"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
-Albert Einstein
Goals are S.M.A.R.T: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-based.
Dreams are B.I.G.: Bold, Innovate, and Grand
The Power Pyramid
"You can use the Power Pyramid at any time to gauge how positive your attitude is. Are you feeling powerful right now, focusing on fun, gratitude, excitement, or anticipation ("95ing")? Or are you giving away your power by complaining, blaming, and focusing on your problems ("5ing")?"
Discussion:
If you're comfortable, share a dream and/or goal you have envisioned.
Would any PLCers like to share strategies for moving up the pyramid ("95ing") when they realize they are "5ing"?
Speaking of "95ing," M.K. Mueller mentions that a simple way to get to "95" quickly is to take one minute each day to "write down three things you're grateful for from the past twenty-four hours, no repeats." Has anyone tried this?
Feel free to add general comments on Hi-Way 1 as well.
Check this out!
M.K. Mueller's latest 8 to Great newsletter features some of Twila's students and their "Wall of Gratitude." Very cool, Twila!
High-Way 1 is a reminder that you DO have to the power to co-create wealth, health, and the job of your dreams-powers you've forgotten and haven't been using to their full capacity. Your power lies within. The most successful adults NEVER stop dreaming. They understand that their thoughts become their beliefs which then become their future. When we stay focused on WHAT we want and WHY we want it, it will come to us at just the right time. When we can release our attachment to the WHEN of our dreams, we'll have the freedom to enjoy each and every moment in the present. I loved the Daily Gratitude Ritual because we do a lot of this at my school. Staff members share 5 gratitudes with each other a week and teachers at my school have students share daily gratitudes also. Many of today's intentions will turn into tomorrow's GRATITUDES.
ReplyDeleteOK, colleagues, I am going out on a limb here, but really struggled with this first chapter.I don't know if I am missing something, or maybe I just need to keep reading, but the feeling I came away with after reading this, is that life is all about ME and what I WANT (which I disagree with). She focuses a lot on getting material things and money, and I think I somehow missed the connection between envisioning the goal and achieving it (she doesn't seem to encourage hard work, and perseverence. The way I understood it is: just think of it and it will happen???) The part about getting surprise money seems very strange to me, I don't see the connection between wishing for money and then getting it, especially the example she gives about her son getting money for his trip (she actually tells him not to do chores to do money, but just visualize getting it???) I can understand setting goals and visualizing those goals, but I wish she would use examples that didn't seem so materialistic. Now, once again, maybe I need to continue reading and this will be shared in future high-ways. I also do love the idea of the daily gratitudes...and how it can change your outlook and state of mind. That is a wonderful exercise, something everyone can benefit from. There were just parts of this chapter that really made me scratch my head, and I wonder if anyone else felt the same??
ReplyDeleteI hope everyone has enjoyed reading about the power pyramid and Highway #1 "Get the Picture". I know three years ago, when I was introduced to 8 to Great I was at a low point in my life. Now after using this process for the past few years, I can honestly say that I am happy with my life.
ReplyDeleteI would like to comment on a few things Penny posted. Again this is only my opinion. First, you need to keep reading because this is only the first highway; 8TG is a whole process, not just a one-step-wonder. The whole idea of "conceive, believe, achieve" is what the happiest, healthiest,
most successful people do. They first envision the change.
Secondly, MK does encourage her son to "do" something; but first she encourages him to see himself there and figure out what he can do to make that vision come true. He's the one who writes the letter, etc.
As far as "all about me", MK/8TG/the power pyramid just reminds us that we are in charge of our lives. MK uses the examples of money and material things because they are the most tangible for people to understand.
As far as the power pyramid goes, when I am at the bottom, "5ing", I simply look at my gratitude list or my gratitude wall. For over three years now, I have been writing down 3 grats on a daily basis. I share those 3 grats with about 15-20 friends via email. It is so awesome to open up my email every day and read about other peoples gratitudes. One quick look at the grats and I am smiling again.
I know this is getting pretty long, but I would like to share one of my dreams with you. Over three years ago, when I was taking the 8 to Great training, MK had us pair up. I was paired with Mr. Bliefernich. We were asked to share our dream with our partner. We were to describe our dream as if it already happened. This is what I shared. My dream is to have a street in Hastings, Nebraska, named after me. My street is at a very busy intersection where lots and lots of people will see it. My street sign is green with white letters. My last name is on the street sign in all caps. The reason I have this dream is because when my son was a third grader, they went on a bike ride around Hastings discussing all of the important people and their contributions to Hastings. After that bike ride, when my son would see a street sign with one of those peoples name on it he would say there is so-and-so and this is what he did for Hastings. I want to have that same impact on a child's life. Then Christmas came along. One of my students, Zach Hunt, came into my classroom with a Christmas gift for me. On the outside of the gift was a card that Zach made. It said, "DREAM BIG"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I opened the present and inside was a green street sign with all what caps that spelled KNEHANS, just like I dreamed about. I cried, happy tears. That street sign is now hanging in my classroom, where I continue to make a difference in the lives of my students. I truly believe that I have positively impacted Zach's life and I know that Zach Hunt has strongly affected my life. It was the best Christmas present I have every received.
