February 1st, 2010

Reading Comprehension Strategy Makes Student Scream

Why did a student in a college Psychology course let out a loud scream of delight, leap out of her chair, run down the aisle and then give her professor a big hug? Read on for the rest of the story.

A friend of mine is a Professor of Psychology who is also helping his students to improve their reading comprehension. He gives tough exams and many of his students fail the tests unless they understand the concepts and principles.

Last semester he started advising a few students who were failing to read each chapter three times. He also advised these students to stop after reading each paragraph and explain it out loud to themselves. Instructions were not to go to the next paragraph until they could explain the meaning of the preceding one. This strategy was being offered to the students to help them become active readers in which they thoroughly engaged with the material for understanding and then through repetition stored the information in their long term memories.

Several students who used this strategy went from making “Fs” to making “As.” One of the students was so excited when she received her grade of “A” that she hollered out loud, bolted from her seat, ran down the aisle toward her professor and then gave him a big hug. Prior to this experience she was failing all of her college courses in spite of reading the chapters in her textbooks.

Now my friend has decided to conduct an experiment and do some action research to find out which of three different strategies will improve reading comprehension and test scores the most.

One group of students plans to read the chapters once before the next test, but will also pause after each paragraph and explain it out loud. They are not to go to the next paragraph until they understand the meaning of the preceding paragraph. Group 2 will read the chapters three times, but will not pause and explain the paragraphs. Group 3 will read each chapter three times and will also explain each paragraph three times.

Which of these three strategies will work best and in what order? Which group will make the highest scores? Which one will prove to be the most effective reading comprehension strategy? I will find out and will share the information with you in my next blog.

Copyright 2010. Raymond Gerson

Best regards,

Raymond Gerson

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January 4th, 2010

Listen to Your Life and Discover Work You Were Born to Do

“Is the life I am living, the same as the life that wants to live in me?” These are the words of Parker Palmer from his book, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation.

Are you living your life based on “oughts” and “shoulds” or on what your life and inner voice are calling you to do? It is easy to fall into the trap of pursuing a career because you or others believe this is what you “ought” to do. And yet, to “follow your bliss” and to discover the work that you were meant to do, you must listen to your heart.

Parker Palmer spent years in vocations which were not aligned with his true nature and best talents. This resulted in his being depressed for many years of his life. Eventually he returned to teaching and helping educators. This work was in harmony with the life that wanted to be expressed through him. Greater job satisfaction and the ability to make a positive contribution were the result.

One of my college students was depressed and was self-sabotaging by missing classes and turning his school work in late. For years he and others believed that he “should” become a nurse. More self-reflection helped him to realize that nursing would not be fulfilling. He had worked in hospitals before and did not enjoy it. Recalling the joy of being an athletic trainer’s assistant while in high school made him realize that he wanted to go in a different direction. For example, he remembered patching up the quarterback who went back into the game and scored the winning touchdown. This experience made him feel joy and a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

My student changed his college major and began pursuing the goal of becoming an athletic trainer. His depression disappeared, papers were turned in on time and he attended every class. He was inspired, happy, and self-motivated. His grades began to improve and he seemed like a different person.

This is an example of what can happen when you stop living your life according to “oughts” and begin living the life that wants to live in you. The clues to a career that is right for you are in your life. Let your life speak and then listen to your own inner voice. This is how you can discover the work you were born to do.

Copyright 2009. Raymond Gerson

Best regards,

Raymond Gerson

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The Power and Importance of Self-Image

December 22nd, 2009

I have been reading a book that I first read over 40 years ago. The book is called, Psychocybernetics, which was written by Maxwell Maltz in 1960. This book contained major breakthrough information at the time it was published. It is still available from amazon for two or three dollars.

What is so significant about this book? Dr. Maltz was a Plastic Surgeon who improved the physical appearance of thousands of people, especially those with deformities. Some of these people experienced major personality transformations following surgery. Others felt no different about themselves, even though photos revealed major improvements. Why? Because their self-image did not change. For example, some people who felt ugly before surgery still considered themselves unattractive after major improvements were made to their appearance. Dr. Maltz realized that our self-image or picture of how we see ourselves is extremely important.

