Chapter 2
Becoming a
Successful Student
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
The purpose of this chapter is to
learn skills to develop and
maintain motivation to meet the
challenges of college.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Are you ready?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Learning Outcomes


Identify sources of motivation.
Use visualization as a source of motivation.
 Construct your own visions of success.
 Develop specific plans to complete longer-term tasks.
 Make appropriate time for recreation and fun.
 Learn strategies for creating a successful self-image.
 Seek and foster support from friends and family.
 Seek out good role models.
 Use self-talk for motivation.
 Use self-discipline to stay on track with your educational
goals.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
The worlds of thought and action
overlap. What you think
has a way of becoming true.
—Roger von Oech
Creativity expert and writer
What did von Oech mean?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Motivation Factors  Can create positive or
negative motivation, depending on your direction.
Vision
Plans
Self-Talk
Self-Discipline

Goals
Self-Esteem
Role models
Family and friends support
Each of the above supports and energizes
the others.
 Which of the above motivate you most to
meet the challenges in college?
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Visualization  Developing Your
Image of the Possibilities
Dr. Denis Waitley, author of Psychology of
Success, describes visualization as a mental
simulation.

In his book, Dr. Waitley describes a
visualization experiment conducted with three
groups of high school basketball players.
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Three Experimental Groups
 Group
1 was told not to practice free
throws for one month.
 Group 2 was told to practice free throw
shooting every afternoon for one hour for
one month.
 Group 3 was told to practice free throw
shooting in their imagination every
afternoon for one hour for one month.
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Experiment Results
 Group
1 (skipped free throw practice for a
month) slipped in their percentage of free
throws.
 Group 2 (with actual practice) improved.
 Group 3 (using mental
simulation/visualization alone) improved
the most.
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Create Your Motivating Vision
for College
 Understand
how your education relates to
your career.
 Believe
that your education is valuable
and worthwhile.
 Write/create
your vision for staying
motivated in college.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
-Small Group DiscussionThink about it!
We choose if and how we visualize the future.
1.
How does a clear and positive vision
help you succeed?
2.
Discuss and list the similarities between
visualization and planning.
 Inspire Success  Practice Visualizing
what you want to accomplish!
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SELF-TALK: The Inner Conversations We
Have with Ourselves = Programming
 Hand-in-hand
with visualization is the
concept of self-talk.
 In
the same way that we choose if and
how we visualize the future, we also
choose the way we think about the present
and future.
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Self-Talk





Includes thoughts, ideas, feelings, impressions,
and wordless physical responses, like fear.
Mostly unconscious.
The longer you have bought the thought, the
“truer” it is = programming.
Researchers estimate that 75% is negative.
We’re engaged in a nearly constant monologue
with ourselves.
 Give an example of what is meant in the
previous sentence.
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Rules of Self-Talk
1. The human brain is a physiological organ
which through a specific electrochemical
process collects, processes, stores, and
acts on information it receives.
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Rules of Self-Talk continued
2. Self-talk/thoughts cause the brain to:



Release appropriate control chemicals into
the body.
Alert the nervous system to any required
response or action.
Store the thought/impression for future use.
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Rules of Self-Talk continued
3. Information presented to the subconscious
mind triggers both a physical response and a
psychological response.
Discussion Question  Think About It!
What happens when we continually say,
 “I can’t do math.” OR
 “I can’t write.” OR
 other similar negative self-talk?
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Rules of Self-Talk continued
4. Every thought you think has an effect on the
entire “you” whether you are aware of it or not.
5. Any information presented to the subconscious
mind is linked to, and affected by, previously
stored information.

Any new program you receive is compared with,
and modified by, every old program you have
stored.
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Rules of Self-Talk continued
6. The subconscious mind is a neutral
mechanism which responds to
information without subjective regard for
its accuracy or its value.


