A Blueprint for Academic Excellence

I can do all things...Phil 4:13

A Blueprint For Academic Excellence

I was reading a business article/interview where T. Harv Eker (“Secrets of the Millionaire Mind”) was talking about everyone having a financial blueprint. He further postulated that our blueprint determines financial success or failure. Is there a blueprint that also determines academic success? I believe so.

Consider the number of times you may have heard someone say, “I’m not good at math.” How about when someone says, “I can’t…whatever.” They are operating from their blueprint. On the surface we may dismiss these comments with the idea or belief that the individual is making excuses or they are not trying hard enough. Instead we should be asking questions like where do these comments originate? Something in the past has created a less than positive outlook on succeeding academically. What was present at the time the academic blueprint was created?

If you are an educator or parent and have heard your students or children make these types of comments, it is important to find the root cause of the problem. It may have developed over time or at a particular moment. Nevertheless, the origin must be found. For example, when a building has mechanical or structural problems the best place to begin is with the original blueprint. The blueprint shows the inner workings of the building. As with a building, students’ comments (problems) as these (and others) can be found in their blueprint. Ineffective comments and/or beliefs are the symptoms of a poor blueprint. This does not, however, mean a person is prevented from being successful.

Any person who has a poor blueprint must have it redrawn or at a minimum, repair the location on the blueprint which needs to be repaired. In order to repair anything you must have the right tools. Through coaching, students can furnish or refurnish their toolbox with the proper tools and learn when to use them in order to repair or redraw their personal blueprint. Once they have redrawn the blueprint, then will they be able to get back on the right path to academic excellence.

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Herm Allen is an Academic & Career Coach residing in Clemson, SC. He has worked with students for over 15 years as a student development coordinator, career counselor, tutor coordinator and academic advisor. Herm has also taught career and study skills courses at the college level. He can be reached at herm@hermallencoaching.net. ©2006 Herm Allen