TL;DR:
- Introduction to a new series: Think Better.
- Understanding that our thoughts are powerful and have meaning can provide many benefits to educators.
- Think better by understanding how growth happens, not overanalyzing, and focusing on today.
What does it mean to think better? Through my lens, it means using our thoughts to propel us forward instead of holding us back. When we think better, we think clearer. We understand that our thoughts—the things we think about all day long—are powerful and have meaning. When I hear “think better,” I can’t help but also hear, “think simple” and “think with intention.”
When we as educators can learn to “think better”, we can:
- Make decisions quicker.
- Experience life with clarity.
- Find joy in the small moments.
- Stop overanalyzing everything.
- Trust in who we are.
So how do we do it? How do we as educators “think better”?
First Step: Keep It Simple!
It is important to understand how the beliefs, or the stories we believe, lead directly to the thoughts in our minds. Those thoughts then lead to feelings which, lead to the actions we take. Those actions then lead to the results that are achieved.
Taking action means making decisions. And when we think better and understand the connection between our thoughts and our actions, we make decisions quicker and with more confidence. Click To Tweet
This is a quick and simple breakdown of what I call the growth cycle. In the simplest form, it’s how growth happens! Any time we can break down our beliefs, understand our thoughts, connect those to a feeling and then take action, growth happens!
When we change the actions we take, we are growing.
Second Step: Let It Be Easy!
Taking action means making decisions. And when we think better and understand the connection between our thoughts and our actions, we make decisions quicker and with more confidence.
I’ve learned that when we make a decision, change happens.
It’s when we don’t decide that we end up feeling stuck.
Any decision is better than no decision.
This mindset can help to move us forward instead of remaining stuck where we are. If we analyze and overanalyze the decisions we have made, or could make, we often find ourselves on a merry-go-round that never ends. We are moving but not going anywhere! When we allow decisions to be just that—a decision—we are able to build our momentum and keep moving forward each day!
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Third Step: Focus on Today!
Focus on one day at a time! Our goal is to be better today than yesterday. We can then learn and reflect through today to grow into tomorrow!
So for today, as you think better, try this out. Say to yourself, “I can’t get it wrong. I’m always on the right path. Any decision is better than no decision at all. I am proud of any decision that I make because I am proud to be me!”
Stay tuned for next month’s blog post as we continue to listen, learn, and think better!
About Lindsay Titus
Lindsay Titus is a K-12 Behavior Specialist with a license in behavior analyst. As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Lindsay coaches and trains educators on the study of behavior and how to implement evidence based behavior principles in simple and easy ways! With experience as a classroom special education teacher, and behavior specialist in public schools, residential placement, and private settings, Lindsay enjoys working with all educators looking to reignite their passion for education, connect with all students, and conquer challenging behavior in any classroom setting.
