Responsibility

As creatures of habit, we find new ways more difficult simply because they are different. Yet, to keep pace with our changing and technological times I often find that I need to let go of what seems most familiar and reach out if I am going to stay current. I am using my past experiences more as a guidepost than as a hitching post.

I think the greatest compliment one can give an individual in our changing world is that he or she is a student of something and constantly seeks to learn and grow.

I view learning as a responsibility I have for myself.

Perhaps the statement of the dear old gentleman in his late eighties best captures my … >>>

“It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
—Professor Aldus Dumbledore speaking to Harry Potter

Character can be measured by what we do when we are sure no one else is watching. This education and learning book gives specific suggestions to anyone interested in the growth of young people in order to help ensure that they develop responsible character and behavior.
—Margaret Connery, Corporate Trainer and Former Teacher

More about character education and how to promote responsibility is at the character education linkat MarvinMarshall.com.… >>>

I often say in my seminars that if you believe a youngster is an adult, then punish the youngster as you would an adult. However, if you believe that young people are not yet adults and you want to prevent their becoming incarcerated with the other 2,0000,000 imprisoned people in this country, then punishment may not be the most effective approach.

I was reminded of this when I read that 82-year-old Eugene Markovitz passed away from pneumonia. How he handled four youths after punishable behavior inspired a 1994 CBS television movie, “The Writing on the Wall,” starring Hal Landon.

The actual incident occurred on Halloween night in 1988 and attracted national media attention. As a Halloween prank, four youths struck … >>>

Cavett Roberts, the founding president of the National Speakers Association once asked, “Whatever happened to the old wooden bucket?” It was the hallmark of an era. Songs were written about it. But the romance of the oaken bucket was short lived. It had no permanent franchise on existence.

The galvanized tin bucket replaced it. Although the tin bucket did not look so glamorous, it was lighter and cheaper. But even the tin bucket had no permanence; it was also replaced. The plastic bucket costs less and is lighter still. The bucket companies went out of business because they forgot something. They thought that they were selling buckets, when in reality they were selling containers for water. They lost sight of … >>>

Living is an art, and we have a responsibility to enjoy it.

An artist cannot be continually wielding the … >>>

We have a moral responsibility to be happy.

QUESTION:|
I am returning to teaching after a 30-year absence and find that CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT is my biggest challenge. Typical high school behaviors I have experienced include LACK OF INTEREST, MANIPULATION, INAPPROPRIATE LANGUAGE, and DISREGARD FOR RULES.

Until the 1960’s, school books were replete with vocabulary words like integrity, industry, work, perseverance, self-reliance, self-examination, honesty, character, and responsibility.

There was glorification of hard work and an emphasis on education and self-discipline.

Many of our founding fathers wrote down principles which directed their thoughts and actions. Among the best known of these people were Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson.

The vocabulary words noted above were the basis of many of the principles found in these people’s journals.

To the chagrin of many of us who want to retain high standards of civility, it is very common to hear expletives and formerly unacceptable four-letter words used in daily conversations.

Not long ago, I was talking with a … >>>

In a recent article entitled, “Teaching Your Children Responsibility,” the author stated the following:

This reasoning is very common: REWARDS ARE THE RESULT OF WORK.

HOWEVER, THIS THINKING IS MISDIRECTED. Employment is contract-based. A wage is compensation for services. Therefore, tying an allowance to work is misdirected. The purpose for giving an allowance is to generate an understanding of finance, budgeting, and to experience scarcity and wealth.

Let the youngster know that the reason for the allowance is to provide some spending money coupled with the … >>>

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Each time you coerce someone into doing something by using your power of authority, you deprive that person of an opportunity to become more responsible.

Learn a more effective approach at MarvinMarshall.com.

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Question-framing mobilizes your perceptions.

For example, if  you decide that you are going to buy a four-wheel drive vehicle, you probably ask the question, “Which one should I get?” You can be sure that the next time you are on the road, you will notice Jeeps, Explorers, and Range Rovers in record numbers. You will also start to see articles in the paper and advertisements featuring these types of vehicles, and you may even discover that some of your friends and acquaintances own one.

All these would have gone unnoticed if you hadn’t set your mind on four wheel drives.

The phenomenon of seeing what we expect or want to see is called mindset or mental set.

Our mental set … >>>

"We have tried dozens of strategies to improve classroom discipline, all with limited or no success until we tried Dr. Marshall's program. I believe his program, "Discipline without Stress, Punishments, or Rewards," is the best hope public schools have in dealing with discipline issues. We are planning to implement his strategies in all eighteen of our schools."

Robert E. Beck, Ed.D., Associate Superintendent
Richmond County Schools, Hamlet, NC

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About the Book DISCIPLINE WITHOUT STRESS PUNISHMENTS OR REWARDS
How Teachers and parents Promote Responsibility & Learning

A descriptive table of contents describing the approach, three selected sections, and additional items of interest are posted at: DisciplineWithoutStress.com
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More information is available at www.marvinmarshall.com… >>>

The following is from my soon to be released book, "parenting withoiut Stress: How to Raise Responsible Kids While Keeping a Life of Your Own."

Punishments and rewards are two sides of the same motivational coin. Rewards ask, “What do they want me to do, and what will I get for doing it?”  Punishments ask, “What do they want me to do, and what happens to me if I don’t?” In both cases, the attempt is made to manipulate behavior by doing things to, rather than with, young people. At best, such approaches bring only temporary compliance. Most importantly, the foundations of both are based on consequences. Carrots are no more effective than sticks for helping … >>>

After winning the Academy Award for best female actor, Helen Hunt was asked, “How do you know which scripts to choose?”

Her response: “I always go with the one that scares me the most; it’s the one with the greatest potential for growth.”

This is a valuable concept. As M. Scott Peck, M.D. emphaized through out  his classic book, “The Road Less Travelled,” the mentally healthy person continues to grow.… >>>

Dr. Martin Brokenly is a Native American who also promotes self-discipline. He uses high expectation from a Native American or a First Nation’s perspective. Rather than coercive or manipulative approaches, Dr. Brokenleg advocates noncoercive influence: modeling, group influence, discussion, and positive expectations. Rather than a father’s saying, “You have to do this,” instead he would often say something like, “Son, some day when you are a man you will do this.” What a powerful way to encourage, nurture, empower, and establish expectations for responsible behavior! Notice that the approach does not reward, punish, or tell. The adult SHARES in order to prompt reflective thinking. This is one of the key approaches described at Discipline Without Stress.… >>>

Just as young children don’t want to be carried while they are learning to walk, adolescents don’t want adults making decisions for them.

The only way we can learn to walk is to practice walking.

Similarly, the only way to assist maturation for responsible behavior is to practice decision-making.

Each time you make a decision for another person, you deprive that person of an opportunity for maturity and responsibility.

More about promoting responsibility can be downloaded at the site MarvinMarshall.com.… >>>