid piece of literature, and/or have a positive conversation with someone you love, make it a point in 2012 to search for the positive, focus on the positive, and lead a more positive life. This does not mean we should turn away from the problems of our world.  As part of our larger community we have an obligation to help it and nurture it to an ever better place.  But we also need to be mindful of the balance needed in our lives—if not for ourselves, then for those who depend upon us.

Your small choices will create your larger life.

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post.  Please pass it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You can also follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli) and click on the “LIKE” button.  Also, if you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment.  Have a wonderful week!

© 2012. Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog.

Consider this a look back as we look ahead to the New Year.

Perhaps a nugget or two will provide inspiration.

 It was back in May of 2010 when I made the decision to begin my first blog. I had 3 goals:

• Experience a new (for me) aspect of social media
• Develop and flesh out new ideas
• Provide something worthwhile—not just another cyber rant.

I believe I have accomplished the first and the second. It is up to you whether I have accomplished the third.  My blog posts contain videos, book recommendations and summaries, questions to ponder, and always a takeaway to apply immediately to life.

 For this last-of-the-year post, I have returned to each of the previous 51 posts I have made to the blog in 2011—and provided a summary statement about each. I have linked each title to the actual blog should you want to read it or re-read it.

 Consider this a look back as we move toward the New Year. Perhaps a nugget or two will provide inspiration.    (Image: digitalart/freedigitalphoto.net)

 Thank you for your continued support and comments.  All the best to you and your family and your friends as you enjoy a wonderful 2012!

