JumpStart Vanilla Pudding Day (5/22/23)

Main Idea:  Self-awareness is the key to everything.

I’ve had several conversations this year with other people in the SEL space, and the one thing we all come to by the end of the chat is that self-awareness is the key to everything.  As in - truly - the world would be a different place if every person took even 10 seconds each day to think about what they’re thinking about.

The Illinois SEL Standards and the CASEL Wheel are both built on the foundation of Self-Awareness.

A Harvard Business Review article summed up some research:

• While a lot of people THINK they are self-aware, only 10 - 15% of people actually are self-aware.
• 2 types of self-awareness.  The first is internal: “how clearly we see our own values, passions, aspirations, fit with our environment, reactions (including thoughts, feelings, behaviors, strengths, and weaknesses), and impact on others.”
• The second type, external, is “understanding how other people view us.”

The Illinois SEL Standards and the CASEL Wheel are both built on the foundation of Self-Awareness.

This week, try this: As you look to become more self-aware, shift your questioning from WHY to WHAT.  Rather than, “Why am I so miserable at school?” try, “What can I do to make my day more enjoyable?”  According the article, “‘What’ questions help us stay objective, future-focused, and empowered to act on our new insights.”
​
Quote of the Week:  "I think self-awareness is probably the most important thing towards being a champion."  (Billie Jean King)

Educator Resource:  The Salesman [Greg Warren Standup Comedy Routine] - This family-friendly comedy special is by St. Louis native Greg Warren. It actually has nothing to do with SEL or education other than if you were part of our SEL Summer Summit in 2022 or will be attending in 2023, he’s part of our final celebration.  Well, I guess laughing is definitely SEL-related!  :)

Dad Joke:  What did the sushi roll say to the bee?  Wasabi

This is the last installment for the 22-23 school year.  I'll see you back here (or in your inbox) in September!

​~Matt Weld, ROE #40 SEL Coach