It will, if you program it properly, tell you
what’s right and wrong.
You can present it with new programs to
override or replace old programs.
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Rules of Self-Talk continued
7. The subconscious mind holds no beliefs
or biases other than those which it
receives as a result of programming.
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Rules of Self-Talk continued
8. When faced with two or more programs that
are in conflict with each other, the
subconscious mind will attempt to act on the
program which is the strongest.

New programs must be strong enough to overcome
old programs.
Discussion Question  Think About It!
What is the good news with Rule 8?
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Rules of Self-Talk continued
9. The strength of the program is influenced
by the number of times the same or
similar information is presented.

Repetitive self-talk is repetitive self-direction!

Repeat . . . Repeat . . .Repeat!
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Rules of Self-Talk continued
10. The strength of the program is influenced by
the perceived importance of the source.

If you believe in the source, its messages will be
more influential.
11. The subconscious mind will, at all times,
attempt to act on its dominant operative
program.

The strongest programs you have on file in your
program banks will dominate.
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What we accomplish is indelibly linked
to what we say to ourselves.
Our behavior, self-esteem, and even our level
of stress are influenced by our self-talk.
2. Most things we do are first created by self-talk.
3. Self-talk shapes the results we get.
4. We can allow it to wander aimlessly, or we can
harness it for motivation.
1.
 Use your power of self-talk to direct and
visualize a desirable future and images of
success.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
How to Reprogram Negativity
1. It’s a mistake to start telling ourselves not
to put ourselves down.

We don’t stop thinking about something by
trying not to think about it.
2. When we use self-talk consciously, we
put ourselves back in control of the most
important part of our programming.
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3. Program Your Brain with Empowering, SelfConfidence Building Thoughts (Self-Talk)

Replace negative thoughts with positive
thoughts or directives.
I’m stupid
I blew it
I can’t do math
I can’t write
Replacement Self-Talk
 I’m smart
 I learned from it
 I will beat math
 I will work to become a
good writer
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
How to Reprogram Negativity
continued
4. Write/post/repeat your new self-talk.
5. Flood your brain with positives  repeat
and accentuate the positive.
6. Begin using new self-talk to fix
one problem at a time.
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How to Reprogram Negativity continued
7. Override the years of negative messages
with repetitive positive ones.
8. Reprogramming does not simply mean
deciding to make a change.
 It requires creating specifically worded
phrases of self-direction—self-talk.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Controlling Negative Self-Talk
1.
Negative self-talk is overwhelmingly used
to develop and nourish negative attitudes.
2.
The difficulty in becoming aware of your
self-talk is due to the speed and invisibility
of your thoughts (self-talk).

Thoughts may be lightening quick and barely
on the edge of awareness.
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Controlling Negative Self-Talk continued
3. Because self-talk has an automatic quality, it is
easy to foster the illusion that feelings arise from
spontaneous events.
4. Once we can slow down our feelings, the
thinking/self-talk underlying them can be
challenged and/or replaced.


New rational self-talk can replace old irrational self-talk.
New rational thinking can generate rational behavior.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
-Small Group Discussion QuestionsThink about it!
1.
2.
3.
4.
How can understanding your self-talk help you
help yourself?
List as many examples of your own negative
self-talk as possible.
Select the two most nagging negative
messages and write new positive messages to
override the negative messages.
List as many examples of your own positive
self-talk as possible.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
“As a man thinketh in his heart,
so he is.”

