Saturday, July 23, 2022

Honors Summer Read 2022: Rules of Engagement

"Katia Reading" (1974) by Balthus

Welcome to the East Central University Honors Program's Enduring Questions website!

If you are enrolled in an Enduring Questions class for the fall semester of 2022 at ECU (EQ1 or EQ3), this website is for you. Read on!

Ten percent of each student's grade in both EQ1 and EQ3 will be largely based on your responses to the questions raised here (to be exact: 60% will be based on these responses; the other 40% will be based on a semester-long activation process that is explained here).

This website is designed to spark conversation. The sort of conversation we're looking to create with this website is academic in character. Thus, your responses should consist of clear, concise statements of your ideas crafted in standard English (not text-speak!). They should be long enough to convey your thoughts, but short enough for other readers to read and respond to fairly quickly. In short, you don't want your responses to be so long that you monopolize (or kill) the conversation by going on, and on, and on.....(we all know how irritating that can be!).

Obviously, responses should not use profanity. They should be civil and respectful. People do not always agree. Responses can be critical; however, all communication is expected to be courteous and professional. Contributors' positions may be questioned; their character should not.

The object here is to reflect on some of the issues raised by the text, to connect the reading to your personal experience, and to help first- and second-year Honors students get to know each other better.

When should I begin posting my responses?
As soon as you have begin reading U Thrive by Daniel Lerner and Alan Schlechter.

When is this assignment due?
This writing assignment is designed to be completed before classes begin in August.  Details about where and how to account for and submit your word count total will be provided in class when the semester starts (preview: you will compile your comments into an email that you will send to sbenton@ecok.edu after classes begin).

How many questions should I respond to?
We do not expect you to respond to each question, but you should respond to several representing different sections of the book. We hope that by the time all the class has completed the assignment, every question will have at least one or two responses.

Are there any questions I have to answer?
Yes. The Takeaway. Only answer "The Takeaway" when you have finished reading the book. When you answer the Takeaway, you are also testifying that you have read the entire book.

How will you know if I have read the book? Will we be tested on it?
We won't test you. We'll trust you. These questions are not designed to show whether or not someone has read the book. They are designed to enrich your engagement with the book and with other Honors students. But if your answers somehow raise suspicions about whether you've read the book or not, you may get further questions. The main thing at stake is your Honor.

How much should I write?
Your responses should add up to a sum total of not less than 600 words.  Don't try to load up all 600 words into one or two comments.  You should also respond to comments left by other readers. And pose questions to other readers. (Check back later to see if anyone has responded to your comments-and respond to their responses.)  All of this writing will count toward your 600-word total.  Students are responsible for keeping track of their word total (eventually, we will ask you to cut and paste your responses into a Microsoft Word document, which has a word count feature).  This is not just a writing assignment, though; it's a reading assignment, too.  Every student is responsible for reading every word of the assigned text.

Where do I post my responses?
At the bottom of each question post, you will find a "comment" link. If it has a "0" beside it, that means no one has commented yet; as more people comment, the number will go up. When you're ready to weigh in, click on the "comments" button, read any previous comments, and start writing. Please sign your posts. And use your real name--not a nickname--so we can get to know each other).

More questions?
E-mail us at sbenton@ecok.edu!

Now, go here!

Engaging U Thrive

Above: Daniel Lerner (on the left) and Alan Schlechter (on the right)

In this post, you will find links to several questions about Daniel Lerner and Alan Schlechter's U Thrive. These questions are identified by the chapters they refer to in the book and are listed in the order in which the issues they address are raised by the text.

Once you've started reading the chapters listed below, click on the links, read the corresponding questions and comments other readers may have left (click on the "comment" button beneath each post to see them), and then join the discussion (or initiate it).

Most posts have several questions. You may answer any of them you wish. It is not necessary to answer all of them.

There is only one question that every student is required to answer.  That's the last one, referred to here as "The Takeaway." Don't answer it until you've finished reading the book. Your answer is your promise that you have read the entire book.

As you are reading, underline any passages that you consider to be thought-provoking, insightful, or artfully expressed (unless you're reading a library copy, in which case, you may want to just make note). You may want to refer to one of the passages you have underlined in "The Takeaway."

After you've finished the book and answered the questions, choose a ThriveGoal. Be prepared to share that goal at the 2022 Honors Burkean Parlor, which will meet from 7-8:30 pm on Monday, August 22nd in the Chalmers Herman Theatre.

