1.Life Skills CourseBased on the book, Living for Game Day,by Philip M. Bracco

2. Module 1 Strengthening Your CoreAt the core of every human being is a set of skills that must bedeveloped and inspired for growth to be possible. It begins withpreparing to learn and is followed by complementary lesson plans. Lesson Plans1. Preparing to Learn2. Setting and Achieving Goals.3. Learning the Happiness Habit4. Overcoming Fear5. The Power of Purpose6. We Become What We Think 3. Lesson Plan 1 Preparing to Learn 4. OverviewThere is an old Zen proverb that clearly identifies theimportance of being an active listener and truly dedicatingoneself to learning.When the student is ready, the teachers will appear. 5. The key words are: When Ready Teachers Appear 6. OverviewOften in our younger years, parents, teachers, coaches,and spiritual leaders share words of wisdom with us thatseem to go in one ear and pick up speed going out theother.Why? -----> The student was not ready! 7. Overview continuedAs we mature and our life is challenged with unplannedevents, these seemingly pointless, hollow words ofwisdom take on new meaning.It is at that point that the student is ready and the teachersbegin to appear. Learning takes place and progress ismade. 8. Cont.This lesson is intended to help you to recognize theabundance of teachers who are ready to share valuablelessons each day, and show you how to commit theirlessons and wisdom to learned behaviors. 9. ObjectivesI.Understanding that listening precedes talking when we arepreparing ourselves to learn.II. Truly believing that wisdom is not limited to those with highereducation degrees, or those born with great intelligence. It canbecome part of anyones character, if they are willing to learn. 10. ObjectivesIII. Learning to document the lessons you learn in a Life Skills journal that will serve as a daily reference until it becomes a regular behavior in your life.IV.Recognizing and understanding the importance of repetition to create perfect timing when instinctively recalling appropriate lessons as they are needed. 11. ObjectivesV. Identifying key teachers in your past and present. Give thought to those teachers that have not yet appeared who can be instrumental to your growth 12. Action Steps I. Team 7 Discussion (Timeallotted 30 minutes) In two pages or less, explain why listening at the start of any conversation is more important than talking. -- Group note taker and designated presenter will share comments for your virtual journal with the team and forward them via email. The note taking position will rotate each day. 13. Action StepsII. Individual session (Time allotted 30 minutes)In your Life Skills journal, identify 10 teachers who weresignificant in your life and shared wisdom that yourecognized and understood at the time, or at some later datewhen one of lifes unexpected challenges appeared.the next slide table into your virtual journal, recording yourthoughts for future reference. 14. Journal entry - Assignment Format Teacher Lesson Taught Recognized When?12345678910 15. Action StepsIII. Team 7 Discussion (Time allotted 30 minutes)List ten key factors that preventus from learning.Insert the next slide table intoyour virtual journal, recordingyour thoughts for future reference. 16. Team 7 Discussion Learning Inhibitors Key Factors that Prevent Us from Learning12345678910 17. Action StepsIV. Team 7 Discussion (Time allotted 30 minutes)Compile a list of unlikely sources of wisdom that haveimpacted your life in a positive way.Record thoughts in your virtual journal and be prepared toshare with the class if called on. 18. Team 7 Discussion UnlikelySources of Wisdom Unlikely Sources of Wisdom Impact on Your Life12345678910 19. Action StepsV. Individual Notes (Time allotted 20 minutes, one page) -- Insert in journal Consider strategy for using what you consider to be new and old words of wisdom that will impact your life. In your own words, summarize ways you intend to activate these teachings in your life, and begin them to memory for future use. 20. Action StepsVI. Team 7 Discussion (Time allotted 20 minutes)When speaking with someone you recognize as one of yourlife teachers, it is important to understand the differencebetween asking open- or closed- ended questions.What is your understanding of the difference between the twotypes of questions? 21. Open- and Closed-Probe QuestionsOpen-Probe QuestionsClosed-Probe QuestionsQuestion allows for dialogue. Question that requires only a YES orNO response.Example: What did you think about Example: Did you like last yearslast years Commencement speech?Commencement speech?Example: How do you feel aboutExample: Do you like todays class?todays class?REMEMBER: If you want to learn, ask questions that foster dialogue and avoidclosed probes that can end at a hard stop. 22. Action StepsVII. Team 7 Discussion Reinforcement (Time allotted 20 minutes) Insert into your virtual journal 10 questions in both an open- and closed probe format. 