1. 1.      Grounded And Rounded: *Student suggestions on staying focused and moving toward your goals.
2. What Do Effective Teachers Do? *An examination of what effective teachers do—and how they care about what they do.
3. The Student Perspective: What Do Effective Teachers Do? *A non-scientific survey of my students revealed their Top Ten Characteristics of Effective Teachers.
4. The Antidote for Toxic Meetings: Be Brief, Be Bright, and Be Gone! *One of a few posts I wrote this year about the need for leaders NOT to live up to the expectations of dull, boring, and sleep-inducing meetings.
5. How to Make Ideas Stick *Six steps (with examples) on how to get your point across to other people. Teachers, managers, parents, and others can benefit from this advice.
6. Three Good Things *Promoting an attitude of gratitude.
7. Happy Valentine’s Day: The First 35 Years *Thoughts on a “special” wedding anniversary.
8.  In the Present Moment *Reflections and suggestions for quality down time.
9. Stanton College Preparatory School: Alumni Making a Difference *A tribute to past students and a wonderful school.
10. An Archaic System? Evaluating Assumptions About Education *We can be short-changing students if we continue on a path of “speed to market” with their education.
11. Guns in the Classroom *Florida legislators wanted to allow guns in college classrooms. This did not pass into law.
12. What We Say, We Become * With so many words uttered each day, we may forget that what we say does have an impact. On others and on our own growth and wellbeing.
13. Saluting Spring! *A Jamaican twist on an old song to help us usher in the good weather.
14. Mickey Mantle, Jamaica, and a Leisurely Read *The joy of reading for pleasure.
15. Little Pleasures and Great Treasures * Many little things that add up to a great ride.
16. Passion, Talent, Money *Finding the “sweet spot” where your talents and passions meet—and you get paid to do it!
17. Remembering Dezmond Waters *A tribute to a friend and a community leader.
18. Education and Politics: Problems or Solutions? * Do the folks who make the laws governing our schools have the best seat in the educational house to pass judgment?
19. We Need More John Hunters * Remembering years ago when, with my students, we  experimented; we had fun; we had standards; and we worked. It was a day that teachers were allowed to teach; they had lots of latitude.
20. Rethinking Pomp and Circumstance *Thoughts about whether a time-honored tradition has outlived itself.
21. Life In The Happy Place! *A tribute to Atlantic Beach, Florida.
22. Observations From The Airport *The tile pretty much sums this one up.
23. College Completion: Asking the Right Questions *In education, what do we need to stop doing, keep doing, and start doing?
24. Words Matter *Ten rules for successful communication from a master of communication (not me!)
25. 100 Years of Marriage *Three married couples celebrate 100 years of marriage.
26. Teaching: Creating An Experience *Thoughts on what “drives” my teaching.
27. Patience. Patience! Patience? *Twelve lessons learned from shoulder surgery.
28. Lessons from “Larry Crowne” *Real world applications about the good that community colleges do for our students and society.
29. Government Overreach–OR Keeping Parents Accountable? * If a child is obese, should the parent be arrested for child abuse?
30. Finding the Sweet Spot of Success and Personal Wellbeing * If we can balance, hone, and focus on each component of our lives we put ourselves in a better place to reach our goals.
31. Are You A Critical Thinker? * What passes for critical thought many times is little more than narrow agendas that are presented with little or no objective information.
32. The Power of Social Media *Four principles to help you make the most from your social media communication.
33. Two Generations of Teachers Make a Difference for Our World *A tribute to a retiring colleague as well as two of the younger teachers who do well for our students and community.
34. Lessons from Buddy (My Dog) *One person responded to the blog with, “Sounds like Buddy has life figured out.” He does!
35. Thirty Years. A New Semester. Some Enduring Lessons. * I share my appreciation for the opportunity to work with a new group of students and to be a part of (if even in a small way) their journey.
36. Sage Suggestions for Students *If you were to speak with a group of college students, what advice would you pass along? See what a Facebook survey yielded.
37. I Know…But…! * If you have a presentation to make, please do NOT do these things.
38. Dreams–Revisited *Strategies for effective goal setting—and movement.
39. Blogging with a Purpose * Blogging is a form of social media that has become part of our culture.
40. Hit The Reset Button * Stop. Be. Reset.
41. My Forever Friend * Who are the people who are there for you—and you for them? Who are your forever friends? Have you told them lately?
42. Going for the Goal * Sometimes mentors can help us…And while they are of incalculable value, there is another resource that sometimes gets ignored. You!
43. Redundant Mediocrity * Let’s not accept ongoing-mediocrity. Let’s recognize and celebrate remarkable consistency.
44. An Awareness of Civility *Would the corporate world tolerate—let alone accept—the incivility that occurs in our classrooms?
45. Building Transformative Relationships *Are you enchanting in your relationships?
46. A Code for Life *Elegance of simplicity coupled with the power of integrity.
47. Where is Your Get Up and Do? *Procrastination is a dream killer.
48. Warholism: What Would We Have Done? * Social media IS a game-changer for all of us. In more than one way.
49. Philosophical Differences or Ideological Inflexibility? *Once we commit to an ideological road it becomes increasingly difficult to consider counter arguments or even think about compromise.
50. Psychic Wages and Passion *The rewards of teaching—former students teaching current students.
51. Time to Hit the Reset Button: Reprise * While we may not always have the opportunity to find, at the needed time, a quiet place to just “be,” the advice is worth heeding. Stop. Be. Reset.
52. A Blogger’s Retrospective: 2011 in Review *Here it is. The annual review of the year’s titles for this blog.

 Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post.  Please pass it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You can also follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli) and click on the “LIKE” button.  Also, if you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment.  Have a wonderful week!

© 2011. Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog.

While we may not always have the opportunity to find,
at the needed time, a quiet place to just “be,”
the advice is worth heeding.  Stop. Be. Reset.

I wrote the words above in October of this year (Hit the Reset Button). The reminder was to slow down and take a breath.  Now that another semester is in the books, it’s time to reflect, refresh, and renew for the coming year. I have graded the last final exam, posted the grades and revised my syllabi for the coming semester. Time to stop, be, and reset.

In keeping with this theme of reflecting, I will leave you with one strategy, one announcement, and one reminder.