The above verse from Proverbs influenced James Allen
to write As a Man Thinketh.
Quotes from James Allen’s literary work:
 “A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the
complete sum of all his thoughts.”
 “Every action is preceded by a thought.”
 “The right thinking begins with what we say to
ourselves.”
 “If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about
these things.”
 What do you think?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Self-Discipline
“Rule your mind or it will rule you.”
—Horace
“The first and best victory is to conquer self.”
—Plato
“Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates.
There's plenty of movement, but you never know if it’s
going to be forward, backwards, or sideways.”
—H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
 Discuss how the above quotes relate to self-discipline.
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???
Have you ever found yourself
procrastinating on the things that were
actually very important to you?
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Discipline is Freedom
1. Some people think of discipline in a negative
connotation such as boring, doing without, or a lack of
freedom. In fact, the opposite is true.
2. As Stephen R. Covey once wrote, “the undisciplined are
slaves to moods, appetites and passions.”
3. And the undisciplined lack the freedom that comes with
possessing particular skills and abilities, e.g., to play a
musical instrument, speak a foreign language, be a
computer programmer, athlete, or a college graduate.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Discipline is Freedom
continued
4.
Self-discipline involves acting according to what you think instead
of how you feel in the moment.
5.
It often involves sacrificing the pleasure and thrill of the moment
for what matters most in life.
6.
Therefore, it is self-discipline that drives you to:




7.
Work diligently on homework.
Go to the gym when the couch and TV seem more appealing.
Wake early to work on yourself.
Say “no” when tempted to break your diet.
In the long run, self-discipline gives you more freedom to choose.
 Give an example of how self-discipline is freedom.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Goal-Setting and Planning is
Self-Discipline in Action
“You have a gold mine, when you have a
goal mind.” (Anonymous)
What you get by achieving your goals is not
as important as what you become by
achieving your goals. (Zig Ziglar)
 Discuss
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Goal Setting Provides Us
a Guide for Action
For the next few minutes,
each of us will establish a goal
and the steps to achieve it.
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Today you will:
a goal something you can do every
day or every other day.
 Set
 Select
a partner/classmate who will check
on your progress each day when you
arrive to class
 for the next 6 weeks.
 Use
the tools and strategies from the text.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
1. Goal Setting Ideas


Work on a paper or project
Begin fitness program
 Eat a healthful diet
 Drink adequate water
 Drink less soda
 Quit smoking
 Lose weight
 Make time for______________________
 Learn a new sport/hobby
 Get more/less sleep
 Study
 Read
 Commit kindness
 Use more humor
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Just think about it….
1. What goal do you want to achieve?
Share your goal with your classmate/partner.
  Next we will try to make it more specific with
a plan to achieve it!
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2. Develop a Specific Plan
of Action
a. Be informed—learn about effective
methods to use to achieve your goal


Losing weight ? learn about weight loss methods
Improving reading comprehension? learn about
reading strategies
b. Set a specific goal to give yourself target


I will walk a minimum of 45 minutes a day
I will drink two 8-ounce glasses of water 15 minutes
before each meal
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2. Develop a Specific Plan of Action
c.
continued
Set a specific goal to give yourself
target
 What, when, where, how long
 If appropriate make it measurable
 Consider building in flex time
Examples
 I will walk a minimum of 45 minutes a day
 I will drink two 8-ounce glasses of water 15 minutes before
each meal
 I will go to the gym at 6 am, or 5 pm depending on which
time works best.
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2. Develop a Specific Plan of Action
continued
Develop smaller steps to achieve
your goal
1.

Smaller steps help you succeed step by step
Recruit others to support you
2.

Only those who will encourage you
Consider rewarding yourself with a
3.

movie or outfit, but no outrageous desserts if
you’re trying to lose weight
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Write Your Specific Plan
Short term:
Long term:
Where:
When:
How Long:
Support:
Reward:
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When you develop specific plans,
you are preparing
to take action.
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Sample Plan
What: Walk for weight loss
Short term: walk 30 mins.—5 days/wk
Long term: walk 60 mins.—6 days/wk
Where: In my neighborhood
When: 7 a.m., 4 p.m., or 9 p.m.
How Long: Start at 30 mins. Add 5 mins./wk
Support: Jane Walkwithme
Reward: ____________________
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3.Get a Commitment

Hear you partner say, “I will ____.”
•

Pay attention to body language to check
sincerity.
Ask “What if” questions to:
•
•
examine and prepare for possible obstacles.
to check commitment.
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Examples
 “What
if ________, will you still do it?”
 “What
would keep you from doing it?”
 “If
something interrupts your plan, how will
you reschedule it?”
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More on commitment . . .



