Have You Ever Wanted To Do Something Big?

By Oskar Cymerman | @focus2achieve | BAM! Radio Network & Teaching Channel Blogger

Eight thousand eight hundred and forty eight and it's go time.

No time like the present.

Rock, ice, wind in your face.

Eyes squinting, hands frozen, toes freezing.

Can't breathe, oxygen is low. It's called the death zone you know.

Will you stay the course, carry on, go for broke?

Behold Chomolungma, the Goddess Mother of the World.

The grandest peak of them all.

The pinnacle. The ultimate goal.

Embrace it and you have endured it.

Scale it and you have subjugated it.

Conquer it and you have crushed it.

So What Is Your Mount Everest?

Have you ever wanted to do something big? Something important? Something fulfilling?

Climbing Everest is impressive to say the least, but it's not on everybody's bucket list. We all have big things we dream of doing though. Maybe it's not listed on an official bucket list, but everyone has that one thing they secretly, or perhaps overtly, want to do. The one thing that will make life oh so much more meaningful. Or better. Or both.

Maybe you're already doing it.  If so, that's awesome! But perhaps you're still hesitating. Or maybe you are moving on to the next big thing and would like some help making it easier to get going.

Well?

Wish granted. I'll be your travel agent. My services are free.

Let's Plan Your Journey

Imagine no one can stop you. Now believe it. The only person who can stop you is YOU.

It does not have to be a full on sprint up the mountain. In fact, you are more likely to give up if you set out to do too much too soon. Your brain likes smaller chunks. Information overload is similar to having too many apps open on your desktop. First you slow down. Then you freeze.  Small steps.

5 Steps To Everywhere

1. Write down what your one big thing is in the center of a sheet of paper. That's the most crucial step. You see, once you write IT down IT's made ITS way into REALITY. No going back. No punking out.

2. Write down all the smaller things your one big thing involves. (OPTIONAL: Write down other things to keep in mind that are not connected or loosely connected to your project.)

Do Something Big Map For Writing A Book

3. Prioritize. Write a "1" next to each smaller thing that should be considered/done in the first stage. Write "2" and "3" next to the tasks/concerns that will follow stage 1.

4. Now grab a new sheet of paper or start a fresh journal page and make 3 lists out of your 1s, 2s, and 3s. Put check boxes next to each item.

5. Focus and work on list #1 until around 90% of it is done. Why 90%? There will be some overlap with other lists etc. (see below). You can prioritize each list or simply work on 1 item at a time. Repeat for lists #2 and #3.

Be flexible. It's okay to move things around between your 3 stages. You might notice that some things are more pressing or less important as you keep working through the project. Also, a few things might be important throughout each stage as life happens and you want to, for example, still have a family when you're all done.

As you are working, you will be learning, which is why taking on such big projects is so awesome and fulfilling! That means that you will end up adding things to the list and perhaps outsourcing some of them. YOU CAN'T DO IT ALL ALONE, SO ASK FOR AND ACCEPT HELP.

Putting check boxes next to each item works! You get that awesome feeling of accomplishment once you take care of even the smallest of tasks. And, it motivates you to keep going. Yes, the list is big, but each box is small. Focus on each little box. Do the deed. Check it off. Be proud.

My Mount Everest

My wife and I started dating shortly after the New Year 2000 celebrations. Don't worry. This is not about to turn into a steamy romance novel. Wrong blog. This story is about promises. Promises to ourselves that is. Broken, unfulfilled promises. I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO WRITE A BOOK. I kept saying it for years and my wife would remind me of my flakiness toward many things by using this particular example. 

"You promised you'll take the garbage out. It's just the same as with you writing a book."

"You said you will vacuum after work. You didn't, just like you didn't write this book of yours."

"You swore that you will go to the post office. Remember your book? It's still in your head."

I failed to write a book many times. It was because of fear. I didn't realize it then, but I know it now. I was afraid. Hiding. Shying away. Making excuses. 

And then I realized that I must accept it, face it, and take action to overcome fear. It was up to me all along. I just needed to start. Take the first step. Start scaling my Mount Everest. You see, my Mount Everest was not writing the book, but it was taking a good hard look at myself and taking steps toward overcoming what has hindered me all my life: Anxiety. Fear. Being Exposed.

Now, I am naked. All of the protective layers stripped. Diving head first into the uncharted waters. And though I am uncertain what the future holds, I am choosing to love it.

Start Today

C'mon. Number 1 is EASY. Do it.

Eight thousand eight hundred and forty seven. Keep climbing.

Can you start Number 2? Sure you can. Do it.

Eight thousand eight hundred and forty six, forty five, forty four... Don't look back.

You have begun your climb. Keep going. Life will never be the same again. Accept it. You will be stretched and challenged. Embrace it.

But I promise you this: You will love it.

