I'd like to start off by saying that this book should be part of any teacher education program. Not that the content is limited to teachers only, but the book is excellent in letting you know that not everything we do is worth getting all worked up.
Zander explains "Rule #6" as a depiction of a story he tells when he is trying to take a lighter look at the current situation. The story goes like this:
Two prime ministers are sitting in a room discussing affairs of state. Suddenly a man bursts in, apoplectic with fury, shouting and stamping and banging his fist on the desk. The resident prime minister admonishes him: “Peter,” he says, “kindly remember Rule Number 6,” whereupon Peter is instantly restored to complete calm, apologizes, and withdraws. The politicians return to their conversation, only to be interrupted yet again twenty minutes later by a hysterical woman gesticulating wildly, her hair flying. Again the intruder is greeted with the words: “Marie, please remember Rule Number 6.” Complete calm descends once more, and she too withdraws with a bow and an apology. When the scene is repeated for a third time, the visiting prime minister addresses his colleague: “My dear friend, I’ve seen many things in my life, but never anything as remarkable as this. Would you be willing to share with me the secret of Rule Number 6?” “Very simple,” replies the resident prime minister. “Rule Number 6 is ‘Don’t take yourself so seriously.’” “Ah,” says his visitor, “that is a fine rule.” After a moment of pondering, he inquires, “And what, may I ask, are the other rules?”
“There aren’t any.”
Humor is one of the few things that can cheer up a person or break the ice when tension is high. Having read most of the "
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" books years ago, I have learned to adopt this mantra as well as the Rule #6 to my daily life.
While I am a serious worker, I do feel that serious work can be completed and even enhanced if some humor is interjected periodically. Fun is contagious and when the brain is happy, good things happen.
The light hearted stories that Zanders used as examples complemented the concept of Rule #6 while I was able to relate to several of the scenarios in my personal life. Sometimes in our self-centered thinking we forget that our experiences, dilemmas, and decisions are not unique to us.
I like the laid-back nature of the text as well and agree that much more of what we do needs to be taken lightly. I also agree with your stance on humor. This is my number one way of building relationships with my students and it has helped me to grow closer with them throughout my career. It also helps break down barriers and teaches students that they, too, can take themselves lightly and enjoy life. It is all too true that our experiences are often shared by others and to remember that is to help us better relate to them.
ReplyDeleteDennis,
ReplyDeleteI agree wholeheartedly with your comments this week. Humor has an amazing ability to not only diffuse tense situations, but as you stated, enhance the ability to complete serious tasks as well. One of my favorite places in the world is summer camp. Camp is where kids are allowed to be kids. Anyone who remembers their summer camp experience remembers this sense of freedom from the stresses of life and the laughter that accompanies this. This concept of play and laughter creates some of the most defining and memorable experiences of a young person’s life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic.