The Life Wedge, a model that allows students to organize their goals while diagramming the role of their current activities in reaching them, and helps them understand mature dreams. The visual representation of this concept tremendously aids in the retention and advancement of visual learners! Chapter one and throughout book.
Values and Noble Cause identification; helping students to attach their personal goals to causes greater than themselves; the use of heroes’ efforts and values to foster discussion; assistance in determining endeavors worthy of one’s best efforts. These let students map out their personal goals rather than follow someone else’s, making text more relevant to the everyday student. Chapters two and throughout the book.
The Crossroads Principle, a concept that helps to capitalize on experiences that intersect students’ lives, utilizing them for goal and values clarification. These exercises give students real-life scenarios they can relate to, increasing students engagement with the text and the course. Chapter three and throughout book.
Willpower & Waypower concepts; utilizing the Hope Scale, finding pathways to goals, and sustaining efforts. New concepts encourage students to pursue their efforts, providing them with tools to help keep them going; chapters four and five.
Vertigo exercises—an innovative way to frame and overcome distractions that often limit a student’s success. These exercises give students a novel way to stay focused in school and in their everyday lives; chapter eight.
Big Picture Approach—numerous key stories that provide a reference point for discussions about personal achievement and commitments, connections to general education classes; chapter six.
The S.T.I.C. Method—taking control of one’s education by stopping, thinking through the options, imagining, committing to your plan; chapter seven.
Narrative introductions—Features selected from the author’s newsprint series "Buck Creek Chronicles" (published in Chicago Tribune) that use life experiences to begin the section’s discussion; before chapters one, four, and seven.
Journal exercises allow for students’ personal reflection on specific aspects of the chapters. In each chapter.
2010