Praise the Effort, Not the Outcome

Do you start planning your teaching day by thinking:

"How could I best undermine my students today? How could I make sure they lose confidence, motivation and the desire to study Alexander's discovery with me?"

No, of course not.

Would it shock to know that you could be doing exactly that?

Not intentionally, but does it matter?

Teaching groups involves giving affirmation to students - but often teachers, in their desire to celebrate an achievement, affirm the wrong thing.

They affirm the result, instead of the effort that produced it.

I've seen it happen in BodyChance. I've been guilty of doing it my Self.

It goes like this: At the end of an arduous lesson, a musician finally plays BRILLIANTLY. With genuine love and enthusiasm, the teacher ENCOURAGES group feedback. Audience members say how wonderful it sounded; how clear it became; how moved they were by her music this time.

Everyone looks happy: teacher, musician and listeners. Great right?

WRONG. TERRIBLE.

What happens to the student after the lesson?

Well, suddenly now they have a "standard" they must reach. This gets praise. Which sets up - in their mind…

"If I don't get this standard, I don't deserve praise."

And what happens to the other students in the room?

Suddenly now they wonder:

"Can I play that well? Will my lesson be a success, or am I too stupid? Maybe I won't volunteer for a lesson today. I don't feel strong enough; next time. Maybe."

And suddenly you - the teacher - have managed to demotivate half your class. You didn't start out the day planning that, but this the result you got. AND…

The result you get, IS the communication you gave.

What do you do instead? You wait for tomorrow's Daily. (haha)

Starting July 11th, 2017 I will be running a first-time ever, online class on group teaching.

Details tomorrow. All you've got to do now, is to keep reading my Daily blog.