Class Performance » Don’t Allow “IT” to WIN http://www.classperformance.com Brad Cohen's Website Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:16:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 New Year’s Resolutions and Not Allowing “IT” to Win! http://www.classperformance.com/2009/01/new-years-resolutions-and-not-allowing-it-to-win/ http://www.classperformance.com/2009/01/new-years-resolutions-and-not-allowing-it-to-win/#comments Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:19:24 +0000 admin http://www.classperformance.com/?p=979

New Year's Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions

What’s your New Year’s Resolution? Diet? Exercise? Not watching so much TV?  For me, I always found making a New Year’s Resolution kind of funny, because most people jump into their “new” routine and by the end of January or February, they’re back to their “old” routine again.  Instead of making a resolution this year, I challenge you to Not Allow “IT” To Win. 

 
What is it?
 
Everybody has a different “IT.”  For me ”IT” is Tourette Syndrome, for you ”IT” may be a sickness, disease, obesity, financial situation, losing a family member or a friend, finding a new job,  etc.   In my movie Front of the Class, we kept coming back to the idea that I didn’t allow “IT” or my Tourette’s win.  This is a major theme of both my book and my movie.  It’s really the theme of my life and it’s an important message I want others to not only remember, but to also act on.
 
Stephen Covey wrote the book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. The premise of this book is if you want to turn something from an action into a habit, follow the seven principle stated in his book. Two of the biggest ideas are to be PROACTIVE and THINK WIN/WIN.
 
For me, being PROACTIVE was so important as I needed to educate others first to make sure others understood TS.  Once other people knew I had TS, it made my life a lot easier.  This is why I say it is never too early to educate other people about your child’s special needs.  Don’t shy away from it, embrace it and learn how to manage your issues. 
 
For you, being PROACTIVE means to step outside your comfort zone for a little bit and start forming some new habits.  Yes, it will feel a little uncomfortable, but if you take some small steps towards not allowing “IT” to win, you can beat “IT” just like I have.  “IT” may never go away, but I do feel you’ll know how to better manage “IT” down the road.  For me with TS, “IT” has never gone away, but is age comes wisdom and I do feel like I’ve managed my life better as I’ve learned from my own lessons in life.  You won’t see me in a movie theater on the first night a movie is released sitting in the middle of the theater, that is just not smart.  But you will see me getting the DVD a few months later and watching it on my own TV in my own home.  Be PROACTIVE and have a game plan that works for you.  Be motivated enough to do something so you won’t allow “IT” to win.
 
The idea if THINK WIN/WIN is plastered all over Front of the Class. You must have a positive attitude throughout life and truly believe you CAN do it.  For me, if I started to honestly believe I would not be able to find a job as an elementary school teacher, then those negative thoughts would quickly take over and hurt my self esteem, self confidence and ultimately put me in a tough place which is difficult to rebound from.  Once you get those negative thoughts in your head, it is super hard to change that mentality.  So, stand tall, be positive and know that you won’t allow “IT” to win.
 
As the new year begins, I challenge you to think about what lies ahead and how do you plan on dealing with “IT.”  Everybody will deal with “IT” differently and I’m absolutely OK with that.  My main goal is for you to learn from my experiences in life and not allow your “IT” to win in your life.
 
How do you plan to not allow your “IT” win?
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