The bad news is that our self-image defines and limits what we will achieve in life. We cannot consistently outperform what we believe to be true about ourselves. Our self-image determines our degree of happiness and fulfillment, success in relationships, and our career accomplishments and satisfaction. It also impacts our physical, emotional, and mental health.

The good news is we can change and improve our self-image. Dr. Maltz concluded that 90% of people could use at least some improvement of their self-image. His book provides practical exercises for improving one’s self-image and for managing our inner critic. As our self-image improves, so does our self-confidence and self-esteem, which are important for any type of success in life. A strong and healthy picture of ourself helps us to overcome many self-imposed limitations and beliefs.

For more information on this subject see my article on this web site called, “How to Enhance Your Self-Image” dated June 2009.

Copyright 2007. Raymond Gerson

Best regards,

Raymond Gerson

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Follow Your Bliss and Mission

December 1st, 2009

“Follow your bliss” was Mythology Professor Joseph Campbell’s reply when his students asked him, “What should I do with my life? What should be my vocation?” In other words, his message was to follow your heart and do work that brings you the greatest joy.

Your mission is a calling or higher purpose that you feel inspired to fulfill. A mission is any worthwhile purpose for which you feel a deep sense of commitment and connection. It will usually involve a cause you feel deeply about and use talents that bring you joy.

Bill Moyers recently interviewed Dr. Jane Goodall, the scientist who became well known for her work in Africa with gorillas and chimpanzees. She discovered her mission at a young age and had the courage to follow her bliss.

Fascinated by reading books about Tarzan, Jane Goodall at age eleven began to develop a longing to go to Africa to live among and study animals in the wild. Eventually, under the influence of famed anthropologist Dr. Louis Leakey, she became a scientist who spent years observing gorillas and chimps in their natural habitat.

Whereas her earlier mission had taken the form of studying animals in the wild many hours a day for years, it took on a different form over the past twenty years. As many animal species started becoming extinct or greatly reduced due to climate change, unnecessary killings and other factors, she began to travel extensively to teach others how to protect the environment and animal species. She travels over 300 hundred days a year to spread her message, especially to young people and students who often receive her as if she were a rock star. Many in her audience become actively involved in protecting animal species and the environment because of Jane Goodall’s passion and example.

The great love and compassion for animals that Dr. Goodall has was evident from her childhood. She has always been on a mission to help them, but her role as a scientist and observer diminished and her role as a teacher increased because she felt the need and inner calling to do so. Examples like hers can inspire us to discover our own mission, follow our bliss and live our dream.

For more information about Dr. Goodall and her work you can go to http://www.janegoodall.org.

Copyright 2009. Raymond Gerson

Best regards,

Raymond Gerson

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College Success: Most Students Not Ready

November 5th, 2009

ACT, Inc. (American College Training) reported that college readiness levels were 22 percent in 2008. This is startling and the numbers are even worse for low-income and underserved students. In an August 20, 2009 report ACT found that many high school graduates are unable to perform several essential college readiness skills in English, writing, math and science.

Most high school graduates are not prepared for college success or to succeed in the workforce. My work experience gives me a unique perspective about the similarities between skills needed for college success and work success. Currently, I am a part-time college professor of college success strategy and career development courses. For many years I worked as a job placement specialist and also owned an executive search and recruiting business.

Skills needed:

Here are some of the skills needed for college success, which are also necessary for success in a professional career:

• Reading comprehension
• Problem solving
• Reasoning and critical thinking
• Writing
• Note-taking
• Time management
• Goal setting
• Knowing your learning style
• Self-awareness
• Learning how to learn

These skills are even more critical for career success during our current economic crisis. Employers are much more selective in hiring during tough times. College graduates will face greater difficulty finding good jobs in the next few years but will do better than many lacking a college education.

College success will be more important now because of increased competition for jobs. Employers will be looking more closely at college majors, grades, internships, volunteer work, and related work experience. Students who prepare for high demand jobs and who excel in college will have the best job opportunities.

College enrollments increase in hard times

As job shortages increase it is likely that enrollment in colleges, especially community colleges, will grow. One reason for this is that community colleges offer vocational programs that lead to jobs in a year or two. This is appealing to both recent high school graduates as well as returning older students who need to acquire new skills quickly due to job losses.

The problem, as stated by ACT and many other sources, is that most high school graduates are not ready to succeed at a college level. What can be done?