Ch. 1. Positive Emotions: Happiness and Success

"A Successful Expedition" by Giulio Rosati (1861-1917)

In this chapter, Lerner and Schlechter discuss the relationship between happiness and success.

With their observations in mind, how would you describe your vision of personal success?

At what point in your pursuit of success do you expect to be happy?

How will you know if you are successful?

Is your definition of success in college different from your definition of success in life?

(Answer any or all of the above.)

Ch. 1. Positive Emotions: Mood Boosts


"The Wedding Dance in the Open Air" (1566) by Pieter Bruegel the Elder

Lerner and Schlechter ask readers to consider these questions:
What kinds of activities make you happy?
What delights you?
What improves your mood?

Answer any ir all of the above. We’ll be looking through these answers for possible activities that might be enhanced when more people participate in them so that the Honors Student Association might try to help make that happen, but please don’t feel that you have to only list activities that are better when done as a group.

Ch. 2. Relationships: The Xbox Conundrum


According to Lerner and Schlechter, “If your roommate shows up packing an Xbox, it is likely to cut thirty minutes off your study time each day and lower you GPA by .2 points.” In the previous chapter, Lerner and Schlechter reported that “good humor helps you score gigs that put you in a better position to succeed.” If an Xbox put you in a good mood, couldn't that help you "score gigs"?

How can you determine when short-term happiness is a threat to long-term success?

Who is best suited to make that kind of judgement about an individual—the individual themselves?

Someone close to them? Or an outsider?

Answer any or all of the above.

Ch. 2. Relationships: Student vs. Video Game

"Addiction" by Dixie Lawrence

Are you bringing an Xbox or a similar game-playing device to campus?

What’s your favorite game?

How often and how long do you play?

Have you ever played longer than you wanted to or should have?

Are there other electronic or web-based distractions that could be problems for you in the coming semester? Why or why not?

Ch. 2. Relationships: PoTAYto/PoTAHto

"Portraits Federico da Montefeltro and Battista Sforza" (1465) by Piero della Francesca

Lerner and Schlechter argue that “Understanding the distinction between [extroverts and introverts] can spell the difference between loving and loathing your roommate, your study partner, or the person you just started dating” (44).

Take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test (there are many free versions on line). Find your type (there are 16 personalities). Read the description. In the comments box, share your type (identified by four capital letters:  ESFP, INTJ, etc.) and comment on whether you think the character description accurately, inaccurately, or only partially describes you.

If enough of you take the test, it will be easier for you to find other ECU Honorables who have a personality type that is similar to yours.

Ch. 2: Relationships: Conversation Warning Signs

"Fight with Cudgels" (1820-1823) by Francisco Goya

Lerner and Schlecther identify four warning signs that a conversation is moving “below the belt” (48)

1. Escalation
2. Invalidation
3. Negative Interpretation
4. Withdrawal

After you’ve read these descriptions, identify the one that you could improve on.

Ch. 2. Relationships: Sincerely Yours

"A Lady Writing" (1665-1666) by Johannes Vermeer

Write a detailed letter of gratitude to someone who has had a positive influence on your life. It could be a family member. It could be a teacher or mentor. It could be a sibling.

Send it to them, or if you can present it to them in person, even better.

Describe the experience here. How did you feel about writing it? How about delivering it?

Ch. 3. The Engaged Life: What's Your Superpower?


"Guojo" from the series "Twenty-four Examples of Filial Devotion in the Floating World"
by 
Keisai Eisen (1790-1848)

Take the free VIA Strengths Survey at uthrive.info. The quiz should take 10-15 minutes.

Once you get a report on your greater and lesser strengths, describe how accurate you feel the report is. Give examples that illustrate its accuracy or inaccuracy.

If many of you choose to answer this question, it may help you find others who share your strengths and others who complement them.

Ch. 3. The Engaged Life: The Strengths Society Values (or Not)


The VIA Classification of Character Strengths identifies 24 character strengths (61-62).

Which of these character strengths is valued most highly in the community you grew up in (family, extended family, school, hometown, etc.)?

Which is valued mostly highly in our society more generally?

Conversely, which of these is often under-appreciated in the community you grew up in and in our society more generally?

Identify well-known people or people yo uknow who exemplify these character strengths. You may also identify TV characters or movie characters who represent these strenghts well.


Ch. 4. Mindsets: Surprised Myself


"The Surprise of the Wheat" (1936) by Maruja Mallo

This question has two parts. The first part has several options.

