Persuasion

Today's word is "persuasion."

I am often asking my children to change their minds about something, to convince them that their opinions (on say something like...what they want for dinner) are misguided and uninformed.  I provide them with evidence to the contrary, proving beyond a doubt, that mother really does know best.  Children need to be persuaded to:

-- brush their teeth effectively (or you'll get cavities).

-- clean up their rooms (that's how you earn screen time/allowance).

-- take a sweater (it's not cold now, but it might be later).

It's mother's prerogative to dispense with all kinds of wisdom given her wealth of experience in all things related to childhood.  If children could be convinced to listen to mother, all would be right with the world.

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I've been thinking lately about the students I have in my classes.  I should not have to give them reasons why it's important for them to do the work required for the class.  Didn't they sign up for the class?  Didn't they invest the fees and purchase the books?  And while I muse about why I shouldn't have to do this, the fact remains that I am part cheerleader, convincing my students everyday about the value inherent in working for something.  If you do the work, you'll be rewarded with pride in the outcome.  If you slack off, your success is directly related to your effort.

I can only make my pitch, and then get out of the way of their actions.  They're outcome is not a reflection of my effort; it's theirs. (This rings true for the children, too, by the way.)

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Sometimes, although not as much lately, I have to persuade myself to believe in myself.  I am extremely self-deprecating.  If you're even perused this blog a little bit, you can see that I have doubted myself at every turn.  This is the year, however, that I turn that around and start acting with integrity, standing up for what I believe in and not second guessing myself.  I'm thinking that I'm going to be hard to convince, but I'm hoping that I can give myself enough examples of how I'm doing the best I can do (see this, and this) and that what other moms, co-workers, friends, acquaintances are doing or feeling about me is none of my business.  That ought to do it--my life, my way.

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How do you use persuasion?