Many colleges offer courses that can teach students how to study and learn more effectively. Effective learning strategy courses can help students succeed in their other college courses by teaching them how they learn best, goal setting, time management and many of the skills mentioned previously in this article. However high schools must start teaching post-secondary success skills to their students while they are still in high school. This will increase high school graduation rates, reduce drop outs, improve student performance and prepare high school students for post secondary education success. These skills will also prepare students for success in the 21st century workforce.

When students learn how to learn and how they learn best, this ability is also an asset when they go to work because they are able to acquire the latest job related knowledge and skills. Both college success strategy and career exploration courses are needed in high schools. This would help students come to college prepared for success rather than failure, and they would have a better idea which college majors and careers are a good match for them.

Tips for learning:

Here are a few simple study tips that can increase your learning:

• Anticipate test questions. Create and take practice quizzes before you take the actual test.
• Write brief summaries in the margin of the text in your own words.
• Study for 30-45 minutes at a time followed by short breaks.
• Pause after reading a section and ask yourself questions about what the author is saying.
• Teach what you are learning to others. It reinforces what you are learning and makes it clearer.
• Discover and identify your preferred learning style and types of intelligence.

I have seen firsthand in my courses that when a student studies, understands and applies college success strategies, grades on tests and papers quickly improve. Students also report that their grades start getting better in their other courses. When you combine willingness to work and learn how to study, you will find success can quickly come your way.

My “achievecollegesuccess” web site offers students an opportunity to take an online college success quiz and mentions training that I am providing for high school teachers, counselors and administrators. I am training them how to teach college readiness and success strategies to their students now.

Copyright 2009. Raymond Gerson

Best regards,

Raymond Gerson

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Discover Your True Vocation and Calling

October 18th, 2009

“Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your vocation.” These were the words of Aristotle and let’s look at what he is saying.

First, consider what is meant by the word “vocation.” It comes from the Latin word for “voice”. It refers to a calling that you hear or a pull from within that you feel. A calling comes from within you and inspires you to move in a certain career direction.

Your true calling is the work you feel called to do. This is the work you were born to do and will find most fulfilling. According to Aristotle, when you discover and use your best and favorite talents to fulfill a need which you are passionate about, you have found your true work. This will be a vocation that resonates with who you are and aligns with your ability to make an excellent contribution to others.

Let’s look at an example of someone who used a favorite talent to serve a need or to solve a problem that others were experiencing. The other night my wife and I watched a PBS special about the life and career of Joan Baez. She was known as the “Queen of folk music” in the 1960s and beyond. When Joan Baez was a young girl she discovered a love and talent for singing and playing the guitar. Eventually she became a well known folk singer. Even though she was using her enormous talent, she still felt that something was missing. Eventually she became a force in the peace and civil rights movements. She began using her music to protest injustice, persecution and discrimination, and the Viet Nam war.

When Joan Baez started using her talent to serve a need in the world (which she was deeply passionate about) she became fulfilled. Her talents were channeled into a higher calling or purpose. You can also find your true vocation when your special abilities and a need in the world of great interest to you come together.

Make a list of your special knowledge’s (subjects you know a lot about) and of your favorite and best skills and talents. Also make a list of needs or problems in the world that interest you. How well does your knowledge, skills and talents match up with these needs? Choose the need that calls out to you most strongly and brainstorm ways that you could fulfill this need by using your greatest ability. It is also possible that you may need more education and training to acquire the knowledge and skills to positively impact the problem in the world that you have chosen. Do what you need to do to discover and work at the vocation that is right for you. Do this and you will not only find personal fulfillment, but you will make a positive difference in the world.

Copyright 2009. Raymond Gerson

Best regards,

Raymond Gerson

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Using Your Dissatisfaction to Find Work that Matters

October 2nd, 2009

One clue for discovering work that matters to you can be found by noticing your own dissatisfaction with problems you see in the world. Are there problems that invoke compassion for others? Do you see problems or needs that make you feel sad or angry? Is there a need you would like to fulfill if you had the power to make a difference?

Dissatisfaction can be positive if you use your discontentment to make a contribution. How can you use your passion, talents, skills and knowledge to help fill a need you see in the world? Aristotle put it this way, ” Where your talents and the needs of the world meet, there lies your vocation.”

