Learning to Fly: An invitation

Posted on December 17, 2016 by Rebecca Russell

learning-to-fly-hands-butterfly I love learning to fly!

My most recent learning experiences have centered around developing my own skills as a life coach — learning creative and fun ways to inspire my students and clients!

I’ve recently completed my training as a cadet (life coach in training) with the Martha Beck Institute. As part of my certification process, I will be offering coaching sessions starting in February 2017!

If you want to discover how to remove limiting beliefs blocking your path to success, please complete the contact info below:

Student success starts with students!

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Rebecca Russell

One way to evaluate your students’ success is giving them engaging projects along with the equipment and support needed to do their best work.

Here’s a recent student video about the Ventura College Learning Resource Center. The students — actual peer mentors from the tutoring center — scripted, shot, and edited the video in less than two weeks. Their assignment was to provide new students in the First Year Experience with a fun and engaging tour of the services available at the Ventura College Learning Resource Center. I think they did a spectacular job! And, I am certain that they will both be highly successful at anything they do!

Carol Dweck: The Power of YET

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Rebecca Russell

Carol Dweck: The power of believing that you can improve | Talk Video | TED.com.

We often hear people refer to the power of Now, but have you ever heard about the power of YET? In this powerful TedTalk, Dr. Carol Dweck, one of the foremost researchers in educational psychology, discusses how to provide children with the opportunity to succeed through the power and process of YET.

We owe it to all of our children to give them the skills that will empower them to solve problems, any problems. Problem solving skills and perseverence will be the most highly sought after skills in the near distant future when these children inherit a world filled with challenges not of their making.

If you are a parent, teacher, or influencer, I urge you to watch this short clip so you can understand how simple it is to transform learning and students so all of them can succeed!

“Is College Still a Good Investment?” – HigherEdJobs

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Rebecca Russell

“Is College Still a Good Investment?” – HigherEdJobs.

“…when we survey those with and without college degrees, we find significant personal benefits accrue to those who have college degrees. In its Trends in Higher Education Series, Education Pays, The College Board documents the rewards to individuals: higher job satisfaction, less chance of unemployment, potential for higher earnings, greater social mobility, and better health – leading to a higher quality of life in general.”

— Eileen K. O’Leary, Assistant Vice President and Director of Student Financial Assistance, Stonehill College

While the cost of a college education has gone up by over 50% in the past decade, it is still a good investment if you are seeking a career that requires a college degree.

What I particularly like about this editorial from Eileen O’Leary is that she also asks her readers to consider the value-added aspects of having a college degree, discussing how our society as a whole benefits from its citizens being educated:

civic involvement and votes rates are higher among those with college degrees
regional economies are stronger
tax revenues are higher where educational attainment is higher
overall unemployment is lower
retirement plan contributions are higher
poverty rates are lower
health insurance coverage is stronger
public assistance participation rates are lower

One of my mentors said it the best: When the water rises, so do all the boats.

When we focus on helping others to achieve their greatest potential, it helps everyone!

Empowering others through education is still one of the most effective ways we have to inspire positive change on a large scale that is beneficial to all.

How To Create The Ideal LinkedIn Profile – Forbes

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Rebecca Russell

How To Create The Ideal LinkedIn Profile – Forbes.

I have been urging my students to create LinkedIn profiles since 2010.

This feature by Viveka von Rosen, author of LinkedIn Marketing: An Hour a Day and founder of LinkedIntoBusiness.com in the current issue of Forbes magazine is by far one of the most comprehensive and practical articles on how to best use this piece of social media real estate to your advantage.

LinkedIn has added a number of new media features, so even if you have created an account, this may be a good time to re-evaluate your profile. Adding a picture and showcasing some of your work is easy and immediately adds to your marketability.

That added value speaks volumes to recruiters, and could help you get a foot in the door!

Malala Yousafzai wins Nobel – CNN.com

Posted on October 11, 2014 by Rebecca Russell

Malala Yousafzai, Kailash Satyarthi win Nobel – CNN.com.

I am so thrilled by the news that Malala has won the Nobel Prize!

