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Happy school year

July 16, 2014Mike SisselBlog

untitledWith the start of a new school year fast approaching (at least in Arizona), I wanted to take a moment to address a critical skill that most students fail to practice.  It’s called mindset and believe it or not, it’s equally important to student success as the letter grades they will receive at the end of the first quarter. 

Parents, you know the drill.  The first few weeks of school, otherwise known as the honeymoon period, are relatively painless for your child as they celebrate the opportunity to be around their friends and the workload is manageable.  Unfortunately, in the weeks that follow, it might be common for your child to return home each day complaining about a certain class or teacher and how things just aren’t fair.  This is where the power of mindset can literally change their entire experience of school.

Below is a letter I’ve written for a pre-teen and teenage audience.  I invite you to share it with anyone who you think might benefit.

Dear Student Extraordinaire,

Whether you are ready for it or not, a new school year is upon us.  The desks are polished, the carpets are cleaned, the pencils are sharpened, and the chairs sit empty, waiting for you to occupy them on that first day. 

By the time you read this letter, you may already know your class schedule and/or your assigned teacher(s).  You might even find yourself dreading the one class or teacher that everyone has warned you about. 

“Oh, that class is so boring.”

“He/she lectures all of the time and is so unfair.”

“You are going to hate that class.  I am so glad I’m done with it.”

These are just a few of the statements that may be fighting for space in your mind as the first day of school draws near.  Despite the fact that you know these are simply OPO’s (Other People’s Opinions), you can’t help but wonder if they really are true. 

I have something I want to share with you that may just cause you to have the happiest school year yet.  Are you ready?

The classes you take and the teachers who teach them DO NOT determine your levels of happiness.  Your mindset DOES. 

Let me explain.

It’s common for students to ride what I call the emotional roller coaster throughout the year.  Depending on their interest in a particular class or teacher, their emotions can either be empowering or not.  Take for example, the class that your friend has warned you is extremely boring.  Chances are, the moment you walk into that class you will prepare yourself for boredom and look for all sorts of reasons to prove that it actually is boring.  Guess what?  The class itself is NOT boring.  Boredom is always a product of our thinking.  Having said this, you really have two choices.

  1. Spend each day being bored and blame the teacher or class for your mood.
  2. Change the way you think about the teacher or class and take ownership of your mood.

If you’re looking for the easy route, you are welcome to blame the teacher or class.  However, despite your best efforts, blaming will never change anything.  If you’re looking to be happy, I invite you to be curious and creative about the way you see this experience. 

Here are some examples.

“This class is teaching me the importance of patience.”

“My teacher may not be teaching the way I would, but the information they are sharing is valuable to me.”

“When I walk into this class, I’m going to choose an attitude of gratitude.”

The choice is yours.  Your thoughts can literally change your experience with regard to school.  Don’t let school dictate your emotions.  You have the power to do this yourself.

Here’s to your happiest school year yet.

Sincerely,

Mike Sissel – former teenager

 

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“Mike has an amazing ability to reach our children and to challenge their thinking. His positive outlook and desire to help every child be the best they can be is inspiring. My daughter comes home from her time with him with a smile on her face and new words of wisdom to share with me.  My 13 year old son watches his motivational videos and every time turns to me and says "He is so right. Everything he is saying is so true".  So thankful to have him in my children's lives.”  
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2017-09-14T14:39:25-07:00

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“Mr. Sissel has been an incredible positive influence for my kids! Every time he goes to their school they look forward to learning something new from him! I have a teen and preteen and they have had him for the last several years and have quoted his lessons to us at home. Mr. Sissel has a special gift of teaching ALL ages with passion and dedication and truly knows how to connect with his audience, which makes it fun. I have also recommended him as one on one coaching for my dear friend’s son after she went through a divorce and her son was acting out and his insight truly helped her.”
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2017-09-14T15:05:04-07:00

Kim Roberts-Johson

“Wow! What an amazing person! We are so fortunate to have Mike Sissel in our lives. Having two daughters that compete, I cannot thank him enough for all of valuable lessons learned. He empowers my girls with tools and strategies to become not only better athletes but better people. He helps them to build strong character traits that will benefit them long after their time in completion has come to an end. He's had a positive influence on the mindset of our entire family and for that we are truly blessed.”
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“Having been in the coaching profession for many years, I’ve gained the most satisfaction by having the opportunity to help shape the character of my players, ultimately preparing them for life beyond baseball. Mike Sissel is a masterful coach who shares a similar passion for the 'game of life'. His ability to connect with athletes is unmatched. If you have an opportunity for Mike to work with your team, it will truly be the 'gift' that will keep on giving. He has been a blessing to my family.”