Part one
Choose one or more of the following:

Describe a time when you:
a) thought you couldn’t achieve something, but you later did;
b) strongly believed something but later changed your mind about it;
c) labeled yourself as a certain kind of person but later outgrew that label;
d) learned to love or enjoy something you previously disliked.

Answer any or all of the above.

Part two
Identify something that does NOT come easily to you, but that you would like to improve on.

Ch. 4. Mindsets: Thinking Traps

"Hunter with a Gun and Trap" by Niko Pirosmani (1962-1918)

Review the thinking traps described on page 92. Identify the one that pops up in your head with the most frequency.

Describe some incidents in which this trap has been sprung in your life.

Ch.5: Optimism and Pessimism: All I Did Was Ask


"Face of the Believer" (2003) by Guang Yi

According to Martin Seligman, in addition to GPA, SAT and AP results, one other important factor that makes “a difference for young adults dealing with this particularly stressful first year of college: optimism.”

Given Seligman’s research demonstrating this claim, would it be a good idea to ask Honors Program candidates this question: “On a scale from 1-10, with '1' representing ‘not at all confident,’ and '10' representing ‘absolutely confident,’ how confident are you that you will thrive in the Honors Program at ECU?”

Would it be wise for ECU’s Honors Program to consider candidates's answers to this question when they determine their suitability for the program?

Friday, July 22, 2022

Ch. 5. Optimism and Pessimism: Starting Trouble

"Hopeless" (1963) by Roy Lichtenstein

Take the Life Orientation Test at uthrive.info.

When you get the result (0-13 = Low optimism/high pessimism; 14-18 = Moderate optimism; 19-24 = high optimism/low pessimism), comment on whether you think it is accurate or not.

Describe a time when optimism or pessimism has gotten you into trouble.

Ch. 5. Optimism and Pessimism: Get 'er done


"Work No. 850" from the series "Runners" (2008) by Martin Creed

Turn a challenging 24-hour goal into a reality by completing a WOOP exercise described on page 115. You can use the WOOP app or the WOOP website or you can use index cards and a pen.

After you’ve done the exercise, describe the experience.

Ch. 6. Willpower: The Vampires

Still from "Dracula" (1931), directed by Tod Browning, starring Bela Lugosi

According to Lerner and Schlechther, the most common “willpower vampires” are:
  • Making decisions
  • Low blood sugar
  • Multitasking
  • Restraining impulses
  • Sleep deprivation
Describe which of these are the vampires that haunt you the most. Give examples.

Ch. 6. Willpower: Name Your Marshmallow

Credit: iStock/max-kegfire

According to Lerner and Schlechter, the key to avoiding temptation and procrastination patterns is to engineer your surroundings so that are not frequently encountering the things that tempt you the most. In other words, if you want to avoid eating marshmallows, don’t put the marshmallows on the table in front of you and stare at them. Leave them in another room, behind a closed cabinet door, in a locked box, whose combination is in the possession of a friend (that may be taking things too far, but you get the picture).

Describe the “marshmallows” in your life:  What are the things that tempt you the most, sometimes keeping you from more important things (like work or study) that you have, in theory, prioritized? Food? Social media? TV? Shopping? 

Consider ways that you might keep these temptation at bay and give your willpower enough rest to ensure it’s there when you need it.

Alternatively, do you have any success stories to share about techniques you have successfully used to avoid temptation and procrastination?

Ch. 7. Choice: Merely Excellent is Perfect

"A Perfect Day" (1999) by Maurizio Cattelan

According to Lerner and Schlechter (and TED Talker Barry Shwartz), “maximalizers” spend too much time wanting everything to be perfect and are less happy than “satisficers,” who are “willing to be happy with what Schwartz calls ‘merely excellent’” (144).

Describe a time in your life when you have behaved like a maximizer. What kind of things do you spend a lot of time trying to get perfect?

Ch. 7. Choice: Satisfice for the Win


"Abyss of Worries" (2009) by Takato Yamamoto

According to a 2006 study by Sheena Iyengar, Rachael Wells, and Barry Schwartz, summarized here by Lerner and Schlecther, “maximalizing might help you get to the top, but it doesn’t necessarily pave a road that leads to happiness and well-being “(148). The “maximalizer” graduating students in the study referred to, “considered more jobs, sought more options, did more social comparison” and “earned salaries that were 20 percent higher on average than their satisficing peers” (147). But they also “picked up more anxiety, stress, worry, feelings of being overwhelmed, and disappointment in the process and (as if it needed to get any worse) were less satisfied overall with their work” (147).

