Superior Goals
Goal setting is a funny thing. It seems like everyone has an idea of how you should do it. People who write grants and coordinate long range planning know that there are goals, objectives, strategies, and activities. The goal is “The Big Guy”. Everything else breaks it down into steps until you get to the “whatcha gonna do about it” activities.
BrainGym takes that process of creating goals and makes them very simple.
- Identify something in your life that you wish were better, easier, simpler, more relaxed, etc. Ex. I wish I could make this decision without agonizing over it.
- Answer this question in a complete sentence: “If it were ideal, how would it be?” Use “I” statements, and keep that naughty little word “NOT” out of your answer. To continue with the example above, “I easily decide which way to go.” This is “The Big Guy” mentioned above.
- Notice where in your body you experience the stress of brain-body disagreement. Even though your brain thinks it, your mouth says it, and your hand writes it, your body is tightening up as if to get ready for a sucker punch in the gut. That’s the stress that we feel when what we want is different from our perceived reality.
- Calm the stress response with a few BrainGym movements, maybe some nice soothing music, and notice the stress response settling down. (This would be the “whatcha gonna do about it” activities.)
- Restate your goal–the “if it were ideal, how would it be” statement.
- Notice how you feel now. Most likely, you will feel more at ease.
Easy breezy. In a classroom setting, it can be even simpler. Notice the chaos, lead the kids in some BrainGym activities, then notice the improvement.
Give it a try and let me know how it works for you. What? You don’t know the BrainGym movements? Seems like you have a couple of options. Check out my Powerful Reads page and get a book, or better yet, spend a few days with us in March and get some first hand, real-life experience with these Superior methods.
Hi Angie!
Brain Gym really helps ease the “Friday” stress that many, many First Grade students are experiencing. That is such a sad commentary on our Education system, yet it is so true. They know there will be tests all morning and many either shut down or get sick or freeze.
I start each Friday Reading class with a 5-10 minute session of Brain Gym. Students begin calming down, settling in and tensions melting away. They usually ask “Do we get to do that moving stuff today?” They love the opportunity to move around and laugh with their peers.
I would recommend Brain Gym to any age person.
Lynn