The Power of Routines

Sean Covey's book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens" was one of my favorite to teach to middle school students when I taught study skills.  This was a selfish move on my part, because, while the student did get a great deal out of the course, our work in this book was some of the most self-reflective time I had throughout the year.  Habits are powerful.

The book opens with a poem, called "Who Am I?"

I am your constant companion. I am
your greatest helper or heaviest burden.
I will push you onward or drag you down
to failure. I am completely at your command.
Half the things I do you might as well
turn over to me and I will be able to do
them quickly and correctly.

I am easily managed - you must merely
be firm with me. Show me exactly how you
want something done and after a few
lessons I will do it automatically. I am the
servant of all great individuals and, alas, of
all failures as well. Those who are great, I
have made great. Those who are failures,
I have made failures.

I am not a machine, though I work
with all the precision of a machine plus
the intelligence of a human. You may run
me for profit or run me for ruin - it
makes no difference to me.

Take me, train me, be firm with me,
and I will place the world at your feet. Be
easy with me and I will destroy you.

Who am I?

I am Habit.

As we enjoy our last bit of summer this long weekend, please remember the habits and routines that your students need to have in place in order to succeed.  Consistency is key.  Bed time, bed routine, morning routine, punishments, rewards.. it is all so much to keep track of! 

Please firm up your morning and afternoon routines, as getting to school on time is necessary for a successful start to the day.  If your house is like mine, and your child will be awake and ready for your undivided attention well before 7am all long weekend, remember this is going to help your Tuesday morning be a great transition back to the second week of school.