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Epoch Times
14-05-2025
- General
- Epoch Times
Middletown High School Holds Annual ‘Experience Our Programs' Event
ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y.–Middletown High School hosted its annual 'Experience Our Programs' event on May 9, in which all the Middletown School District public schools presented what their classes and programs had created. Hundreds of students from public schools all over Middletown milled around presentation tables and exhibits, and 1,300 parents, friends, and visitors jostled through the school. Artwork from the district's 7,500 students filled halls and classrooms. Some students donated their art to be auctioned, hoping to fund a student's art degree. A sixth-grade social studies class hosted a game show in the library. The district Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps showed its students' drone flying abilities. Students in the biomedical program taught visitors simple medical procedures. Kinsley told The Epoch Times about her third-grade class's book that she helped write. Her class has made a book every year for the past three years. The class recorded their voices reading the book and made QR codes to let people listen to them. This year's book is called 'A Spooky Story,' and the goal was to help the students learn about the writing process, including prewriting, drafting, and editing. The teachers also helped with grammar, spelling, and overall understandability of the story. Related Stories 3/19/2025 3/5/2025 Kinsley described the process of making the story: 'It was hard and kind of easy. And it was really easy to figure out what I wanted to write about.' The Middletown school district has joined a global movement teaching the 'Leader in Me' program in schools. Middletown is in its first year of the program, so currently, the teachers are receiving training on how to apply the curriculum in their classes. The Leader in Me program aims to inspire leadership in students, using principles from the books 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' and 'The 4 Disciplines of Execution.' The curriculum will be included in classes starting next school year, Christine Dumais told The Epoch Times. Dumais is the cultural co-lead, one of the two people in charge of running the Leader in Me program in Middletown. Dumais described the reason why the school decided to start implementing the Leader in Me curriculum. 'We want our students to be more independent and to take more ownership over their work,' she said. 'Leader in Me' Middletown School District organizer Christine Dumais holds "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," the book the Leader in Me program is based on, during the "Experience Our Programs" event at Middletown High School on May 9, 2025. Oliver Mantyk/The Epoch Times Middletown High School student Jadiella spoke about the biomedical section of 'Project Lead The Way.' Project Lead The Way is a program that helps students make advances in STEM fields such as medicine, engineering, and computer science. Students in the first year of the program learn about crime scenes and cause of death analysis. The second year goes into human body systems. In the third year, students learn about medical intervention, teaching them what to do in medical emergencies. Students learn more advanced medical and surgical techniques in the fourth year. Students who complete the program receive a Certificate in Medicine, which in some cases leads to job opportunities in the medical field. 'It's really fun. It's very interactive, which I was very happy with. There's lots of dissecting and hands-on, which is great,' Jediella told The Epoch Times. ' It's not so boring, just learning and absorbing, because it's a lot of hard information. Some definitely want to be hands-on.' Middletown High School and "Project Lead The Way" student Jadiella during the "Experience Our Programs" event on May 9, 2025. Oliver Mantyk/The Epoch Times Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano has three grandkids in the school district and is himself a graduate of Middletown High School. He visits the event every year. 'When we bring business leaders and community leaders into the school district, into these schools and they see what's being provided here, they're just so impressed. And I think it's a big plus for industry and economic development and the community,' DeStefano told The Epoch Times.