23. Team 7 Discussion Reinforcement Open-Probe Questions Closed-Probe Questions12345678910 24. SummaryTOOLS / TIME / ASSIGNMENTS InstrumentTime Allotted Grade Impact % Team 7 Discussions 130 minutes total Individual Presentations50 minutes total Class Readings andMay vary discussions Homework: Read the first 75 pages of the 2 books listed as Required Reading: 1. Living for Game Day 2. Mans Search for Meaning 25. Lesson Plan 2Setting and Achieving Goals 26. OverviewIf the truth is known, most individuals live their liveswithout plans to achieve objectives in the six key areas:spiritual, mental, emotional, personal, physical, andprofessional.In most cases, the cause is not lack of interest or belief inthe need, surprisingly, the process has not been taught asa necessary life skill. 27. Overview continuedThe corporate name for the company providing thiscurriculum is Team 326. The name includes the number ofgoals/reasons that motivated the author Phil Bracco tosurvive three battles with cancer, two required bone-marrow transplants.This mission was highly influenced by Victor Franklsbook, Mans Search for Meaning, and later reinforced by anumber of positive thinkers who helped bring form to theprocess. 28. Cont.Successful individuals follow specific steps to establish andorganize goals. A set of rules guide the process and improveeffectiveness. 29. Key Rules: The difference between a successful goal setter and someone simply drifting through life.I. The goal must be yours.II.The goal must be specific. Your mind cannotperform to generalities.III.All steps in the process must be taken.IV. Metrics to measure performance and progress arenecessary.V.A target completion date is a must. 30. Planning Steps Six steps must be documented and reviewed regularly to ensure that you note possible changes.I.Establish a specific, measurable goal.II. List all the reasons this goal is important to you and those you care about.III.List all obstacles that stand in your way.IV. Identify resources available to you to assist in the process of achieving the goal.V.Develop a specific Action Plan to achieve the goal.VI. Set performance metrics along the way. 31. ObjectivesI. Commit the 6 key steps to every goal.II.Understand the subtleties that separate a productive goal-setter from someone who is simply going through the exercise.III. Know when, and if, to amend your goal.IV.Understand the importance of being specific in the process.V. Create a connection between goals and the 6 key arenas of your life. 32. Action StepsI. Individual session -Putting Plans into Action (Time allotted 30 minutes) Using the six key steps, outline your goal plan for this course. Before moving forward, lets review the fundamentals of goal setting. 33. FundamentalsThe Goal Must: The Goal Must:The Goal Must:The Goal Must:be Yours be Specific Address all be Attainable aspects of the Action PlanCannot be someoneThe mind can only An incomplete PlanSetting the bar too highelses goal for you. respond to specifics; results in mediocre results inInterest wanes generalities causeresults.disappointmentquickly. confusion and takeand delusion. us off course. 34. Key Point: Share your Go up goals only withthose that can help you get there. Why? If someone doesnt understand your objectivethey cant help you get there, and furthermore might undermine your initiative. Key Point: Share your give up goals with everyone.Friends will nudge you when you need reminders.(Example: Give up smoking.) 35. Action StepsII. Team 7 Discussion (Time allotted 30 minutes)Digest the previous pages and lecture and list the mostcommon errors people make when setting goals.The note taker will email your list for your virtual life skillsjournal 36. Most common errors made whensetting goals1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12. 37. Action StepsIII.Individual Journal Entry (Time allotted 20 minutes) List at least 5 Go Up and 5 Give-up goals for your life. 38. Journal entry - Assignment FormatGo-Up GoalGive-up Goals12345 39. Action StepsIV. Individual Session (Time allotted 30 minutes)In 2 pages or less, describe why Victor Frankl considerssetting goals key for those awaiting liberation in theNazi death camps. 40. Action StepsV. Individual Session (Time allotted 30 minutes) Team 326 is the corporate name of the company that published, Living for Game Day. Please explain how the name came into being, and your thoughts as to how it impacts this process for you. 41. Action StepsVI. Individual Journal Entry (Time allotted 40 minutes)Identify 1 of your current goals and organize it in the six stepprocess outlined in the goal format established earlier. 