Describe an experience in your life when trying too hard to get things perfect may have led to less satisfaction.

Ch. 8. Stress: You've Got a Friend in Me

"The Star" (c. 1878) by Edgar Degas

Reflect on an achievement from your past. “it could be the time you ran a 5K/10k/20K, gave a stellar performance to a packed house, or aced a class that pushed you to your limits. Think about the work you put into it, and your emotions during the process. Write down a few sentences describe the achievement and what you did to accomplish it . . . [Pay special attention to] how stress played a role along the way” (153).

Ch. 8. Stress: A Mindset

"Parallel Stress" (1970) by Dennis Oppnheim

Complete and then score the “Stress Mindset Measure” on page 154.

Reflect on whether this score is accurate and describe some of the ways that this mindset has helped or harmed you in the past.

Ch. 8. Stress: The Twins


"Two Sisters" (2003) by Zhang Xiaogang

Describe a performance challenge that you were excited to take on and one that you were anxious about.

What defined the difference between the two, other than the emotions you felt?

Why did the difference challenges provoke different emotions?

Ch. 9. Mental health: Stigma Be Gone


"The Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog" (1818) by Caspar David Friedrich

According to Lerner and Schlecter, “over 30 percent of college students sought out services at the counseling center. More students are seeking are than ever before, possibly because of anti-stigma campaigns” (171).

Describe any examples you have come across that contribute to or that demonstrate the stigma associated with mental health challenges, whether in your community or in popular culture. Do you have a theory about why such stigma exists and how it can be diminished?

Ch. 10. Exercise: Gym Made Me Do It (Not)

From The Atlantic: "Letters: ‘The P.E. I Was Exposed to Was Not Evil, Just Sad’" (2019)
Image by Corbis (Getty)

Lerner and Schlechter blame elementary school gym classes for discouraging many people from developing a healthy relationship to physical activity, due in part to the emphasis those classes put on competing and winning.

For this challenge, your goal is to describe a physical activity you have engaged in and enjoyed even though you were not especially good at it. Have ever been reluctant to engage in that physical activity because you know you weren’t especially good at it? Do you still enjoy that activity and practice it with any regularity? If not, what holds you back?

Ch. 11. Nutrition: Savor It.


"Enriched Bread" (1965) by Sister Corita Kent
The cursive script in the painting above is a quote from "Create Dangerously,”
a lecture delivered by Albert Camus at the University of Uppsala in December 1957.

Here is the Camus quotation in full: "Great ideas, it has been said, come into the world as gently as doves. Perhaps then, if we listen attentively, we shall hear, amid the uproar of empires and nations, a faint flutter of wings, the gentle stirring of life and hope. Some will say that this hope lies in a nation; others, in a man. I believe rather that it is awakened, revived, nourished by millions of solitary individuals whose deeds and works every day negate frontiers and the crudest implications of history. As a result, there shines forth fleetingly the ever threatened truth that each and every man, on the foundation of his own sufferings and joys, builds for all." 

The next time you sit down to a meal, hold off on diving in for just a few moments. Turn your TV, phone, or computer off. Make sure anything else distracting you is put a way. You should be seated comfortably, not standing.

Describe the experience. Then consider: how would your life be different if you ate more slowly and made an effort to save the favors you eat?

Ch. 12. Sleep: ZZZ-up



"Laid Down Woman, Sleeping" (1899) by Felix Valloton
 
Describe your sleeping habits. Do you consistently get a good night of rest? What helps you get the sleep you need? What can you do to make your sleep patterns healthier?

Lerner and Schlechter report that “students with consistent bedtime and wake-up times had an average GPA of over 3.5, whereas the GPA of more irregular sleepers was below 2.7” (214).

Do you have consistent bedtime and wake-up times?

Ch. 13. Excellence: 10k Hrs

"Interior with Ida Playing the Piano" (1910) by Vilhelm Hammershoi

If you could spend three hours a day committed to deliberate practice with the goal of being great at one thing, what would that thing be? Is this something you are actually considering? Why or why not? How important is it to be develop a particular skill so that you become great at it?

Ch. 14. Meaning: Purpose Now

"Destiny" (1900) by John William Waterhouse

According to Lerner and Schlechter, “Understanding how our lives matter and make sense can serve as a guidepoints for almost all of actions” (249). Presumably, this includes choosing a major and a career. How important do you think it is to determine your purpose early in your college career? Do you feel like you are ahead of the curve or are you still exploring? Do you think there is any danger in declaring your purpose before you have done much exploring?