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2018-05-23T09:46:00-07:00

Pat Murphy

“Having been in the coaching profession for many years, I’ve gained the most satisfaction by having the opportunity to help shape the character of my players, ultimately preparing them for life beyond baseball. Mike Sissel is a masterful coach who shares a similar passion for the 'game of life'. His ability to connect with athletes is unmatched. If you have an opportunity for Mike to work with your team, it will truly be the 'gift' that will keep on giving. He has been a blessing to my family.”
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“The power of positivity is infectious and Mr. Sissel has a real gift of helping others believe that they have the mental strength within themselves to get past whatever they might be struggling with. We were introduced to Mike through Gold Medal Gymnastics and seeing the impact he has made on the lives of so many including our daughter is astounding. He helped her to overcome the feelings of insecurity, feeling bullied and showed her how to focus and 'change her lens' so that she could perform successfully.”

 

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2017-09-14T15:02:28-07:00

Fred Sanchez

“The power of positivity is infectious and Mr. Sissel has a real gift of helping others believe that they have the mental strength within themselves to get past whatever they might be struggling with. We were introduced to Mike through Gold Medal Gymnastics and seeing the impact he has made on the lives of so many including our daughter is astounding. He helped her to overcome the feelings of insecurity, feeling bullied and showed her how to focus and 'change her lens' so that she could perform successfully.”  
https://kaleidoeye.com/testimonials/fred-sanchez/
“Mr Sissel has been such an unbelievably positive presence both at Gold Medal Gymnastics and at our daughter's school, CEE. There is always enthusiasm and excitement when she knows that they will be having a session with him. The topics that he addresses are so important and he helps the kids see not only life's big picture, but also how individually they can make a real difference for themselves and those around them with their choices. We are thankful and look forward to more work with him in the future.”

 

Margo Ingram

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2017-09-14T15:04:38-07:00

Margo Ingram

“Mr Sissel has been such an unbelievably positive presence both at Gold Medal Gymnastics and at our daughter's school, CEE. There is always enthusiasm and excitement when she knows that they will be having a session with him. The topics that he addresses are so important and he helps the kids see not only life's big picture, but also how individually they can make a real difference for themselves and those around them with their choices. We are thankful and look forward to more work with him in the future.”  
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2018-05-23T09:49:19-07:00

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“Our school mission has always been to educate the 'whole child', including their social and emotional development. Mike’s contribution to this mission, through the delivery of his meaningful, engaging lessons, has made a lasting impact on our school culture. In addition to the rich content he shares with our students, the energy he brings to each classroom is contagious. He has been an inspiration to our staff and students and truly lives the leadership principles he teaches.”
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"At Nike, I like to say ‘You Own Your Career’, Mike presented to my team and provided them with strategies & tools that inspired them to take ownership of their actions, performance, and careers. It was Motivational Coaching that impacted all attendees – regardless of their roles. All team members learned what behaviors make good leaders, and that all of us can be a leader. Mike was an energetic, passionate and effective presenter. I look forward to seeing my team practicing and implementing these skills into their Personal & Professional Developmental Plans.”

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2018-05-23T09:41:45-07:00

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"At Nike, I like to say ‘You Own Your Career’, Mike presented to my team and provided them with strategies & tools that inspired them to take ownership of their actions, performance, and careers. It was Motivational Coaching that impacted all attendees – regardless of their roles. All team members learned what behaviors make good leaders, and that all of us can be a leader. Mike was an energetic, passionate and effective presenter. I look forward to seeing my team practicing and implementing these skills into their Personal & Professional Developmental Plans.”
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“Mike Sissel is an amazing man. With a positive force driving his ultimate vision to help the world be a better place, he reminds young and old what it means to be and do good by finding it in within. His practical steps are accessible to children and admired by adults. Whether he facilitates a retreat, in-service, assembly, or consults, positive and tangible results will be the outcome. I highly recommend him!”

Greg Hebert

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2018-05-23T09:48:39-07:00

Greg Hebert

“Mike Sissel is an amazing man. With a positive force driving his ultimate vision to help the world be a better place, he reminds young and old what it means to be and do good by finding it in within. His practical steps are accessible to children and admired by adults. Whether he facilitates a retreat, in-service, assembly, or consults, positive and tangible results will be the outcome. I highly recommend him!”
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