The Strategy: What Have I Done With 2011?

Sometimes at the end of a year (or a semester; or a particularly long project) we might be tempted to sigh, “I am glad that’s over. Let’s move on to the next one.”  I remember at a New Year’s Eve party many years ago, someone going through the ritual of burning her calendar for the ending year.  It was for this person a cleansing experience and a way of saying good riddance to the previous twelve months.

For me, rather than burn it, I plan to print out the entirety of my Outlook 2011 calendar. I will then sit down and take time to review what I did (and did not) do. I will look at each project, each task, and each appointment and ask myself some basic questions:

• Was the time and effort worth the return (emotionally, socially, physically, spiritually, and financially)?
• Was I passionate about what I did? Did it bring joy?
• Were my relationships energizing—or did I end up with too many energy vampires in my life? And—was I an energy vampire for those around me?
• Did I take time for the people who are really important in my life? Or was it all about me?
• Did I take care of my personal wellbeing?
• Did I use my talents for the best possible purposes to serve those around me? Did I end up being redundantly mediocre or remarkably consistent?
• Did I give back to my community?

Rather than “burn” the year to a pile of ashes, I want to burn 2011 into my memory so that I can become a better person for it in 2012.

As a side note, next week’s blog post will be the last for 2011. I will post a retrospective of my 2011 posts (with a short summary of each one and a link to each post). It will provide its own review of the year for you.

The Announcement: A New Book

One of my major projects for 2011 was the writing of (and completion of) my ninth book: Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? (3^rd edition, Pearson Education). I lived and breathed this project for the better part of ten months of my life.  I am thankful to Pearson Education for the opportunity to publish one more book. (It is one of the projects I will put under the microscope in my end-of-the year review.)  You will learn more about the lessons and strategies from the book during the first few months of 2012. Ordering information will be provided at that time. If you just can’t wait, there is pre-order information at Amazon and Barnes and Nobel. 

The Reminder: Count My Blessings

This morning, shortly after a beautiful sunrise, my wife and I rode our bikes on the beach.  The morning sun shined brightly in a bright blue Florida sky. The ocean waves washed up on the sand; birds fluttered above; and the community awakened for a new day.  It reminded me of the many blessings I have—we all have.  Yes, there might be crud tumbling all around us. From the economy to foreign wars, we might sometimes feel like curling up in the fetal position and hope it all goes away.  Rick Hanson tells us in Buddha’s Brain that our brains can be Teflon for positive and Velcro for negative.  We can very easily get caught up in the drama of life and forget that there are great things happening all around us—to us, because of us, or in spite of us.

In the spirit of the season, I will leave you with a classic song that reminds us to count our many blessings.  Happy holidays to you and your family.

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post.  Please pass it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You can also follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli) and click on the “LIKE” button.  Also, if you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment.  Have a wonderful week!

© 2011. Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog.

Questions were asked; minds were stretched;
and the real world came to campus.

During my undergraduate college years, a sociology professor (Norman Pollock) introduced me to the concept of “psychic wages.” These are non-monetary benefits we derive from an action. Rather than a financial payoff, a psychic wage rewards us emotionally.  While teaching has its share of challenges, it provides such “wages” on a fairly regular basis.  It’s one of our perks; it fuels the professional passion. This week I was fortunate to enjoy “payment” on three different occasions.

Three former students came to my classes to share experiences about college majors and careers.  Actually, they “came” via Skype.  With the help of technology in my Florida State College at Jacksonville classroom, Kim, Rochelle, and Jessica appeared on the big screen.  Students listened to their wisdom and strategies. Questions were asked; minds were stretched; and the real world came to campus.

Kim and Rochelle were students of mine at Stanton College Preparatory School back in the 1980s. Kim was a precocious ninth-grade economics and government student who had a passion for ballet dancing.  Rochelle livened up my sociology and psychology classes during her junior year of high school.  She was (and still is) intellectually sharp and possessed a quick wit.  She kept me on my toes! Jessica, following a stint with the Marines, was a student of mine at then Florida Community College at Jacksonville.  (We shared the stage one night when she got the opportunity to question CNN’s Roland Martin who was appearing in a lecture series.)

