Welcome to my first PGP post! PGP is a PLP grade 10 class, similar to careers. In this project we worked on setting learning intentions and read the book Atomic Habits to find out more techniques for effective goal setting. Our driving question for this project is How can small changes in my habits shape my success this year, and beyond?
Like I mentioned, during this project we read the book Atomic Habits by James Clear.
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear explores the power of small changes in behavior and how they can lead to significant improvements over time. He also emphasizes focusing on your systems rather than your goals. For example, the difference between two athletes that both have the goal of winning, is that the winner has good systems to get them to their goal and the loser does not. As well, he shares the 4 key steps that outline how to make a new goal.
1. Cue: Make it obvious
2. Craving: Make it attractive
3. Response: Make it easy
4. Reward: Make it satisfying
Overall, I didn’t find this book interesting to read, but it is definitely a very helpful resource for successful goal setting.
To form our learning intentions for the year we did a pop art activity. First, we took a photo of ourselves and marked it up on the photos app to add the pop art style. Then, we added at least 3 symbols in the background to relate to our learning intentions for the year. Then we wrote a short paragraph to explain our learning intentions. I think that this was a fun way to start thinking about our goals for the year.
This is my pop art and intention:
My learning intention for the year is to be an efficient learner who focuses on progress over perfection while still achieving my high standards. In the past I have struggled getting my work done because I’m too worried about making sure it’s perfect. Instead of procrastinating because I can’t think of the perfect idea I can just try something and revise it after instead of having nothing because it doesn’t seem good enough. As well, I can use systems like setting timers and scheduling when I’ll work on an assignment so I can manage my time better. These systems and goals will help me work on becoming less of a perfectionist, without having to compromise my high work standards.
This connects to the competency, Performance Mindset – I grow in my learning with purpose and passion, while giving respect and compassion. This activity helped me grow with purpose by reflecting on what I want to achieve this year. The symbols I chose represent what drives me and inspire me to stay passionate about my goals. By creating something personal and meaningful, I feel more connected to my learning intentions. It also helped me show respect and compassion for my own journey, as well as for others. The process encouraged me to think about how my goals align with the team and how I can contribute to a supportive learning environment by looking at other people’s pop art.
To prepare for our prepols, we also created a vision mission and values document. First, we described the student we want to be on the day we graduate. Next we wrote about our goals and systems for this year. Finally, we planned out competencies that will help us attain those goals. This is my document:
This relates to the big idea – Career and life decisions reflect choices based on exploring, planning, reflecting, adapting, and deciding to find purpose and balance.
By visualizing the student I want to be upon graduation, setting clear goals for this year, and identifying the competencies needed to achieve those goals, I am engaging in each stage of this process. Through exploration, I clarify my strengths, values, and interests and planing transforms these insights into specific, actionable objectives. During my mPol and Tpol, I will use reflection to assess my progress and make adjustments when necessary to be adaptable and flexible and open to new opportunities as we encounter challenges. Overall, this project prompted me to make intentional, purposeful goals that reflect my vision for the future and help me create a balanced school year.
The final part of this project was to create an artifact that connects and shares your knowledge from the book, as well as helps you with your goals. I decided to make a day in the life video, visualizing how I want to structure my school days to have more time to implement my systems. First, I wrote out a schedule of how I want to reorganize my day. Next I wrote out the angle and description of the shot to show each step of my day. Then I wrote a voiceover script to go with my video. With the help of my mom, my brother, my friend Alva and a tripod I filmed all the videos and edited it together with capcut and added text with the time of each thing I do.
In this assignment I demonstrated Performance Functioning – I have developed and consistently use a system for effective management of my workflow for learning. After making the video, I also made a todo style list of everything I put in my video so I can easily see what time to do everything. So far aside from a few alterations, I have been able to follow my schedule and have more time to implement my systems and goals. After school I don’t always go running, sometimes I hang out with my friends instead but I make sure to do some other exercise as well.
The insights and strategies I’ve gained from this project will continue to guide me throughout the year. I’ve learned that small, consistent actions and systems are the key to success, and I can apply this mindset to other areas of my life—whether it’s setting academic or persona; goals, or even preparing for future career choices. The process of developing better systems has already had a positive impact on my routine, I now have a better system for managing my workflow, and I feel more confident in my ability to balance my academic, personal, and social responsibilities. Moving forward, I will keep refining my habits and focusing on long-term progress rather than quick fixes.
That’s all, thanks for reading!