Forbes
15-04-2025
- General
- Forbes
Mastering Your Responsivity: The 4-Step Path From Stimulus To Response
Naira Velumyan, Ph.D., Communication/Relationship Coach, Etiquette Expert, Founder of the Academy of Social Competency. Our actions are triggered by various internal and external signals (stimuli). These signals may occur from verbal or physical interactions, ongoing or scheduled tasks, urgent requests, reminders, deadlines, etc., and it is important to master a timely and professional response to each of them for the best outcome. How fast and properly we respond to these stimuli is a matter of skills, time and consideration, depending on specifics. 'Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space, we all have the freedom to choose our response.' This powerful idea, originally expressed by renowned Austrian neurologist, psychologist and philosopher Viktor Frankl, gained widespread recognition through the works of prominent American educator, author and businessman Stephen Covey. His book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, with over 41 million copies sold in 40 languages, introduced the importance of pauses to manage our impulsivity and build thoughtful responses. Every day, we encounter various stimuli—people, events, conversations and challenges that prompt our reactions, initiating a so-called reactive behavior. This occurs when a response is automatic, subconscious and often emotionally driven. In this type of behavior, we, instead of thinking through a situation, react on impulse, which may often result in unintended consequences and even regrets. Reactive behavior can be triggered by both external and internal stimuli. The most common external triggers that I observe are: Life Dynamics: In today's society, quick reactions are just a way of being in tune with our rush-rush lifestyle. Since we are often expected to have and are rewarded for quick reactions, pauses may be misinterpreted as hesitation or weakness. Filling The Emptiness: Our fast-paced, full-of-stimuli life has made us used to constant 'noise,' associating silence or stillness with discomfort. To cope with this discomfort, we most often react on impulse before processing the situation. Manipulation Fostering Our Responses: Marketing and sales strategies are often aimed at eliciting immediate reactions. They reduce our ability to pause and process information rationally, pushing us to make impulsive decisions. Some of the most common internal triggers are: Emotional Tension: When emotions reach a peak, we need to release the pressure. By reacting to emotional tension, we get a temporary relief from this burden, even if eventually it leads to poor outcomes. Fear Of Losing Control: Tolerating uncertainty is hard, as the longer we wait, the more we get overwhelmed with doubts. This state is hard to cope with, urging us to react quicker, even if waiting or reflecting would be the better choice. Perception Of Threat: In situations of aggression, whether real or imaginary, a natural response is to fight back. While this is kind of a form of self-protection or protecting others, responding with another aggression before considering alternatives may result in unexpected consequences. The opposite of reactive is proactive behavior, which is based on an ability to reflect, predict, pause and make conscious choices based on our values and needs rather than immediate impulses, dictated by factors such as the life dynamics, feelings of emptiness, being subjected to manipulation, emotional tension and fear of threat. Research has identified cognitive control as a key factor in managing personal impulsivity. It refers to our ability to regulate our thoughts, behaviors and actions, aligning them with our personal goals rather than acting impulsively. Cognitive control plays a crucial role in restraining impulsive responses, ensuring that our decisions are thoughtful and context-appropriate rather than automatic and reckless. Cognitive control is based on a combination of different mechanisms, including attention, inhibition of immediate response, internally represented goals and response selection. These components, detailed below, can be beneficial if worked dynamically and in harmony rather than randomly. To embrace a combination of these mechanisms while ensuring they work harmoniously, consider the following four practical steps: 1. Attention: Pausing is not just a habit; it is brain training. Sharon Begley, co-author with Richard Davidson of The Emotional Life of Your Brain, has noted that 'attention is almost magical in its ability to physically alter the brain and enlarge functional circuits.' The more we take control of our attention, the easier it will be to embrace rationality over impulsivity. By deliberately pausing before reacting, we enhance self-control and emotional balance. 2. Inhibition Of Immediate Response: While pausing is often beneficial, Dutch psychologist Namkje Koudenburg found that it can trigger feelings of rejection and distress, pushing people toward impulsivity. Her research suggests that a four-second pause in conversations appears to be optimal—long enough to generate controlled responses but short enough to maintain conversational flow naturally and not feel or look rejected and stressed. 3. Internally Represented Goals: According to Marilee Adams, author of Change Your Questions, Change Your Life, adopting a conscious questioning mindset empowers us by shaping our behaviors and outcomes. Questioning helps us understand the world around us and why we do what we do. Therefore, when pausing for four seconds, ask yourself: What for? This question shifts focus toward purpose, fostering cognitive control and intentional decision-making. It directs attention to the future, ensuring that your next step aligns with your values and needs. 4. Response Selection: Finally, once the space between stimulus and response is firmly established, you can consciously shape your reaction, transforming you from a marionette of impulses into the architect of your life. As Viktor Frankl profoundly stated, 'The last of the human freedoms [is] to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.' Ultimately, this freedom of choice shapes our character, strengthens our resilience, saves valuable relationships and fuels our personal growth. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
Forbes
06-04-2025
- Health
- Forbes
How To Develop An Abundance Mindset That Fuels Career Growth
