THE PRESENTATION
ON THE EDGE
Helping Students Succeed on the Edge of Their Comfort Zone
We often associate stepping outside your comfort zone with big, bold, audacious endeavors. As a professional rock climbing guide and world-record-holding sword swallower, Roderick Russell knows all about living life at the extremes, and how to help others get there.
But he also knows that in actual fact, today’s youth and young adults don’t need to be pushed at all to find their edge – they’re already there.
Between the pressures of navigating school, home and social life, to the ever changing nature of technology and how it impacts those fundamental experiences, more than ever students are having to deal with challenging thoughts. Add to it universal stage-of-life concerns, and it’s easy to understand why a full 85% of students report feeling overwhelmed, while almost 42% of them present with anxiety as their top concern. (Anxiety and Depression Association of America)
What students need is not always encouragement to push harder. Instead, they need to be armed with proven, evidence-based tools and techniques to help them succeed in the face of their existing overwhelming responsibilities. A new way of thinking that turns all those old motivational cliches on their heads and gives them a new way to relate to challenging thoughts, stress and anxiety. Solid and actionable techniques that help them to not only work through their existing challenges, but build self-motivation to take it even further.
Combining stories from an adventurous life, sharing pain from a childhood steeped in trauma, and illustrated with a never-to-be-forgotten demonstration, Roderick Russell provides a fresh and exciting look into how to perform your best while at the edge of your comfort zone – wherever that may be.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
As a result of this program, students will be able to:
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- Decrease avoidance behaviors
- Build resilience
- Increase willingness to undertake difficult acts
- Keep a cool head under stress
- Unhook and gain distance from challenging thoughts
- Take committed action toward valued outcomes
- Better navigate the demands and pressures of their social structure
- Increase tolerance and compassion
PROGRAMMING IDEAS:
Leadership, Orientation, First Year Experience, Mental Health, General Assembly, Diversity, Social Justice, Suicide Prevention, Motivation
FORMAT:
45 to 60 minute presentation with optional Q&A
STUDENT WORKSHOP
ON THE EDGE : For Students
Helping Students Succeed on the Edge of Their Comfort Zone
A perfect compliment to the presentation or delivered as a stand-alone workshop, this hands-on, interactive training will walk students through the process of noticing, identifying and working with their most challenging thoughts, wherever they may encounter them.
Through group exercises, demonstrations, masterclass-style instruction and one-on-one coaching, students will walk away armed with evidence-based techniques to thrive in the face of challenge.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
As a result of this program, students will be able to:
-
- Learn the six skills necessary to succeed under pressure.
- Identify the four things that can jeopardize their success.
- Learn a clear process to respond to difficult thoughts, feelings and sensations.
- Identify their true values.
- Understand how to commit to taking action even when things get tough.
FORMAT:
Flexible to meet need and scheduling demands, from 2 hours to full day.
TEACHER WORKSHOP
ON THE EDGE: For Teachers
Helping Teachers Succeed on the Edge of Their Comfort Zone
A perfect compliment to the presentation or delivered as a stand-alone workshop, this hands-on, interactive training pitched directly toward adults will walk you through the process of noticing, identifying and working with challenging thoughts, wherever you may encounter them.
Through group exercises, demonstrations, masterclass-style instruction and one-on-one coaching, teachers will walk away armed with evidence-based techniques to thrive in the face of challenge – and help their students do the same.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
As a result of this program, teachers will be able to:
-
- Learn the six skills necessary to succeed under pressure.
- Identify the four things that can jeopardize their success.
- Learn a clear process to respond to difficult thoughts, feelings and sensations.
- Identify their true values.
- Understand how to commit to taking action even when things get tough.
- Learn how to coach these behaviors in students.
- The “encouragement” that students do not find helpful.
- Maintain a level head even when things get hectic or overwhelming.