Make a written commitment.
Go public.
Chart your progress  increases
continuation and progress.
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4. Check on your partner’s
progress on a regular basis.


Ask how her plan is progressing.
Help her consider modifications to the
plan as appropriate.
Note  Some plans fail because they are
inappropriate.

Use WHAT questions to encourage
evaluation of plan and progress.
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Examples
 “Is
what you are doing working out?”
 “What
would make your plan work better?”
 “What
times are better for you?”
 What questions also help us rethink.
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5. Help your partner if she doesn’t
follow her plan.
 Always
forgive!
 Don’t ask “Why” she failed.
Asking “WHY” is asking for excuses!
 “Instead
ask what would make your plan
work better?”
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6. Create new and positive self-talk.
a. Become aware of self-talk messages that:
 keep you from achieving your goals. (“I’m too tired.”)
 precede a bad habit. (“One more piece.”)
b. Ask yourself: “What might I tell myself that will
keep me from reaching my goal?”
c. Begin to question negative self-talk and replace it
with positive self-talk that helps you achieve your
goals.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Examples of self-talk replacement
“I don’t have time to walk!”
 NEW: “I’ll find time to walk!”
 OLD:
“I have to have my morning
caffeine!”
 NEW: “After a while I won’t miss my
caffeine!”
 OLD:
“I hate drinking water!”
 NEW: “I am going to learn to love water!”
 OLD:
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More on Self-Talk
 Tell
yourself what your new self will be like.
 Simple
awareness of your self-talk helps
you gain a measure of control.
 When
we mislead ourselves we impede
ourselves.
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7. Don’t give up on your partner
Instead help her



Obtain another commitment to her plan.
Find ways to modify the old plan.
Develop a new plan.
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-Small Group DiscussionThink about it!
To change or
not to change behavior!
How can such a simple concept of
self-talk be so powerful
in directing our actions?
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Be sure to use your goal setting
strategies to achieve both
education and recreation.
Re-create!
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Self-image  It’s Mental
 Inspire
yourself with positive self-talk.
 Recognize your own successes.
 Avoid negative self-talk that stunts your
self-esteem.
 Create clear and positive visions of who
you are and where you want to go.
 Be your own best inspiration!
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Partner Up with a Nearby
Classmate and Discuss
 Many possible ways to create a
successful self-image.
 How can you start to be your own best
inspiration today?
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Inspirational and Supportive
Relationships with Others
1.
Share your college and career goals and aspirations with family,
friends, faculty, and your advisor.

When they know your goals they’ll know more about how to
support and encourage you.
2.
Choose friends that are inspired, encouraging, and self-disciplined.

Friends like this will help you meet your goals and balance
work and play.
3.
Identify a role model—someone who has been successful in
obtaining a career for which you are preparing.
4.
Again—be your own best inspiration!
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On your own . . .
 Create/write a clear and positive
vision of who you are and where you
want to go.
 Share this vision with a neighboring
classmate.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Key Chapter Points
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
You have a variety of tools and resources at your
disposal to keep you motivated to succeed in College.
Visualization is a powerful source of motivation
especially when you put detail into it.
Goal accomplishment comes to those who lay out
specific goals, step-by-step, and modify as
appropriate.
Get balanced—plan time for fun, too.
Create clear and positive visions of who you are and
where you want to go.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Key Chapter Points continued
6. Share your college and career goals and
aspirations with family, friends, faculty, and
your advisor.
7. Yes, having good role models is still helpful.
8. Positively crafted self-talk creates directives for
what you want to do and be.
9. Self-discipline often involves sacrificing the
pleasure and thrill of the moment for what
matters most in life.
10. Be your own best inspiration.
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My College sweatshirt inspires me!
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Got a circle of support friends and family?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.