Twila Knehans
I like the pyramid and "95ing and "5"ing..... visualizing the pyramid helps me with my own struggles....I tend to react negatively to things going on in my day...so this helps with a positive reaction. I love the 3 daily grats....this too has helped my positive vs. negative thinking.
ReplyDeleteI have trouble visualizing my goals, but have never thought of this in this way before.
Good discussion!!!
I agree with Jodi on the pyramid. I now catch myself looking through all of the people that I associate with and think about if they are 95 or 5. I also see that there are some people that I feel better talking to--they are more positive and have a better outlook on things. I also believe that dreams are attainable. You do have to have the focus and belief in order to achieve them, but dreams do happen---my son Jaxen is my proof. Sometimes dream take time to achieve, but you have to have the attitude that you will continue to strive for that dream.
ReplyDeleteWow what could happen if we all lived in the "95". Imagine what we could accomplish in our daily lives if all of us lived closer to the "95" then the "5". Lets Dream Big, all of us have dreams but some of us are afraid to pursue them as mentioned in the book. If I look at my dreams it gets me excited and I can visualize the dream coming true. The key is to believe in it. It is up to us to make that dream come true.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to try the gratitudes, what a better way to start and end each day by writing and reading your gratitudes. High-way was great read can't wait to read on.
I'm with you, Lonnie. The Power Pyramid really hit home with me, too! I'm so much more aware now of when I'm basking in the sun of a "95" or wallowing in the gray skies of a "5." Shelly, you're right, I'm noticing more and more where others are on the scale as well. Those who are near the top of the pyramid sure are fun to hang around!
ReplyDeleteTwila mentioned that she returns to her gratitudes when she feels like she's slipping lower on the pyramid. What great advice! I've been jotting down my gratitudes for about a month now -- what a powerful tool for staying in the "95" zone. And imagine how surprised I was when Madison came home from school on Wednesday, ready to write down her three gratitudes for the day. She had no idea that I had been doing the same exercise, and to see her excitement to complete her "assignment" was absolutely awesome. So, on my list that night, I was grateful for the Wallace teachers who shared the concept of gratitudes with their students!
Love that Jaxson is Shelly's proof that dreams do happen. :) I have my own proof, too, so I'll keep dreaming big and visualizing success!
We have to keep our focus in order to achieve our dreams. Without dreaming or identifying our dreams we as often get stuck in the "5" because we do not have direction or lack something to drive us. When we have something to strive for and focus on, being in the 95 becomes a lot easier.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with Penny though at times it felt as if the "working for part" lacked in the message. I also know that this will come as we read farther into the book. You cannot work for something if you do not know what you are working for is what I believe the message is during this part. Anything is possible if you dream it and focus on it.
We are blessed and by share our "gratitudes", even with just ourselves. It is a great way to remind oneself life is good and to be positive. I cannot help but smile when I think of my wonderful family, decorating for Christmas, picnics in the living room, working with people that have passion, and the chance to continue learning. We all have things to be thankful. I am looking forward to continue reading.
Just wanted to share with everyone that MK Mueller has another book coming out Dec. 15th. Included in this book is one of our former Adams Central students dream. Here it is
ReplyDeleteLast year during our 8 to Great class, junior Zach Hollister dreamed about playing in the class B championship football game at Memorial Field. When interviewed (during this Congratulations game) he described the cool fall weather during the championship game. He also described the opponents as wearing green.
At the end of that season, Zach did not play in the championship football game, but Omaha Skutt (who is green) did play. Zach began to doubt dreaming, manifasting, and 8 to Great. We discussed the fact that the road to success is not always smooth, but has bumps and turns along the way.
Today, a year later, Zach came down to my room with the biggest smile on his face. He told me he was selected through auditions to sing the national anthem at memorial field for the Class B championship game! One of the teams is wearing green. ZACH HOLLISTER'S DREAM HAS COME TRUE!
- Twila, Nebraska
I have to agree with what Penny said...this reminds me somewhat of The Secret." I don't think you can just get there by hoping and visualizing. However, I do think that a person's attitude does attract either positive or negative responses.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying the book. I especially like the past, present and future gratitudes. It gives a new perspective on one's life.
-Jackie Koepke
You all have great insight and comments. Since I am one of the last, I struggle to find anything new to say other than my take on things. I have similar thoughts along with what Penny was saying. I like the gratitudes and the Power Pyramid hit home as well. I have a lot of questions, so hopefully I will find them along the way. I have looked forward to reading this book and am enjoying it. I am starting to right down 3 gratitudes a day.
ReplyDeleteI posted l last week and I don't see it here so I'll do a quick one. I too agree with everyone else and am doing the gratitude journal which has been interesting. When I'm feeling down I think about 95ing. The part about visualizing dreams brought back a lot of thoughts about my children growing up. As parents you have dreams for your kids. I always shared them with my children and many came true for them. One dream I had was to go into medicine which I didn't do but my dream was for my son to do it and he did. It was something I talked to him about from grade school through high school. As teachers we need to remember to help our students dream because those dreams do come true.
ReplyDelete