Oskar

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed this article and find my template for accomplishing BIG THINGS useful. It works! I used it to write my first book: "Crush School: Every Student's Guide To Killing It In The Classroom" which I hope will provide students with a template for learning more effectively, overcoming anxiety, and realizing that they can accomplish big things. I am proud to announce that it is now available on Amazon.

You Have The Power To Change The World. Use It Often.

Hacking Design Thinking For Education Part 1: What Is Design Thinking?

By Oskar Cymerman | @focus2achieve | BAM! Radio Network & Teaching Channel Blogger

Inspiration. Ideation. Implementation.

There are many ways of looking at the stages of the design thinking process. Many experts believe there are 5 stages to design thinking. Some cite 4 or 6. Others 7 or more.

And guess what? They are all probably correct!

And guess what else? I bet that all of them use Inspiration, Ideation, and Implementation in some way, shape, or form for they are the bare bones basic spaces all innovations go through.

Today, I give you the first Infographic in the Hacking Design Thinking For Education Series I am creating. This is Part 1: What Is design Thinking?

Enjoy, use, and abuse it at your own will.

In my next Newsletter, I will give you the specific Design Thinking Process I use with my classes, so Sign Up if you'd like me to drop it straight in your email inbox. And share it with others who might benefit. Or not. The choice is always yours, because You Have The Power. Use It Often.

Crush School 2: 10 Study Secrets Every High Schooler Should Know (Volume 2)

$9.75

By Oskar Cymerman

Buy on Amazon

Starbucks My Classroom: Creating A 21st Century Learning Space

By Oskar Cymerman | @focus2achieve | BAM! Radio Network & Teaching Channel Blogger

The picture you see above is of my students and myself after I received a technology grant, which I used to purchase Chromebooks so that my students can learn using 21st century technology.

I already have 21st century technology. Now, I am on a mission to bring a 21st century learning space to my chemistry classroom. Traditional High School classrooms are gray, gloomy, boring, and most strikingly outdated.

About 3 months ago, I started a movement "Starbucks My Classroom," which quickly caught on social media and many educators in the US and abroad are now transforming their classrooms.

I believe that sitting in one place for close to an hour at a time is detrimental to student learning and health. Getting rid of the traditional seating you see in the picture above and creating a flexible seating space will allow for more movement, which research says is not only healthier, but also more conducive to learning. Student attention span peaks around 8-10 minutes, so allowing and promoting movement provides the necessary short brain breaks that lead to better focus and comprehension.

Our new classroom will look similarly to a coffee shop, and not like the sterile hospital-like room that, let's be honest, is not very attractive or motivating. Innovative companies, such as Google, have successfully utilized similar working spaces to support collaboration, promote more communication, increase creativity, and stimulate critical thinking and problem solving - all of which are skills necessary for success in school and at work.

Google recognized this and now it's time for schools, and the educational system as a whole, to catch on! Our kids deserve it! Our kids need it!

But don't worry. I have lesson plans and activities designed to support the new learning space. I do not plan on standing in front of the students and talking at them or showing PowerPoints so they can doze off and fall asleep.

In fact, I will do quite the opposite. I plan on being in the space with the students as their facilitator and collaborator in learning. I am implementing a blended classroom model, which allows students to use technology to learn in the classroom, with my support, as part of teams, and at their own pace. I possess expertise in brain based learning and know how to lead effective team building and teamwork and how to utilize effective learning strategies. Please take a look at my blog on education if you are interested in learning more about the work I do and the expertise I have.

I will use the funds to purchase affordable and fire-safe furniture from Target to create our new 21st century classroom. The shopping list includes 1 loveseat couch, 2 small armchairs, 2 beanbag chairs, 1 rug, 1 coffee table, 1 side table with 4 stools, 2 shelving units, 8 pillows, 8 ottomans, 2 padded tables, a bench, 2 yoga mats, and 4 exercise balls. I already have a table with 6 chairs, 3 work tables, several chairs, a lamp, 4 frames, and some decorations.

I will update on all progress on my blog and provide pictures of the new room once completed. I will also record a thank you video in which students will talk about the impact of the donations on their learning.

Please check out the Twitter hashtag#StarbucksMyRoom for more information on what I have started and other teachers are doing to get an even better idea of what flexible seating entails.

Earlier today, I created a GoFundMe campaign 21st Century Learning Space to raise funds for this worthy endeavor. I plan on raising $2190 to purchase the items I mentioned above. I am asking for your help. There are 2 ways you can do that:

1. Donate an amount of your choosing here.

2. Share the campaign with others who care about education and enjoy supporting non-profit organizations such as schools. You can do that directly from the campaign page here.

Thank you for your support in making this dream come true for our students. We are grateful for any and all donations. Please know that you can donate anonymously if you wish and that no amount is too small as they all add up to something we can all be proud of: Making a Difference and Affecting Change for the Better.

Thank You!

Oskar

PS. Remember that you have the power. Use it often.