Copyright 2009. Raymond Gerson

Best regards,

Raymond Gerson

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Make the Difficult Easy

September 16th, 2009

How can you make the difficult easy? How can you make your big tasks smaller and underwhelming?

Lao Tzu, the Chinese sage and author of the Tao The Ching answers the questions above by saying, “Difficult things of the world can only be tackled when they are easy. Big things of the world can only be achieved by attending to their small beginnings.”

So it is wise to make every task seem effortless, avoid unnecessary struggle, and then achieve your objective easily. Treat everything as potentially difficult, but accomplish it in the easier stages.

Let’s look at examples. Say you have a five page paper due in two weeks. If you start working on the paper early and do a little each day it will be completed ahead of time without stress and strain. On the other hand, if you wait until the night before the paper is due you will make the task difficult and most likely will be feeling a lot of stress.

When I first started thinking about writing my book, Achieve College Success…Learn How in 20 Hours or Less, I faced the resistance of my inner critic. The negative voice inside my head said, “This will take too much time. It will be difficult. I won’t have time to enjoy my summer off from teaching.” I countered this negative resistance by replying, “I will take one small step at a time and it will get done without strain. Then I asked myself, “What is one small step that I can use to get started?” I answered this question by deciding to brainstorm a two page Table of Contents which included the topics I wanted to cover in the book. Next I wrote a two page introduction and so on. You could write a 182 page book in one year by writing a half page a day. This is what Lao Tzu means when he says, “Sow the great in the small.”

So if you tackle your challenging tasks, goals, and activities before they become problematic, you will meet with few difficulties and can achieve more with less effort. Try this with one of your goals and let me know how it goes.

Copyright 2009. Raymond Gerson

Best regards,

Raymond Gerson

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Take the Game Winning Shot (Part 2)

August 31st, 2009

Take the Game Winning Shot (Part 2)

After writing the script for Rocky 1, Sylvester Stallone wanted to play the lead role in the movie. He was repeatedly turned down. Finally one producer was willing to buy the script, but only if they could hire another actor to play the part of Rocky Balboa. They did not want Stallone for the part and thought he would be a failure. Stallone refused even though he was practically broke and at times did not have enough to eat and pay his bills. The company kept raising the price and offered him $300,000 for the script if they could hire a known actor to play Rocky. Again Stallone said no, he had to be Rocky. Finally they reduced their offer to $30,000 for the script and to allow Stallone to play the lead role.

They thought the movie was likely to fail with Stallone in the role.
Stallone accepted the $30,000 offer because this was his dream and the outcome he was pursuing. He fulfilled his desired outcome and the rest is history. Rocky 1 earned $200 million dollars and Stallone went on to make six Rocky movies and millions of dollars while living out his dream. Sylvester Stallone refused to give up on his goal. Like Rocky, he kept getting back up every time he was knocked down.

Be willing to go the extra mile for what you want. Don’t give up easily without a fight. You will miss some shots, but like Jordon and Stallone you will also achieve some of your biggest dreams.

Copyright 2009. Raymond Gerson

All the best,

Raymond Gerson

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Take the Game Winning Shot

August 24th, 2009

Take the Game Winning Shot (Part 1)

After missing thousands of shots in his career, a former basketball player admitted that he also lost hundreds of games and missed 26 game winning shots. Does this player sound like a loser and failure? Can you guess this basketball player’s name?

He is Michael Jordon, one of the greatest to ever play the game. Today he is remembered for his success on the court and not for the shots he missed.

The road to success includes failures, mistakes, and “missed shots.” None of us are perfect, but we can keep improving through our efforts. What if Michael Jordon had given up the game of basketball because of missed shots? What a loss that would have been for him, for his fans, and for the game of basketball. Fortunately he did not quit and went all out giving his very best effort day after day.

When you take a lot of shots or make many attempts to achieve your goals, you will miss the target from time to time. And it is also likely that you will sink some baskets, accumulate points, and win at the game of life.

Go for your dreams in the same way that Michael Jordon shot at the basket and pursued the game of basketball. Take your shots without concern about whether or not you miss your target now and then. Use your mistakes and so called “failures” as feedback for your improvement. Don’t give up easily on yourself or on your goals. If you want something enough it is worth working for with your whole heart.

Copyright 2009. Raymond Gerson

Best regards,

Raymond Gerson

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