42. SummaryTOOLS / TIME / ASSIGNMENTSInstrument Time Allotted Grade Impact %Team 7 Discussions30 minutes totalIndividual Sessions150 minutes total 43. Lesson Plan 3Learning the Happiness Habit Your Choicehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hh-EgTOxZM 44. OverviewOften Mr. Bracco is asked to speak to large audiences orrescue cancer patients who are suffering from fear,anxiety, and overall unhappiness. Although fear andanxiety are addressed in life skills they typically areconnected with unhappiness. 45. Overview continuedOn many occasions, Phil refers to unhappiness as a habit.When he does people often respond by saying happiness isnot a habit, it is something that you inherit as a child. Althoughmany people grow up in situations that are difficult, there isplenty of opportunity to create happiness in their lives by firstunderstanding the happiness habit. 46. Cont.Happiness and unhappiness are reflections of those thoughtsthat are dominating your mind. As for your mind, the moment athought crosses its boundaries, it is capable of injecting intothe body chemicals that change the way you feel.For example, if you were greeted in a walk through the woodsby a 500 pound brown bear, your mind would instantly becrowded with thoughts of fear that trigger the release ofadrenalin into your entire body as you begin to slow down allunnecessary body functions as adrenalin is directed to thelargest muscles that control the speed at which you run. 47. Cont.When working with cancer patients, the first thing they tellPhil after being introduced is, I am so unhappy anddepressed and will never be happy again. At that point heengages in a quick exercise that requires them to list theirthoughts for the prior three minutes and notice therelationship between their thoughts and their feelings.When he calls them back within 72 hours, one of the firstremarks they make is, I now know what your mean by therelationship between thoughts and feelings. 48. ObjectivesI.Ensure that the students understand this concept, for it iscapable of creating a change in their life very quickly.II. Those who are happy tend to be much more productivebecause their mind is focused on the moment; those who areunhappy are often looking into space and consumed withthoughts about something that happened or something thatmight happen. 49. Objectives continuedIII. Students must understand that happiness is a habit and not a behavior that is inherited by a chosen few.IV.Once they learn the happiness habit they can place themselves in any environment and become productive while they enjoy themselves.V. The beauty of the happiness habit is that once you develop and believe in the power of the skill, no one can ever take it from you. 50. Action StepsI. Individual session (Time allotted 30 minutes) For the next five minutes sit in your seat, relax and let your mind flow. When five minutes expires go to the next slide and identify the emotions you felt and the thoughts that triggered them, we will classify them as happy or unhappy. (see attached chart) 51. Happiness (trigger thoughts)Unhappiness (trigger thoughts)Enter responses in your Virtual Life Skills Journal 52. Action StepsII. Individual session (Time allotted 20 minutes)--less than a pageDescribe an individual that you would consider as happy. Howdo they speak, are they generally looking up or down, how dothey greet you, what is their outlook for those things they areattempting to get done in the near future. 53. Action StepsIII. Individual session (Time allotted 20 minutes) Make a list of the people and things that create happiness or unhappiness in your life. (see attached chart) 54. Things That Create HappinessThings That Create Unhappiness 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.Enter responses in you Virtual Life Skills Journal 55. Action StepsIV.Team 7 discussion (Time allotted 60 minutes)Earlier we created a six step outline for developing goals foryour life, on the slide that follows, develop a comprehensivegoal plan for developing happiness in your life.--Insert into your life skills journal 56. Setting the happiness goalI.Establish a specific, measurable goal.II. List all the reasons this goal is important to you and those youcare about. 57. III. List all obstacles that stand in your way.IV. Identify resources available to you to assist in the process of achieving the goal. 58. III. Develop a specific Action Plan to achieve the goal.IV. Set a completion date. Set performance metrics along the way.V. The note taker will send the final document to each team member, in order to insert it into their virtual life skills journal 59. Action StepsIV. Individual session (Time allotted 20 minutes)What is your happiness objective for the rest of this course? 