Kim told the students how and why she went from being a globe-trotting engineer for nearly a dozen years to a business owner.  Rochelle shared a similar tale of being trained in wildlife ecology—and then years later taking a different road into the business world.  Jessica, currently a student at the University of Maryland spoke of how she chose UM for her studies—and lessons she has learned navigating a four-year university.

Interestingly (but not surprisingly), the three ladies in their own way repeated a theme: the need to identify and nurture your passion in life and for life. They spoke with sincerity; with credibility; and the belief that we can all find our own voice in this world. We just have to listen to ourselves.

Here are a couple of takeaways from my virtual time with three powerful young ladies:

• Job from heaven v. job from hell.  List three things from past jobs you really loved. Now, list three things from past jobs you really hated. Use these lists to help hone in on what you would like to do with your life.
• Entrepreneurs are risk-takers—but smart risk-takers.  Have (at the least) 6 to 8 months worth of living expenses salted away when you decide to take the step away from a day-job/regular paying job to pursue your passion. Passion is good…but so are food, clothing, and shelter!
• Travel is a great teacher. If you can, experience the world before you experience college.  Get some “real life” under your belt. You might discover new life directions.
• Get your priorities straight. Know why you attend college….focus on that.
• Don’t procrastinate.  If you do, that 200-page reading load you have this week will quickly turn to 400 pages next week.  Yuck!
• Have a passion for your major.
• The dollars might draw someone to a major or career—but if passion is not present, the dollars will soon become meaningless.  Can you pay the bills utilizing your skills and talents?
• Stay balanced in your life.  Take time to relax and recharge.

Listening to these sage adults was gratifying. They made a difference in our lives for the few minutes they came into the classroom.  I was proud to know them.

Kim, Rochelle, and Jessica, thank you for working with my students—and thank you for the psychic wages you passed along to me.  I am richer for it!  Love to you.

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post.  Please pass it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You can also follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli) and click on the “LIKE” button.  Also, if you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment.  Have a wonderful week!

© 2011. Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog.

Once we commit to an ideological road it becomes increasingly difficult
to consider counter arguments or even think about compromise.

Doris Kearns Goodwin’s masterful volume Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln is more than a history book. Lincoln, through Goodwin, teaches us life lessons about humility, preparation, collaboration, and compromise.  Our 16^th President came to the White House arguably under the most severe conditions of any president.  By time he was inaugurated, seven states had already seceded from the nation. Four more would leave within the next two months.  It was the beginning of a tragic four years of horrific bloodletting.

As I read the political debates of the Civil War era, the similarities with our political environment today did not escape me.  In fact, to call them “debates” is a misnomer.  They were then (and are now) more like collective monologues.  Many people talking (nay, yelling) with increasing volume—but not many people listening.  The results in the mid-19^th century were catastrophic.  Political agendas trumped rational discourse.

Bill Clinton, in his just-released book Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy, speaks to this divide:

You can have a philosophy that tends to be liberal or conservative but still be open to evidence, experience, and argument. That enables people with honest differences to find practical, principled compromise. On the other hand, fervent insistence on an ideology makes evidence, experience, and argument irrelevant…Respectful arguments are a waste of time. Compromise a weakness. (p. 28)

In short, Clinton reminds us that once we commit to an ideological road it becomes increasingly difficult to consider counter arguments or even think about compromise. Lines are drawn. Entrenchment becomes the accepted rule. Gridlock occurs. A scorched-earth policy ensues.

In critical thinking we talk about the “mind trap” of confirmation bias. Simply put, when we only look for or accept evidence that confirms what we believe we commit an error in judgment.  It can shut down honest debate; it can stall progress; it can derail personal, political, and professional relationships.  Just look at what has been happening in Washington, D.C.—and beyond.

