"Just Do It" - Beginning the Routine of Posting Weekly

My first blog post is inspired by a book that I am reading (only about four chapters into the book) Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear.

In the book, Clear states, “Success is the product of daily habits­—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations” (p. 18). Clear emphasizes how we are often focused on goals or outcomes. We should be focused on systems—the process, or daily habits, that lead to desired outcomes. The small unnoticed change that occurs within our daily habits eventually adds up to meaningful change.

I find myself in-between goals and process. I have set meaningful goals for my personal and professional growth. I am a very systems-oriented person—I can create a vision, or goal, and develop detailed systems to reach a goal. I am also a perfectionist, so I tend to perseverate on perfecting the system needed to reach my goal and can at times be paralyzed by my need for perfection. I realized reading this book that I need to follow Nike’s motto, “Just Do It!” Jump in and begin. My website and blog are a continuous work in progress and as such will never be perfect, so it’s time to just jump in and make my written reflection on this a blog a habit. 

The book, Atomic Habits by Clear, is support by behaviorist, like B. F. Skinner, theories (operant conditioning). I literally have to force myself to keep reading with an open mind, because I question the theories undergirding the thinking in the book. I have read quite a bit by researchers like Deci & Ryan, Alfie Kohn, and Daniel Pink regarding the impact of rewards on intrinsic motivation, engagement, and character development. I think of behaviorist-based programs like PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports) has a rewards-based program that facilitates extrinsically motivated compliance instead of intrinsically motivated engagement and character development. The objective researcher in my is reminded that a theory in and of itself is not necessarily good or bad, but each theory has a place in our educational day. The trick is to understand a variety of different theories and apply them in the appropriate situations to achieve the desire outcomes.

I am anxious to keep reading the book. I am anxious to understand the connections and distinctions between behaviorist rewards-based theory and motivational theory, so I can strategically apply them to improve the academic and personal achievement of my students. How am I misunderstanding and misapplying these theories? Is there a difference between behavior and character development? How can I keep an open mind to apply these various theories, and consider the research that supports them, to help my students grow to be curious joyful lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and problem solvers who persevere? I would love to hear your thoughts and perspectives.