Ch. 15. Passion: What about us?

"Cheerleaders in action at Wisconsin-Marquette football game" (1939), photo by  Alfred Eisenstaedt
from the LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Image
s

According to Lerner and Schlechter, “84 percent of the 539 [college students] surveyed at the University of Montreal” believed they was at least one thing in their lives about which they were passionate and in which they engaged for an average of eight and half hours per week” (257). Do you think a similar survey of students at ECU would produce similar results? Do you think the percentage would be higher among Honors students? What factors do you think are likely to influence the percentage of students who engaged an average of 8.5 hours a week on something they are passionate about? Do you have a passion that has become a part of who you are (see description on page 258)?

Ch. 15. Passion: From OP to HP

"Required Reading" (1900) by Carl Larsson

Lerner and Schlechter differentiate between two kinds of passion:  Harmonious Passion (HP) and Obsessive Passion (OP).  They define OP as a passion you pursue “not because you find the pursuit engaging or rewarding for its own sake, but rather for the resulting promise of money, status, fame, applause, social standing or approval from parents or others you long to please” (261). If you have ever had an “Obsessive Passion,” as Lerner and Schlechter define it (see p. 262), describe it here. What was it? How did you get started with it? Do you still have it? How did you detach yourself from it?

ThriveGoals: Fall 2022


"My Bouquet to Grain Growers" (1983) by Maria Primachenko

60% of your grade on the SummerRead assignment is based on posting 600 words of comments on the SummerRead questions. These comments should be compiled in a single email, sent to sbenton@ecok.edu after classes begin. It should include a word count. The word count should not include the questions answered (but you should indicate them).

The remaining 40% of your grade on the SummerRead assignment is based on a semester-long effort to operationalize some of the principals described in U Thrive. You can choose the ThriveGoal you want to undertake. At the bottom of this post, you will see a list of ThriveGoal suggestions. Most of these require some recurring action along with a method of keeping track of the action and reflecting on it.

Begin by a choosing a ThriveGoal that will be meaningful and helpful for you. ThriveGoals are activities that you should enact at least once a week. You may repeat a ThriveGoal or you may change ThriveGoals from week to week, or you can choose to change from month to month. You may also devise your own ThriveGoal based on the principles described in U Thrive.

40% of your grade on this assignment will be determined at the end of the semester. At that time, you will email sbenton@ecok.edu a 200-word reflection on your ThriveGoals: what was helpful, what was challenging, and how you did.  You will also give yourself a grade on this assignment. That grade (0-100) will be worth 20% of your overall grade on the SummerRead assignment. The remaining 20% will be based on your 200-word reflection. If your reflection is thoughtful, you should expect to get full credit for that part of the assignment.  It is due Friday, December 2nd at 5 pm.

Pick out your first ThriveGoal before you come to the Burkean Parlor on Monday, August 22nd.

ThriveGoals (the numbers represent the chapters of U Thrive that inspired these goals)

New additions:

I-Thrive Weekly with Dr. McMahon
Inspired by our U-Thrive summer read, I'm looking at structuring weekly I-Thrive sessions on Tuesdays at 3:30-4:30 in which we examine, reflect, and apply insights from the U-Thrive book. All EQ 1 and 3 students are welcome (actually any honors student who wants to can come in my view - your call). Anchored in the premise that community promotes thriving, we will craft one that will discuss key concepts from the text, will its employ self-assessment tools, and use data from assessment to select and implement specific wellness and skills enhancement strategies. While I hoped meetings would begin in week 3, due to my COVID situation, week 4 sounds more reasonable. I will provide you with a clearer draft of current plan as soon as I can.

Origami: Paper Folding with Dr. Wells
In my personal life, I use origami to increase my wellness in many ways. It can work for you too! Learning and mastering new models and techniques creates a sense of achievement separate from school and work. The process of folding paper requires mindful attention which provides benefits similar to meditation. While not really exercise in the usual sense, it is an inherently physical activity which grounds the mind in the body and increases dexterity and coordination. It is also fun and can create beauty and joy. Absolutely no experience is required, and I will happily teach what I know to anyone interested. The world runs on paper; we may as well fold it. 

1A. The Good Day Experiment: Spend a week recording the good stuff in your life as you go through the day. When you notice patterns starting to appear, consider which one you might reliably schedule into your calendar, and then schedule thos things into your daily schedule for the subsequent week. Describe the experience here. In future weeks, you may try to incorporate new or different "good stuff" into your daily routine.