I would venture to say we are all guilty of confirmation bias from time to time.  Clinton’s subtitle speaks to his bias: Government can and should be part of the solution to our economic problems.  I would venture to say that some reading this post, when they saw the name of our 42^nd President had a knee-jerk response (good or bad).  Based on a personal or political ideology they immediately applauded the idea or snarled at it just as readily. Confirmation bias was probably at work.

Another book I am also reading at this time is F.A. Hayek’s Road to Serfdom. This 1944 economic classic has been referenced by conservatives to support antigovernment arguments. Collectivism hurts (destroys?) individualism.  Put Hayek beside Clinton and you have two different philosophies. Can they both bring something to the table? I think so.  But we can’t learn from both if we turn one away simply because “that’s not what I think!” Ideologies can shut down movement.

As you move through your coming week, why not make (or renew) a commitment to yourself to challenge any ideological beliefs you might hold. Identify a confirmation bias when it presents itself. Find something that a philosophical opponent believes. Search for truth, common ground (even if small), and listen. Your beliefs may become stronger—or possibly you will find a nugget of truth or reason and come away with a bit of a different world view.  

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post.  Please pass it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You can also follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli) and click on the “LIKE” button.  Also, if you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment.  Have a wonderful week!

© 2011. Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog.

I previously have written on this blog about the power of social media.  While I still have so much to learn, I find that the opportunities to communicate, connect, collaborate, create, critically think, and foster change grow daily.  But alas, with the beauty come a few warts. 

Have you heard the term “Warholism” as it applies to social media?  In short, it is the desire—and the seemingly endless chase—for fame, no matter how fleeting.  It’s about looking for that 15 minutes of fame. Tina Wells (Success Magazine, December 2011, page 13) cautions that this will “eventually lead to the Facebook Effect, which occurs when millennials expose too much of their personal lives in the public domain and come to regret these decisions later in life.”

Horror stories of this over-exposure have almost become cliché.   Laura A. Stokowski, in her article “Social Media and Nurses: Promising or Perilous” (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/753317?src=mp&spon=24) writes about the problems some nurses and nursing students have understanding how basic privacy issues can affect their patients as well as their own careers.  Consider these ill-advised choices made by “heavy users” of social media (as described by Stokowski):

• An RN posted to her social networking site at the same time she was dispensing medication. Result? The nurse was fired.
• Nurses took photos of another nurse removing a sliver in an empty operating room. Then they posted the photos. Result? Disciplinary action.
• One nursing student had posted a photo of herself—with a tray of placenta and holding an umbilical cord. In the photo, the student’s hospital badge could be seen. Result?  This so-called “Placenta incident” led to the dismissal of four student nurses from the nursing program.

While such incidents can become illustrative of the minefields in the social media landscape, they also can create a self-righteous indignation. With questions like, “How could they do such a thing?” Or “We are doomed if these are the types of decisions our young adults are making!”

 Which got me to thinking, “What would we have done?”  In this case, the “we” is my generation of college students.  For anyone who went to college in the 1970s (or 1960s for that matter), consider the consequences if social media existed then as it does today.  Conjure up that image and you might experience a little shudder up and down your spine!  We may hear our contemporaries beat their chests and proclaim, “No way would I do that! I was much more discrete!”

Really?

What if back in the day (some 40 or 50 years ago), instead of pay phones and film-loaded cameras we had the social media tools of today available in our dorm rooms and fraternity houses? Consider how the landscape would’ve changed for many of us.  Can we honestly say photos or videos would not have been posted from the Friday night fraternity-sorority mixer? Or that discretion would have ruled during the pledge initiation ceremony? Or that no one would have even thought of filming your roommate engaging in a competition of who could do the most shots of beer/whisky in a short period of time? Or how about the obligatory photo of the same friend passed out after said competitive event? Or….you fill in the blank. (Image at left by Pixomar / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Hmm.