Her speech reveals that she is truly an extraordinary young woman!

I agree with her wholeheartedly that empowering women and girls, and giving them the freedom to reach their full potential through education has the potential to change the world for the better.

I personally believe that education for all is the key to equality for all.

And, in turn, peace and prosperity will follow.

The 4 Habits You Need to Be Successful

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Rebecca Russell

The 4 Habits You Need to Be Successful.

In addition to the four habits that Matt Mayberry mentions in his post, I would also add reading Entrepreneur.com to your list!

FOCUS YOUR ENERGY ON HIGH-VALUE TASKS
PRIORITIZE TASKS RELATED TO YOUR MOST IMPORTANT GOAL
FOLLOW THROUGH UNTIL THE TASK IS DONE
HAVE A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE

This recipe for success can be completed in any order!

Just completing one task per day towards your most important goal will make all the difference!

:o)

TUT : Notes from the Universe

Quote

Posted on August 21, 2014 by Rebecca Russell

TUT :: Link to Notes from the Universe

Mike Dooley is a genius!

He created a fabulous site, Tut’s Notes from the Universe, that sends daily motivational notes that will make you smile! (see below for an example)

The emails are personalized reminders about specific goals you set for yourself. Including details about your goals in your Tut profile makes the process of goal setting way more fun — which is as it should be.

Remember, you are designing a Life! It’s not just about getting a job, having a career, or making money, it’s about enjoying the journey along the way!

Tell me, when you think of taking consistent action in the general direction of your dreams, do you imagine discipline, stamina, work, sacrifice, monotony, courage, and strategies, or are you thinking adventure, discovery, new friends, excitement at the crack of dawn, magic, surprises, fun, laughter, and, on occasion, the Macarena?

Cool! Me too, “HEY!”

The Universe

Your chosen perspective changes everything.

Purpose Learning — Lets Kill the College Major | LinkedIn

Posted on August 6, 2014 by Rebecca Russell

Lets Kill the College Major | LinkedIn.

Is it time to disrupt higher education?

Author Jeff Selingo, a LinkedIn Influencer and author of College (Un)Bound thinks so.

I happen to agree!

According to a group of forward thinking design students at Stanford University, future students will be designing their degree programs around the concept of “purpose learning”. The students developed a manifesto for their mission-based learning concept along with a promotional video for Stanford 2025 that demonstrates how students in 2025 might go about creating their own individualized degree programs as part of a new system of global collaborative centers, including one in space.

The necessity for students to “declare a major” was built around modern organizational principles. In today’s postmodern digital societies, when institutional structures are no longer serving the needs of its primary customers, those organizing principles will be redefined. For example, during the last two decades, we witnessed the transformation of traditional news media from print and analog products into digitial and social multimedia experiences.

While the Ivory Towers of higher education have been notoriously resistant to change, we are beginning to see cracks forming in their foundations. Students should be able to personalize their educations focused around their own personal mission statement.

Imagine redesigning our education system around the concept of people fulfilling their life purpose instead of hoping to get a job…. that is the mindset these students are attempting to shift.

Challenging students to develop innovative solutions to critical real world issues effecting their future is a fabulous way to inspire purposeful learning!

Resume Makeovers | The Muse

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Rebecca Russell

3 Ultimate Resume Makeovers and What You Can Learn From Them | The Muse.

When was the last time you updated your resume?

In today’s market, it’s important to keep in mind that ALL jobs are temporary. Even if you are feeling like you are at the top rung on your career ladder, circumstances can change in a flash. Keeping your resume current, and staying in contact and nurturing your relationships with your most valued references via social media is ESSENTIAL.

COMPARE your resume to the three sample resumes in this article from The Muse.

Ask yourself:

Am I using the top half of my resume to show off my most valuable skills?
Am I using action words to summarize my experiences in the most effective way possible?
What do I need to add (or cut) to demonstrate I am the best candidate for the job I am applying to?

For that last point, keep in mind, you may need to revise your resume for each position!

From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Strategies for successfully transforming your life

Category Archives: Communicate