Does your child or teen seem to have to drag himself into the task of getting homework done. Maybe it is a particularly difficult coming up tonight. Or possibly just studying for an upcoming test in her least favorite subject. Wouldn't it be great if your student could suddenly experience an energy surge that would help him blast through all the work and in seemingly no time the work is completed and behind them.
Peak performance comes from perfect alignment. That means alignment of everything. It includes vision, solid plan, scheduling, teamwork, resources, tools, skills, removal of obstacles, sufficient practice and most of all a winning attitude. When the last of these things finally clicks into place an amazing thing happens. There is a tremendous burst of energy seemingly out of nowhere.
Tip 1: Identify all of the items above from vision to winning attitude. Write out a complete list of which of those things are in place for you now. Students are usually provided with a planner or calendar by their school. If this did not happen for your student that is the first step. Get a comprehensive calendar system for both you and your student.
Tip 2: Align your plan harmoniously between student and parent or among all team members involved. Be sure all necessary tasks are listed along with the person responsible for completing them. Make sure everyone involved is clear on that will be done, by whom and by when. This is critical for success in the adult world and it is important for students to practice these principles during the school years. For example if your 7th grader needs a project board from the art supply store to display a science project, then the parent or older sibling who will be driving them to the store is a "team member." The 7th grader can be sure to align calendars in a harmonious manner. This does not mean wailing to a tired mom at 7:30 p.m. "but I have to have it TONIGHT!" Train your child or teen to plan ahead and get agreement.
Tip 3: Finally when your student has taken all the above listed proper steps and begun to take action on those steps they will feel that alignment kick in. After that it is mostly a nice downhill ride.
In later years your student will be glad you spent the time and persistence to teach them these valuable success skills far earlier in life than most people get them.
To find out about a tool that gets some of this done for you, I invite you to attend a free teleseminar to help your child get organized for academic success and reduce school day stress. http://www.stressfreeschoolday.com
