New Book Study

I had the great fortune to be at the TCRWP for the summer Writing Institute this year, where Colleen Cruz was the staff developer who taught my first session class.   She spoke a lot about her new book which already sounded great from what she mentioned that week.  So I decided to go through each chapter, posting some of the highlights for myself and what I wanted to remember and hold on to.

The introduction is basically giving us some background on what her personality is like, being a "positive pessimist."  She is very realistic and was brought up that way, always being prepared for what may arise.  She even says that some research has shown how being pessimistic is actually healthier than being optimistic.  She doesn't knock being optimistic, but adds that is somewhat stresses people out when things don't work out.  So, it's best that we be prepared, knowing that there will be obstacles in our classroom, and that we need to run towards them-not away.  I noted that it seemed that she was saying, "We are in control, being proactive and prepared."

She has offered a four-stage strategy process that as you look through, each chapter or struggle you will face, she has it laid out in this fashion.

• Choose a problem to focus on.  And celebrate the opportunity it offers.
• Study why it stops us and how it can be an opportunity.
• Experiment-try something.
• Plan for ongoing work.

When you start with choosing a problem to tackle, she suggests starting with a small problem, then knock out the next, and the next.  It reminded me of the way Dave Ramsey takes care of the snow ball debt model.  Next, maybe look at what makes this happen?  Look ahead, and then, also after the problem.  She says that when studying the problem, you also want to to "consider the obstacles that will likely get in your way."  People who accomplish their goals look ahead and decide how they will tackle those obstacles before they ever even begin.    She recommends:  studying your struggle, what causes it?, why is it difficult?, what makes it an opportunity, and what might get in your way?  Lastly, try something!!!  Then reflect.

I liked the way she began.  It's interesting to hear her mindset and sets us up for why she planned her chapters the way she did.  I think this will be a very easy and nice read, with a feeling of her by my side through these processes.