E79 (Challenge): Let's Empathize with the Four Agreements

Welcome to the design thinking challenge!

​I am excited to explore the design thinking challenge through different lenses that you may have not considered before.  This is how my brain works.  I make connections between unrelated texts and somehow it works.  Let’s do this!

The four agreements

Recently, I stumbled on a video on LinkedIn about Cognitive Behavioral Theory by Joe Amabile, a seasoned IB educator. This video highlighted the idea that everyone responds to things that happen in the world based on their beliefs and identity. This demonstrated the connection between our reactions during a typical school day to our deep rooted beliefs and identity that has been developed over a lifetime.

After watching Joe’s video, my friend Mondrea Mitchell recommended the book, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz,. In reading this book, I found practical ways to implement cognitive behavioral theory into my life. These agreements are simple to understand, but they require intentional thought and reflection. You will soon find yourself stopping your thought process and stating to yourself, "Stop taking that personally" and "Don't make assumptions about this situation." I am doing it throughout the day, which means I'm on the way to creating a new set of beliefs about my identity.

​After some time with the Four Agreements, I realized that empathy is the foundation of it all.  We cannot move forward as a human being, let alone an organization, without assessing where we are in employing empathy regularly in our practice.  With that in mind, read the summary of each of the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. 

The Challenge

​As educators, we are always trying to improve ourselves, so we will begin with a deep reflection of our daily practice by answering some questions.  There will be several choices for each agreement and you only need to answer the ones that resonate at this time.  

Be impeccable with your word

• How can you show love for yourself?
• How do your interactions with others show the love you have for yourself?
• Why do you regularly speak against yourself?
• How has gossip become the main form of our communication?
• How might you take responsibility for your actions while not judging or blaming yourself? 

​Don’t Take Anything Personally

• How do other people’s words impact your life? (good or bad)
• How has social media changed how you look at yourself?
• How might taking things personally be a sign of selfishness?
• How can emotions make you an easy prey for manipulation? 

​Don’t Make Assumptions

• What inferences do you make based on your prior experiences?
• How does the “feeling of knowing” turn into truth?
• What is the connection between drama, sadness, and making assumptions?
• How might asking questions dispel myths?
• How can you find your own voice to ask for what you want?

Always Do Your Best

• How can showing empathy everyday make you a better person?
• What is the connection between doing your best and living your best life?
• How does taking action enhance your life?
• How can looking at your mistakes with honest eyes increase your awareness?
• How might taking responsibility for your own life help you to enjoy it more fully?

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​Notice, these questions did not focus on school specific topics, because we are trying to get to the root beliefs, feelings, experiences that shape our identity.  Usually, they have happened outside of school, but they greatly impact how we operate within them on a daily basis. This is very deep, but it has certainly made me stop to think about how I am contributing to the school culture and building empathy. 

If you have any questions or thoughts, please post on Twitter @thinkchat2020 or LinkedIn at Lu Gerlach.  I look forward to learning from you.