60. SummaryInstrument Time AllottedGrade Impact %Team 7 Discussions60 minutes totalIndividual Sessions90 minutes totalHomework: Read the next 25 pages of the 2 books listed as RequiredReading:1. Living for Game Day2. Mans Search for Meaning 61. Lesson Plan 4Overcoming Fearhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb2YOg_dkQM &feature=bf_prev&list=PL568675AF3494E5FD 62. OVERVIEWDuring childhood, Phil family did anextraordinary job teaching the children theimportance of overcoming fear.Phil once heard at a High School reunionthat fear is an acronym for False-Evidence-Appearing-Real.This small piece of wisdom impacted the wayhe made decisions in the future. 63. Overview continuedPrior to that time, fear interrupted hiswillingness to proceed with a plan that gavehim a visual view of a tumor he sodesperately wanted to see so he could workon another life skill called visualization.As his surgery drew closer he focused on theacronym F-E-A-R and convinced himself thathe had the courage to withstand theprocedure, while awake. 64. Cont.Focusing on false evidence appearing real, Philconvinced himself that the doctors would not allowhim to feel extraordinary pain and they would dotheir very best to mitigate his discomfort. Soon, herealized that the pain he imagined was created in hismind. He began monitoring thoughts andconcentrating on a simple strategy to endure thesurgery. The closer he came to the scheduled date,the more he realized that his imagined pain farexceeded the actual pain. 65. Cont.When Phil arrived at the hospital for surgerycarrying a 24oz water bottle, he had violatedthe 12-hour fast and was left with the optionhe wanted.Mr. Bracco, you can go home and re-schedule when you learn how to read, or wecan do the surgery now. You will have to bewide awake and have the equivalent ofNovocain to dull the pain. 66. Cont.Little did the students observing theprocedure realize what they were about towitness. The fear Mr. Bracco had beenfeeling in the weeks before the surgery hadbegun to diminish over time. 67. Cont.Experts will tell you that fear is our greatestinhibitor, a concern that the failure willembarrass and emotionally scar us forever.Fear is the big roadblock; sometimes theequivalent of a massive mountain that standsbetween you and where you want to be.Step back for a moment and yourperspective will change, and what seemedinsurmountable is impossible no longer. 68. OBJECTIVESI.Understand that you can desensitize yourself from fearover time. For example, the fear of speaking to groups orindividuals, or even the opposite sex about a date, can bemanaged. The key is to start out taking smaller steps.II. Get moving. The fastest way to replace negative thoughtsholding you back, is with positive thoughts that push youforward. These must be much like Mr. Braccos positivethoughts for having awake surgery so he could visualizethe attack of his T-cells on the cancer cells. 69. Objectives continuedIII. Understand the close connection between motivation and fear. If you motivate yourself to take action you will kill the fear that stood in your way and it will soon disappear. 70. Cont.IV. In the past we viewed rejection in a negative lightbecause we were fearful of being publiclyrenounced and having the stigma over our head.V. Choose to view failure and rejection asopportunities to learn. Write down the things inyour life that you considered fears that you haveovercome, and identify how thoseopportunities changed your life. 71. Action StepsI. Individual Session (Time allotted 1 hour.) In three pages or less, list some common fears that you have faced and the steps required to manage their impact on you. 72. Action StepsII. Individual Session (Time allotted 20 minutes)In 3 pages or less describe the relationship betweenvisualizing the outcome you wanted and its ultimateimpact on simple body functions. 73. Action StepsIII. Individual Session (Time allotted 50 minutes) Mr. Bracco made the decision to have surgury while awake to obtain an up close and personal look at the enemy. He played this visual over and over in his mind. In three pages or less describe the relationship between visualizing the outcome he wanted and the fear he anticipated, and describe how past experience expected greater adversity than actual outcome. 74. Action StepsIV. Individual Session (Time allotted 30 minutes)The simple incorporation of visualizing to reduce fearcan have a dramatic impact on reducing the amount ofstress that your heart will experience during thisprocess. The chart on the next slide requires simplemath calculations to amplify the point. 