GRIT, HABITS & DELIBERATE PRACTICE -
LESSON 6:

EFFORT AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT

DEBRIEF: IN THIS ACTIVITY, IT IS NOT JUST SHEER STRENGTH THAT WINS OUT (ALTHOUGH IT HELPS!). IT IS ALSO ABOUT THE DIRECTION AND TIMING OF THE FORCE. IT IS ABOUT STRATEGY. WHEN WE MANAGE OUR EFFORT AND ENERGY, IT IS ABOUT CHOOSING THE RIGHT THINGS TO PUT TIME INTO (NOT JUST ABOUT WORKING HARDER). WE NEED TO PRIORITISE AND GIVE TIME TO THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN OUR LIVES. THERE IS NO SENSE WORKING REALLY HARD ON SOMETHING THAT IS NOT GOING TO CONTRIBUTE TO A BETTER OUTCOME FOR OUR LIFE.

PART 1- (5 MINUTES)

Rationale

  • we can not manage time, we can only manage our energy and effort

  • each time we say "yes" to something, we say "no" to something else. We need to ensure that we are saying "yes" to the right things.

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners should:

  • understand the Eisenhower matrix

  • identify their own "big rocks", and the things they need to minimise / eliminate in their life

  • have developed a weekly schedule by placing their "big rocks" in first

PART 2- WATCH, REFLECT, SHARE- (5-10 MINUTES)

A quick and easy introduction to managing our effort and energy.

As a class, have a brainstorm of sorts of things that might fit into each box for the students in the group. Record them in your workbook. Then discuss responses and why students felt they went in the relevant quadrant. Here are a few examples to get started (ask the class where they would place these items): homework, social media on my phone, preparing for an exam in 2 weeks time, sports practice, feeding my pet dog, getting some physical activity.

PART 3- WATCH AND REFLECT- (15-20 MINUTES)

 

Feel like you're busy all day but not getting anything done? This object lesson inspired by Stephen Covey will show you why that is and what you can do to become more effective in life. It's all about putting those Big Rocks first in your calendar.

a) Write down the big rocks (most important priorities) in your life at present. List of 4 maximum. Possibly under the areas of learning, health, relationships and extra-curricular (see here for template).
b) Decide 3 things that you will say “no” to this school term in order to edit out and live the life you want to live.
Some examples of time, energy and effort destroyers are:

  • social media after 8pm

  • computer games on weeknights

  • music while I do my study (multitasking is a myth)

  • turning off the alarm so sleeping in and missing the school bus

  • overeating

  • being up past a certain time.

Share your responses with a partner.

PART 4- COMPLETE THE WEEKLY SCHEDULE- (10-15 minutes)

  • Complete the weekly schedule here. Be sure to put your big rocks into your calendar first and make sure they get the time they deserve.

HOMEWORK

Students are to consider how well they are able to stick to their weekly schedule between now and the next THRIVE lesson. Questions for discussion will include: Did they manage to stick with their big rocks? Did they successfully eliminate any time destroyers? What would they change in order to experience success with this (where they are pretty much able to live their life by committing time for big rocks)?