1B. Conscious Acts of Kindness. Plan a concscious act of kindness for a friend, family member, or member of the community; do that thing; savor it as it happens. Keep a record of the experience. What did you do? How did it feel?

2. Gratitude Letters. Send at least one detailed letter (or email) of gratitude to someone who has had a positive influence on your life. If you can present it to them in person, even better. Keep a record of the experience. How did you feel about writing it? How about delivering it? Did the process improve your mood?

3A. Working on Strengths. If you complete the VIA Strengths Finder exercise, work on two of your top five strengths OR one top strength and one in your bottom five.  Set a goal to use at least one of your signature strengths daily in a novel way (71). Keep a log of your progress. Set aside one day each week to reflect on your progress.

3B. Goals and Weekly Reflections. Write down your top three goals for the semester. They may be personal or academic but they must be personally meaningful. Set aside one day each week to reflect on your progress.

4. Developing a Growth mindset. Describe an area in your life in which you think you might have a fixed mindset but are open to developing a growth mindset. Make an active effort to make a change. Keep a weekly journal about your progress.

5A. ABCDE. See the world in a brighter light by consistently taking time to consider any disappointing events that happen in your life. Write out the steps described on page 114 of the textbook: Adversity, Belief, Consequence, Disputation, Energization. Remember: not me, not always, and not everything.  One day later, take time to reflect on the value of this exericse.

5B. WOOP. Use the WOOP system to accomplish daily and weekly goals. Keep a record of your goals and your feelings about the experience.

6A. Breathe, Move, Sleep. Twice a day practice one of the Breathe, Move, Sleep exercises described on pp. 132-133 to help you triumph over temptation. Keep a log of the times you’ve done this (the temptation, the exercise you completed, your feelings about the experience, and the results.

6B. Study Group. Create a Study Group. See the “Two Wills Are Better than One” exercise on p. 134. Keep a record of your regular study sessions, your feelings about them, and your results.

7. Routines. Pick some routines and stick to them without overthinking the alternatives. You might want to consider a time and place to study, the foods you eat, when you eat them, an exercise schedule, a wardrobe plan. Keep a record of your habit. Stick to the choice for at least 30 days before considering a change.

8 . Belly Breathing. Make a habit of rhythmic belly breathing (described on pp. 163-164). Keep a record of your practice, including times when you have practiced it at times of minor distress.

9. Therapy. If you are on the fence about seeing a therapist, complete the “It’s Time to Go” exercise on p. 178. If you decide that it’s “time to go,” set up an appointment. After you start therapy, complete the “Making Change Happen in the Session” exercise on page 179. Make note of the “Making It Happen’ bullet points at the bottom of page 180.

10. Workout. Create and follow an exercise plan to make sure you remain physically active. Consult the “Finding the Flow in Your Workout” exercise described on pg. 194. Set goals and, if possible, make it social by making plans to exercise with a friend.

11A. Fruits and Veggies. Increase the amount of fruits and veggies you eat every day. Keep a record of your habit.

11B. Food and Mood Journal. Keep a food and mood journal for one week (see the exercise on page 205). At the end of the week, identify patterns. The next week, increase the frequency of those foods that help you to be your best. The week after that, complete another food and mood journal. Repeat.

12. Sleep Journal. Complete the exercise: "To Hack It, Track It" (page 221). After a week, look for patterns. The next week, make some changes to improve your sleep habits. During week three, complete another sleep journal. Repeat.

13. Practice Goals. Complete the exercise: “The Development is in the Details” (pg. 243). Engage in deliberate-practice goal-setting. Set weekly and daily practice goals. Create a journal using the questions at the bottom of page 244. Soak in your improvements on a weekly or daily basis.

14. Meaning Journal. Make a list of what you find meaningful in life. Then complete the exercise “Meaning Trumps Stress” (254). Lerner and Schlecther claim that “Writing about what is meaningful and keeping physical reminders around will help you on the days when the pressures of life obscure what really matters” (255). Create and keep a journal in which you write about how you manage to keep connect your daily life with your meaning statement.

15. If you identify as someone who is has an “OP” (Obsessive Passion), complete the exercise “Making the Jump from OP to HP” (270). Keep a regular journal of your activity and your progress.

The Takeaway

 

So you've read U Thrive now. In 100 words or less, identify the part of the book that is most likely to stick with you the longest. What's your take away? Don't answer this question until you've finished reading the entire book.