75. Action StepsReductions of BeatsTime: Short TermTime: Long TermPer Minute2 Beats1 Hour:6 Months:How many beats2 x 60 x 24 x 30 x 6 = saved?2 x 60 = __________ ________________5 Beats8 Hours:12 Months: 5 x 60 x 8 = 5 x 60 x 24 x 30 x 12=________________ _______________ 76. Action StepsV. Team 7 Discussion (Time allotted 30 Minutes) How does the brain process the types of thoughts that we allow to cross our mind? In 2 pages or less describe how the body responds differently to fear based on the type of thinking taking place. (direct, indirect, or additive/compulsive thinking) 77. Action StepsVI. Individual Session (Time allotted, 20 minutes)If you met a child who was fearful about interactingwith other children in games and sports whatwould your recommendation be for overcomingunnecessary fear and anxiety? 78. SummaryTOOLS / TIME / ASSIGNMENTSInstrumentTime Allotted Grade Impact %Individual Session1 hourIndividual Session20 minutesIndividual Session50 minutesIndividual Session30 minutesTeam 7 Discussion 30 minutesIndividual Session20 minutes 79. Lesson Plan 5The Power of Purpose Click for Video 80. OVERVIEWPeople often confuse religion with spirituality.Those we refer to as spiritual people have adeep connection with other people, theuniverse, and its wonder and the meaning ofpurpose in ones life. 81. Overview continuedWhen Mr. Bracco entered transplant for thesecond time he was well aware of the need tobe spiritually connected to all that life offeredand felt deeply responsible for the unfinishedwork that life expected of him. During a 184-dayhospitalization in a 10x10 ft room, Mr. Braccoknew that life was not only expecting that hewrite a book to benefit others, but demandedthat he get it done.As Dr. Frankl often said, He who has a why tolive can bear with any hour. 82. Cont.Each day that Mr. Braccos brothers stemcells were feeding his body, he foughtthrough the pain, desperation, and lonelinessto answer lifes request of him. When areyou planning to write the book? Each day inthat room, he dressed himself for work anddiligently wrote the book. As time passed,Frankls point about the power of purposeexpanded its important through all key areasof his life: spiritual, physical, emotional,mental, and professional. 83. Cont.A footprint for the future was also in place. Hissurvival and ? With the passage of each day, lifebecame more exciting as so many people committedto Mr. Bracco and he in turn, clearly understood hisspiritual purpose. Mr. Braccos tenacity to succeedoften caused conflict with hospital staff as they couldnot comprehend the purpose behind his behavior. 84. OBJECTIVESI.Clearly distinguish between a spiritual personand a religious person.II. What did the power of purpose enable Mr.Bracco to do? What role did it play in the lifeof prisoners in Nazi concentration camps? 85. Objectives continuedIII. In Dr. Frankls book, he discusses how people of similar age and stature had completely different outcomes in extreme circumstances. What explanation does he give for the differing outcomes?IV.Humor played a key role in survival. Understand why seeing things in a humorous light positively impacts outcomes in difficult situations. 86. Cont.V. Frankl stated that in the most troubled circumstances anything you have experienced in life cannot be taken no power on earth can take them from you. 87. ACTION STEPSI. Team 7 discussion (Time Allotted 20 minutes) What does Dr. Frankl mean by the power of purpose? How does purpose distinguish between those who live, and those who die? 88. Action StepsII. Team 7 discussion (Time allotted 20minutes)During his second transplant and recoveryperiod, Mr. Bracco discovered his purpose.What was it? How did it influence hiswillingness to bear the pain and drudgery of184 days in isolation? 89. ACTION STEPSIII. Journal Entry (Time Allotted 30 Minutes) List people and responsibilities that bring purpose to your life. 90. Action StepsIV. Team 7 discussion (Time allotted 20minutes.)For a purpose to truly become a goal,Intention drives the goal into the spirit thatmotivates all people to proceed in goodtimes and times of adversity. Whatdistinguishes our hopes from ourintentions? 91. ACTION STEPSV. Individual session (Time allotted 20 minutes) Mr. Bracco often speaks to large audiences on the subject of life skills and often recants the lyrics of a famous Country & Western singer, Live life like you were dying. What is the message here and how should we incorporate it into our approach to life every day? 92. SummaryTOOLS / TIME / ASSIGNMENTSInstrument Time AllottedGrade Impact %Class video5 MinutesTeam 7 Discussions60 minutesJournal Entries30 minutesIndividual Sessions20 minutesLectureHomework--:Read the next 50 pages of the 2 books listed as Required Reading:1. Living for Game Day2. Mans Search for Meaning