Lao Tzu – Goal-Setting
“A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”
Lao Tzu
Big Idea
Goal-setting is a skill of highly successful people. Some kids are really good at it. They map out their life events with certain outcomes in mind. Other kids just want to ‘go with the flow’ and goal-setting makes them nervous, unfulfilled and downright discouraged. Because the value of goal-setting is somewhat unclear, students must decide for themselves how they want to integrate it into their life activities. This will be a life-long challenge.
Claim
According to Ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, you shouldn’t have fixed goals in life. You should be more concerned with the journey, not the destination.
Counterclaim
Fixed goals and a clear destination are necessary ingredients for a successful life. Without them, we are lost and without purpose.
Essential
Question
Is goal-setting necessary for success?
Student Video
Walden – Goal-Setting
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Walden – Goal-Setting
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Outliers: The Story of Success – Goal-Setting
When having students read the nonfiction novel by journalist Malcolm Gladwell, Outliers: The Story of Success, I would use the Lao Tzu conversation to spark a discussion and debate about goal-setting ...
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