An abundance mindset fuels career growth. When you face a career setback, your initial reaction reveals a great deal about your mindset. Do you fall into a scarcity mentality, believing opportunities are limited and success is meant for others? Or do you embrace an abundance mindset, seeing the experience as a stepping stone instead of a roadblock? The difference between a scarcity mindset and an abundance mindset can mean the difference between unlocking new career paths or staying stuck in frustration and self-doubt. By cultivating an abundance mindset, you open the door to countless opportunities for career growth. Let's explore what defines an abundance mindset and ways to develop it that guarantee long-term professional success and fulfillment. An abundance mindset revolves around the belief that ample resources, opportunities, and success are available for everyone. Rather than viewing the professional world as a zero-sum game where one person's advancement means another's loss, those with an abundance mindset recognize endless possibilities for career growth and achievement. This concept gained prominence through Stephen Covey's influential book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, where he described an abundance mindset as a profound inner sense of personal worth and security, enabling people to genuinely celebrate others' successes without feeling threatened. On the other hand, a scarcity mindset is centered on limitations and lack. When operating from a scarcity perspective, you might: While a scarcity mindset confines you, an abundance mindset empowers and opens doors to new possibilities. Adopting an abundance mindset delivers multiple career upsides: When you believe resources and opportunities are plentiful, you're more willing to take calculated risks and explore unconventional solutions. Cultivating an abundance mindset can also foster creative outcomes and enhance empathy. An abundance mindset encourages collaboration instead of competition. It makes you more willing to share knowledge, credit, and opportunities, gradually building a reputation as someone who uplifts others. According to research by Princeton University, scarcity mindsets can actually impair cognitive function. Participants in the study experienced a 13-point drop in IQ when they were preoccupied with scarcity concerns. This decline in cognitive ability makes it more challenging to plan, solve problems, and make sound decisions—skills essential for resilience and career growth. Perhaps most importantly, an abundance mindset correlates with career success and job satisfaction. For example, a study by Dr. Martin Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania found that optimistic sales professionals outsell their pessimistic counterparts by 56%. In another survey, optimists were 40% more likely to get promoted over the next year, six times more likely to be highly engaged at work and five times less likely to burn out than pessimists. Here are evidence-based strategies to cultivate an abundance mindset that fuels career growth: Begin each workday by identifying three things you appreciate about your current role, team, or organization. This simple practice rewires your brain to notice opportunities rather than limitations. Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that participants who engaged in weekly gratitude journaling for ten weeks reported higher optimism and life satisfaction levels than those who focused on irritations or neutral events. Try this: Keep a dedicated "career gratitude" journal where you document professional wins, helpful co-workers, and valuable learning experiences. Review it when facing challenges to maintain perspective. Identify and challenge scarcity-based thoughts when they arise. When you catch yourself thinking, "There aren't enough opportunities in my field" or "I'll never get promoted," pause and ask yourself, "Is this objectively true? What evidence contradicts this belief?" Try this: Create alternative, abundance-based interpretations of challenging situations. Instead of "I failed at this project," try thinking "I've discovered an approach that doesn't work, bringing me one step closer to finding what does." The people around you profoundly influence your mindset. Studies consistently show that mindsets are "contagious"—you naturally adopt the thought patterns of those you spend the most time with. Try this: Identify colleagues with abundant thinking and schedule regular coffee chats or lunch meetings. Join professional groups where members actively support each other's growth rather than competing. One of the best ways to develop an abundance mindset is to share your knowledge, time, and connections freely with friends and co-workers. Adam Grant's research at Wharton shows that "givers" who share without expectation of immediate return ultimately achieve greater success than "takers" who hoard resources and opportunities. Try this: Dedicate 30 minutes each week to helping someone at work without expecting anything in return. Offer to review their presentation, make an introduction, or share relevant resources. Scarcity thinking often stems from narrowly defining success (e.g., "I must get this specific promotion by this specific date"). Broadening your view of what constitutes professional achievement creates more pathways to fulfillment. Try this: Create a "success spectrum" by listing 10 different ways you could consider yourself successful in your career beyond the obvious metrics of title and salary. Include impact metrics, learning goals, relationship quality, and work-life integration. When a co-worker receives recognition or achieves something noteworthy, make a conscious effort to feel genuine happiness for them. This practice, known as "sympathetic joy" in positive psychology, strengthens your abundance mindset by reinforcing that success is not limited. Try this: Send a congratulatory message to a colleague who recently achieved something significant. Ask them about their journey and what they learned along the way. Every time you choose collaboration over competition, you reinforce the neural pathways linked to an abundance mindset. Over time, this way of thinking becomes your go-to approach for handling professional challenges and opportunities. You're not just altering your thought process by nurturing an abundance mentality. You're reshaping your career path toward greater possibilities and long-term fulfillment.