In my forthcoming book (Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff, 3^rd ed., Pearson Education), I state,

No longer do we have to wait passively for the news to reach us; we (all of us) now can be the producers. In short, social media is the phenomena that allows for consumer-generated media. It has fundamentally transformed the way we live, relate with friends and family, conduct business, and go to school…. There is absolutely no question that social media has revolutionized our world. As with any game-changing technology, life will never be the same.     

Social media IS a game-changer for all of us.  In more than one way.

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

[Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post.  Please pass it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You can also follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli) and click on the “LIKE” button.  Also, if you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment.  Have a wonderful week!]

© 2011. Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog.

Dreams are fantasies if we do not put action to them. Dreams—Action—Reality.

I am approaching the end of another semester. With it comes a lot of typical happenings such as:

• Final exams to grade,
• Grades to post,
• Next semester syllabi to prepare, and
• Students looking for that last extra credit opportunity. Why? Because they have procrastinated!

The end of the semester also is a great time for reflection on opportunities seized and opportunities lost.  In the simplest terms, the semester began almost 16 weeks ago.  What my students and I did back in August has created what we experience today.  As I wrote last year, our today is the tomorrow we created yesterday. Here are some random thoughts on procrastination and ways to beat it.

• Procrastination is a killer. It kills action. It counters motivation. It derails intentions. And it will destroy dreams.  So, what can we do about it? One thing we can do is pay attention to the fifth word of the preceding line: “do.”  It is that simple. Dreams are fantasies if we do not put action to them.  Dreams—Action—Reality.
• I have written on this blog about the power of both the words we use and the excuses we make.  Yes, events happen to us for which we did not plan. Harold S. Kushner has written about When Bad Things Happen to Good People.  We might not have control over all those external events that have an internal impact—but we do have control over how we respond (rather than react). And we have the power to make sure we do not cause the bad things to happen to ourselves.
• Last week I did an activity in class in which students could win a dime every time they finished a particular task. One student scoffed, “Only a dime?”  “Well,” I said, “how does a person lose 50 pounds? One pound at a time. How does someone save $1,000? One dime at a time.” Procrastinate on saving the dime, and we will have a more difficult time seeing the $1,000.
• At the end of June I had shoulder surgery.  In spite of the worst pain I ever remember enduring, I have absolutely no regrets about the surgery.  I am five months out from the surgery. I have been disciplined in my rehab and I now have more use from my shoulder than pre-surgery. If I had procrastinated on the surgery because of inconvenience, potential pain, or fear of the unknown, you know what? I’d still be 5 months from the end of June—but not one step closer to rehabilitation. I made the decision to do the surgery and then I made the decision to do the rehab needed. You can do the same.
• Shawn Achor reminded me of the concept of “activation energy.”  It is what we need to either start a new habit or break an old habit.  This weekend I shared a strategy with a group in Kansas City. I call it “The Two Minute Drill.”  When you feel stymied or overwhelmed by something you need to or want to do, find two minutes (120 seconds) to take a small step toward the goal.  Tomorrow, do it again.  The next day, do the drill in the morning and then do it again in the afternoon. Keep taking small steps until they add up to something bigger.  Remember that pound and that dime mentioned above.

I will leave you with an instructive video about procrastination.  It reminds us that while the doing is important, simply doing a lot of stuff is not sufficient. We have to do stuff that has a purpose and moves us toward our dreams. We have to do stuff that matters.

But first we have to get up and do!

Enjoy your week—and H.T.R.B. as needed!

[Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post.  Please pass it (and any of the archived posts on this site) along to friends and colleagues. You can also follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. If you get a chance, visit my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/stevepiscitelli) and click on the “LIKE” button.  Also, if you have suggestions for future posts, leave a comment.  Have a wonderful week!]

© 2011. Steve Piscitelli and Steve Piscitelli’s Blog.